Russian prepositions v and na

[Georges Adassovsky]

At 9:35 PM 5/27/96, Caroleen En Joop wrote:

>        Dear Seelangers,
>
>        Who knows anything about a theory on spatial relations expressed
>        by the russian prepositions 'v' and 'na' that says:
>        'v' is used for buildings that are situated in the city (teatr)
>        'na' is used for buildings situated outside the city (zavod).
>
>        Who knows of any other theories/ articles/ books on the use of thes=
e
>        prepositions in spatial relations.

I don't beleive there is possible to establish a general theory concerning
localizing prepositions, because the use of this prepositions is half a
linguistic fact, half a cultural one.
The linguistic fact is : objects are located in relation with a
one-dimension space (ponctual or linear), a two-dimensions space, or a
three-dimensions space.
The cultural fact  is : a given language locates each object its own way.

One object may be localized in a two-dimensions space by one language, and
in another space by another language.French "j'habite =E0 Paris", one
dimension,Paris is seen as a point, English "I live in Paris" three
dimensions, Paris is seen as a volume.

The cultural fact comes from ancient times, and can't be related to general
rules. For example, a river may have been a convenient means for travelling
(vikings), an obstacle (nomadic people), or a fertilizing element enabling
sedentarization (Tigre, Euphrates, Nil).

The problem is worsened with languages that indicate directionality, with
special prepositions or cases.

Ja idu v Parizh (3 dimensions + directionality) Ja zhivu v Parizhe (3
dimensions, static).Same preposition, different cases.
Je vais =E0 Paris (one dimension), j'habite =E0 Paris (one dimension).Same
preposition, no indication of directionality.
I go to Paris (directionality), I live in Paris (3 dimensions, static).
Different prepositions.

I am affraid we have to learn how is localized each object and which
preposition it demands when studying a language.

Georges.