Adjectival predicate “bad/good” with the pronoun I

Abstract

This article explores one type of construction in the Russian language, specifically the “I + adjectival predicate” structure. The adjectival predicate in this construction reflects the instability of self-identification and self-presentation. The composition of adjectives in this construction provides valuable insights into historical changes in self-perception. Using the examples “I am good” and “I am bad”, we examine the possibility of removing the restriction on negative self-characterization. Both adjectives can convey positive or negative evaluations of oneself, and these evaluations can be used for manipulative purposes. Through corpus data analysis, we uncover the cyclical nature of filling the frame of autocharacterization with evaluative adjectives. The dynamics of each variant of filling the frame is complex and follows a non-linear curve. This article is based on a paper presented at the 7th International Research Symposium “Russian Grammar: Constants, Contexts, Perspectives” (October 10–14, 2023, Tyumen, Russia).