<i>ČUŽ UČI̮PI NO ŠUIŚKO KE..,</i> OR ON THE SYMBOLISM OF THE NIGHTINGALE IN THE UDMURT SONG CULTURE
The paper deals with the semantics of the expression čuž uči̮ ‘a yellow nightingale' and the image of the nightingale in Udmurt folk songs. The investigation is based on the analysis of Udmurt and Tatar song lyrics. It is concluded that the image of a yellow nightingale originated in the Tatar song culture and then spread to the Udmurt folklore. There are several reasons for the formation of this image: 1) the sound closeness of two words - sairyj ‘[a bird] chirps, sings' and sary ‘yellow'; 2) secretive lifestyle of a nightingale; 3) cultural and psychological perception of the yellow colour. The paper also clarifies the origin of the Udmurt word uči̮ ‘a nightingale'. Analysis of song lyrics revealed the symbolism of the nightingale in Udmurt folk culture. In most cases it is presented as a symbol of love (love experiences, lover) and in this respect it is primarily associated with youth and spring. In addition, the image of the nightingale is endowed with marital symbolism (that has its parallels in Russian folk culture), and attributed some other symbolic meanings. The image of a yellow nightingale in contrast to an “ordinary” nightingale is more vivid and emotionally charged. Its image is primarily associated with positive emotions and feelings, and it also symbolizes sadness and melancholy.