Lexical-Semantic Analysis of Socio-Political Lexemes in the Altïn Orda Khan Tokhtamysh’s yarlïğ to Grand Duke Jogaila

Abstract

The article examines the language of the historical document, Yarlïğ, the message
from Altïn Orda (The Golden Horde) Khan Toktamysh to the Grand Duke of Lithuania and
then King of Poland, Wladyslaw Jogaila, which was published approximately in 1393. In the
era of Altïn Orda, Jochid rulers issued many decrees and messages both for internal affairs and
external relations. These decrees and messages contain rich historical and linguistic information.
During the rule of Altïn Orda, there is a significant part of these letters were written in the
Kipchak language. The study of the linguistic system of these edicts and decrees, particularly
the lexical semantics, is relevant and necessary for Turkic studies. The article aims to examine
the socio-political lexemes of the document, reveal their semantic potentials in syntagmatic and
paradigmatic relations, and mark word-forming associative units as a part of the semantic field
based on the text. To accomplish the purposes, the author also uses etymological and comparative
methods. The study on the semantics of the Yarlïğ makes it possible to interpret the cultural and
socio-political situation of the Eurasia Steppe under the rule of Altïn Orda from a new perspective.