WOMIDZ 'EVIL EYE' AS A PHENOMENON OF VERBAL MAGIC OF THE KOMI-ZYRYANS

Abstract

Belief in the evil eye is among the rare universals of human culture, which still does not have a satisfactory explanation. The author proposes to focus on the traditional ideas of the Komi-Zyryans about the in the evil eye, which make it possible to assert their original verbal-magical character. The concept put forward by the author is based on the following definition is put forward by the author of the concept: “ Womidz is an unintentional, spontaneously induced verbal-magical effect with a negative result, due to the linguistic semantics of the word- womidz . The verbal component underlying the magical act can be expressed by direct speech or is associated with the verbalization by the addressee of unspoken thoughts and intentions of the addressere”. This provision is proved by the analysis of folk terminology and a wide range of phenomena characteristic of the notions of spoilage. According to the author's position, the verbal-magic act of vomidz can be presented in the form of a communicative model: addressere (sender of the word- womidz ) - verbal message (word- womidz ) - addressee (recipient of the message) and object of damage- womidz ; this object can be either the addressee himself or any object of vital importance to him, which is in the field of view.