BEZGLAGOLSKE OPTATIVNE KONSTRUKCIJE U SRPSKOM JEZIKU

Abstract

This paper analyzes the verbless constructions used to express optative meanings, i.e. reduced sentential models which comprise an object of desire and, optionally, an addressee. Based on the semantic type of optative mood expressed, the models are classified as greetings, salutations, good wishes in general, blessings, and oaths. Each semantic sub-type requires a specific structural, i.e. syntactic construction, but substantive and adverbial types of constructions are most commonly used for these purposes. The most frequent model among the substantives is N1 or N4 (Srećni praznici / Laku noć); among adverbial models, the most common forms are adverbial expressions with positive meanings (Srećno/Uzdravlje).