Epic formulas in the texts of the Shor epic “Meret-oolak” / “Meret Olak with a magic horse”

Abstract

The paper deals with two texts of the epic “Meret-oolaq” and “Meret Olak with a magic horse” (Meret sar attyg Meret Oolaq) performed by D. K. Turushpanov and transcribed by different speakers of the Shor language, I. Ya. Arbachakov and L. N. Arbachakova. Both texts were textually analyzed to reveal the epic formulas. A preliminary comparison of the two deciphered texts showed that both texts had been made from the one recording. Referring to the audio-recording of the epic under study as the only source to be legitimately called the primary source, we followed the main principle of practical textual study, the research material authenticity. We have deciphered the epic “Meret Olak with a magic horse” and reproduced most accurately the epic formulas woven into the heroic epic. In addition, we conducted a comparative textual analysis of the previously available deciphering made in the early 1980s. We have found some distortions in I. Ya. Arbachakov’s version. These are errors, abbreviations, replacements of individual formulas with synonymous ones. In addition, some well-known epic formulas were lost or partially distorted and some lines were omitted. All these factors resulted in the impoverishment of the language of the epic. Pursuing the task of authentic demonstration of epic texts and their deep textual elaboration, we have succeeded in reproducing lost or distorted formulas and stable expressions and thus contribute to the preservation of the rich language of epic singers.