The Meteonym Rain in the Traditional Speech Culture of the Russian North

The article determines the scopeand content of this universal concept,characteristic of the speakers of the traditional folk culture of the Russian North based onthe analysis of the semantics and compatibility of the word rain andits derivatives. Attributive compatibility is mainly relatedto the statement of the objective properties of rain, and alsoexpresses their generalassessment – tuchnoj (heavy rain), morokovoj (drizzling rain), zalivnoj (torrential rain), gromovoj (thunderous rain), torokovoj (squally rain). Predicates of rain representit asan activesubject in motion.Its manifestationsat differentstages are represented asfalling from above, flying,swimming, walking, running,jumping, rolling. Raincan frighten with an attack - to frighten, to show aggression – to beat, to lash, to whip, to chop, to squeeze, to rushat someone.Rain falling as a processindependent of anyone's will is described by its predicatesas weaklyflowing – zapobryzgivalo (splashed), zasitushilo (extinguished), zabryzgalo (spattered). Verbal metaphors represent rain as a living beingwhom one can askfor help. Rainmay turn a deaf ear to the request, or it may appear as an unexpected guest. Signsand beliefsrelated to rain are preserved in the dialects.

The analysis of the compatibility properties of precipitation designations allows us to form a clear image of the RAIN asit is seen by the bearers of the traditional folkculture of the Russian North. The language reflects both the realistic and mythologicalperception of rainy weather,conveys the worldview of a person who isin the epicenter of natural events,cognizing them andtrying to use them forhis practicalneeds.