In the dialogues of the epic “The Daredevils of Sassoun”, the syntax (subject-expressing speech, verb-predicate-indirect object) and the content of the author's speech mostly remain the same. This is due to the fact that the above mentioned components do not always have a verbal expression which, however, as a rule, is implied. In numerous versions of the epic, most often the author’s speech is found only with a predicate expressed mainly with a verb ասել “to say”, which, as a result of extension of the lexical meaning, is used not only in the narrative but also in the combination with direct speech with different semantic shades.

Keywordsverbs of speech narrator subject dialogue ellipsis combine with vocative author’s speech syntax epic direct speech.

In 1964, under the auspice of the Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography of the Academy of Sciences of Armenia, I have a scientific trip to Pyatigorsk to study the ethnic Armenians living there. When I reached my destination, I was informed that there was a district where Armenians of Karabakh (Artsakh) lived. For me, as a folklorist-ethnographer, it was interesting to know what changes they had undergone under the conditions of coexistence with the local people, whether they remained sincere to the traditions of their cradle, etc.

KeywordsPyatigorsk Karabakh Artsakh Russia narrator oral tradition epic lyric and saying folklore Armenian dialect.

In the original collection of the epic “Sasna Tsrer” (“Daredevils of Sassoun”), since 1936 the geonym “Hadrbejan” or “Azerbaijan” is mentioned, which, during the period of the USSR, was associated with the neighboring Azerbaijani SSR. Our research suggests that the above is based only on two versions recorded from Moks’ (Western Armenia) narrators who traveled abroad in the late 19th century. The narrators meant the historical Aturpatakan (Atropatene), i.e. Iranian Azerbaijan. Moreover, in one version the geonym is mentioned instead of Gurjistan (Georgia). Meanwhile, in other versions of the epic, other geonyms appear in these episodes, primarily China and India.

Keywords“Sasna Tsrer” epic Hadrbejan (Azerbaijan) Aturpatakan Gurjistan (Georgia) Iran M. Abeghian S. Kanayan narrator Gorgiz (Gorgi)