Būti ar nebūti „žingeidžiam“

Standard Language 2025, No. 98, pp. 1–16 Contents link ISSN 2351-7204 (electronic / online) Copyright © 2025 Daiva Murmulaitytė. Published by the Institute of the Lithuanian Language. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Licence, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited. // Published by the Lithuanian Language Institute. This article is open access, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which allows unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction of the content in any media, provided that the author and source are acknowledged. Received: / Gauta: 2025-09-09. Accepted: / Priimta: 2025-10-03. 1 To Be Or Not To Be (2016) - Filmweb DAIVA MURMULAITYTĖ Institute of Lithuanian Language El. email: daiva.murmulait[email protected] ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3826-7272 Research fields: word formation, lexicography, lexicology. https://doi.org/10.35321/bkalba.2025.98.07 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ANNOTATION The article discusses the conformity of the adjective žingeidus, -i and its derivatives to the general Lithuanian language norms. This word, which appeared in the 19th century, has been corrected for more than 120 years because of its origin, morphology and semantics, and is considered a translation from German, Polish or Russian that does not comply with the Lithuanian language construction rules. However, the -i is still used and has a considerable number of related words. It is often disputed that it is non-normative, mainly based on the fact that the proposed substitute curious, -i, has no identical meaning. After evaluating the curiosities of the adjective, -i morphology, verb and semantics, synonymic relationships, reviewing the history of norming and correction motives, examining the current usage not only of the adjective itself, but also of verb-related words, it becomes clear that there are enough reasons to admit it into the normative language. Then the word žingeidus, -i and its most commonly used vedic forms should also appear in the normative General Lithuanian Dictionary. The dictionary articles of these words should reflect their semantic relationship with the adjective smalsus, -i and the derivatives of the latter, their differences in meaning and usage. KEY WORDS: curious, general language norms, evaluation, translator, word formation, semantics. ABSTRACT The article discusses the adjective žingeidus and its derivatives in relation to the norms of standard Lithuanian. This word, which appeared in the 19th century, has been corrected for more than 120 years due to its origin, morphology, and semantics. It is considered a non-standard calque from German, Polish, or Russian that does not comply with Lithuanian word formation rules. However, it is still in use and has a considerable number of cognates. Its non-standard nature is often disputed because the proposed replacement, smalsus, does not have the same meaning. After evaluating the morphology, derivation, semantics, and synonymic relationships of the adjective žingeidus, reviewing the history of its codification and the reasons for its correction, and examining the current usage of not only the adjective itself but also its derivatives, it becomes clear that there are sufficient reasons to include it in the standard language. Then, žingeidus and its most commonly used derivatives žingeidžiai and žingeidumas should also appear in the Dictionary of the Standard Lithuanian Language. The dictionary entries for these words should reflect their semantic relationship with the adjective smalsus and its derivatives, as well as the differences in their meanings and usage. KEYWORDS: žingeidus ‘inquisitive, curious’, standard language norms, calque, word formation, semantics. 2 INTRODUCTION In the Consultation Bank of the State Lithuanian Language Commission (VLKK), answering the question whether the word žingeidus should be used, it is written: The word žingeidus, -i is not given in the “General Lithuanian Language Dictionary”, the “Modern Lithuanian Language Dictionary” (in the 6th edition of the “Modern Lithuanian Language Dictionary” the word žingeidus, -i is considered as not to be given, it was created on the basis of examples from other languages, cf. German neugierig, Russian liubopytnyj). When you want to name a person who is interested in everything, who wants to know everything, in common language you can use kurisus, -i or the compound siekiantis (-i) žinių. The adjective domus, -i can be used for the meaning of “interested in”; value „like to think, think” – mąslus, -i. 1 Therefore, in the main normative sources of lexicography the adjective zingeidus, -i is not present. This indicates that this adjective is not suitable for common language, since the 2 current normative dictionaries (BLKŽ, DLKŽ7, DLKŽ8) do not list words that should not be used or avoided (cf. previous editions of DLKŽ, in which such words were included with the mark ntk. (= not suitable)). They are not included in the heading, explained or illustrated by examples of use, regardless of whether they meet the criterion of frequency of use. Frequent use cannot be a 3 reason for a word to become normative if it does not meet the requirements of the normative lexicon – for example, it is incorrectly made, incorrectly translated, etc. 4 “Nevertheless, some of them are already in use for various reasons, although they are considered non-normative or worth considering, still raise discussions about their normativity. It is stated that their formation <…> can be explained by Lithuanian word formation rules, or semantics – the system of meanings of Lithuanian words (for example, <…> adjective zingeidus, -i)“ (Miliūnaitė 2022: 160). The public is indeed occasionally confused by the lack of understanding or indignation at the fact that this word is not accepted into common language. Writer Kristina Sabaliauskaitė misses him on almost every occasion, writing in 2019: “I never consider many of the ‘great language mistakes’ and ‘unpresentable words’ to be mistakes, but simply living language – the writer or person decides at his own discretion when and where to use it. Therefore, I will use the word “zingeidus” as much as I like, because it is incredibly beautiful to 1 me and it begins Vytautas Mačernis’ great poem “Distances https://vlkk.lt/konsultacijos/3948-zingeidus; Retrieved 2025-08-04. 2 At the time of writing this article, the BLKŽ is not yet completed, so it does not contain all the vocabulary planned to be presented. However, the words beginning with the letter ž have already been announced, and curieus, -i is not among them. 3 In the first edition of DLKŽ (1954) the adjective žingeidus, -i article is not present at all. In the second edition (1972) this word is presented as curiosus (note that the latter MRL2 has two meanings, the second lexicon denoting curiosus). In the third edition, zingeidus, -i has the note ntk. and refers only to the first meaning of the adjective smalsus. After the seventh edition, the -i is not included in the DLKZ again. 4 "A lot of people use the word curious instead of curious. But neither in the spoken language of the people nor in our older writings we find this word, it appears only later, e.g. In the writings of Valančius. The construction of this adjective is very unusual for our language. This would be a person who "greeds for knowledge". It will most likely be drawn from the German neugierig or Russian lubbozna-tel'nyj. There are very few of them. We are not inclined to form compound adjectives with the ending -us." (1970-05; https://www.laiskailietuviams.lt/index.php/vol-211970m/1970m-5-geguzis/3200-gimtasis-zodis, žiūrėta 2025-08-07). The language of the quotes and examples of authentic usage has not been corrected here and further. 3 feeling’.’ Others simply don’t understand why it is “obstinately unsuitable for use”, or 5 ironically think: “<…> one bad word is so vibrant that maybe linguists should give up? <…> is 6 that curious being still being fought? For more than 100 years; and still full of it <…>.“ 7 The aim of this article is to review the history and motivation of the correction of the adjective kuringeidus, -i and to re-evaluate whether and how strictly it should be corrected. To achieve this goal, the origin of the word, semantic and morphological characteristics, construction, constructive and semantic relationships, current usage were examined. To solve these problems, analytical descriptive, computational, semantic and word formation analysis methods were applied. The adjective žingeidus, -i is a novelization of Motiejus Valančius (1801–1875), the writer also used the abstract žingeida ‘the desire for science, knowledge’ 8 (Skardžius 1996 [1943]: 596; (Sabrina 1990: 289). In the LKŽ the word is marked as newly appeared in dialects, and examples of the 9 use of the first lexicon (‘smalsus’) are presented from Plungė, Tilžė, Kairiai (Šiaulių r.), Vedic – and elsewhere in Lithuania. Used by writers – Vincas Kudirka, Žemaitė, Ieva Simonaitytė. The LKŽ and Utenos, fiksuota šio žodžio vartosenos ir Ylakiuose (Skuodo r.), Žagarėje (Joniškio r.), various corrections show that Vaižgantas, Krėvė, Vincas Pietaris, Lazdynų Pelėda used the words of his nest, not to mention the current writers, whose usage was not recorded in the LKŽ, the final source of Lithuanian lexicon of the 16th to 20th centuries, which was completed in 2002 and is no longer supplemented with new language facts. It was often used and is still used in colloquial language, although consistently (both the adjective and its derivatives), starting with J. Jablonski 10 (Jablonskis 1959: 56, 154, 284, 306, 333 and others), corrected. 11 5 https://www.bernardinai.lt/2019-02-18-rašytoja-k-sabaliauskaite-neturiu-karjeros/; Retrieved 2024-08-05. Later, the writer has spoken even worse: “<…> use the beautiful Mačernis word ‘zingeidus’ and you will be persecuted, because some glushius for you and for Vytautas Mačernis decided that the word ‘invalid and unuseful’” (2020-05-07; https://www.15min.lt/kultura/naujiena/literatura/kristina-sabaliauskaite-priesinkimescenzurai-kasdien-ir-visada-- 286-1314558; accessed 2024-08-05); “<…> Mačernis’s “žingeidus” becomes an “unpresentable book novelty” <…> I myself once endured the ad hominem insults of a language editor defending my right to use the beautiful Lithuanian word “žingeidus” – I had to send her Vytautas Mačernis’s poem “Distancijos jausmas...” with the first line “Kai kas be galo būna žingeidus...” However, in the opinion of linguists and the VLKK – V. Mačernis is no authority, and the word “žingeidus” is not to be presented, because, I quote, “it is an avoidable book novelty”. Instead of it, the VLKK insists on using “sophisticated” (unfortunately, not the same as curious), “knowledge-seeking” (clumsy and bureaucratic) and... their unnatural newcomer “interesting”. (2023-11-12; https://www.lrt.lt/naujienos/nuomones/3/2121491/kristina-sabaliauskaitekulturos-karai-ir-paliaubos-lietuviu-kalbos-gresmes; žiūrėta 2024-08-05). 6 Arune tau (https://www.facebook.com/kalbosredaktore.lt/posts/ar-vartotinas-%C5%BEodis-%C5%BEingeidus-pagal-el-dabartin%C4%97s-lietuvi%C5%B3-kalbos-%C5%BEodyn%C4%85-vilnius/469783089855396/?locale=lt_LT; Retrieved 2024-05-05). 7 https://virginijusg.blogspot.com/2016/12/925-uzparaste-cxxvi-sis-tas-is-1907-ais.html; Retrieved 2024-08-05. 8 The latter abstract is defined somewhat differently in LKŽe: 1 מ ngeida sf. (1) NdŽ; M, L, Rtr curiosity: In the reading of the scriptures of the holy densely we are hindered by our curiosity, or by the wise M. Valanč. (https://ekalba.lt/paieska/detalioji/?paieska=%C5%BEingeid*&p=1&d=50&i=a73a6910-d11b-4cd3-ab1c-084688b76c32; accessed 202508-05). 9 In the SŽ it has a certificate knyg., i.e. a book word, not a living language word (https://ekalba.lt/sinonimu-zodynas/domus?paieska=domus&i=5ac97e12-cb7f-4992-9ec0-dbc574c8eeed; accessed 2025-08-10). 10 DLKT matyti, kad žingeidus, -i darybos lizdo žodžiai fiksuoti ir Romo Gudaičio, Eugenijaus Ignatavičiaus, In the works of Vytenis Rožukas, Viktoras Katilius, Herkautas Kunčas, Jonas Mikelinskas, Algirdas Pocius, Aistė Ptakauskaitė and others. And Jurga Ivanauskaitė not only used the adjective žingeidus, -i, but also created the novelty žingeidėjas: To his monastery – “Rainbow Meilen’s Home” – began to travel zingeidžiai from the farthest corners of the Himalayas (Jurga Ivanauskaitė, Sapnų nublokšti. Tyto alba, 2000; http://tekstynas.vdu.lt/tekstynas/from_table.search?word=%C5%BEingeid%C4%97jai&hitsPerPage=300&corpus1=Gro&size=50&opt=starts; žiūrėta 202508-10). 11 Among many others see. Pupkis (1980: 109), Buivydienė (1984: 16–17), Piročkinas (1990: 82), Mataitytė (1994: 22; 1995: 11; 1997: 14), Keinys (1995: 2), Klimavičius (1995: 12), Pribušauskaitė (1998: 14), Būda (1999). In another case, the inappropriateness of -i for the normative language is disputed, for example, Pranas Kniūkštas The famous (1994: 13), Algirdas Malakauskas (1997: 12) and others. 4 normizer first criticized and rejected the basic words of the normative language in 1904, see the history of corrections in more detail. Way 1999: 5–6. For the normative Lithuanian language, -i has so far been inappropriate for three reasons – origin (it is translated), morphology and construction (endings not characteristic of compound adjectives) and semantics. 1. ORIGIN 1.1. Žingeidus, -i in Lithuanian language, apparently, did not arise simply by spontaneously composing the corresponding compound word from the compound žinių geisti (geidė) or 12 similar, when necessary to name someone who desires to know, craving knowledge, but by looking at words of similar semantics in other languages, mostly – stumbling blocks, or perhaps even primarily with the aim of translating those other words. 13 Attention should also be drawn to its second meaning ‘interesting’, recorded in the LKŽ not as a living usage (dialects), but as a fact of the press (1885 “Aušra”, 1895 “Varpas” and others) and Aleksandro Kuršaičio “Lithuanian-German Dictionary” (I–IV, 1968–1973). Practically the lexicon 14 žingeidus, -i ‘interesting’ is no longer used, although sometimes the adjective įdomus, -i is proposed as a substitute for the corrective žingeidus, -i (Jablonskis 1959: 154, Piročkinas 1990: 82 and others). This lexem does not have such a clear operative motivation and connection with the 15 desire for knowledge, as if it does not arise by itself, does not derive semantically from the first, direct meaning, but is characteristic of the mentioned counterparts of other languages – Polish, Russian (cf. любопытный человек ‘a subtle person’ and любопытный случай ‘an interesting incident’, любопытная история ‘an interesting story’; ciekawe dziecko ‘a delicate child’ and ciekawy film dla dzieci ‘an interesting film for children’). This could also indicate that the foreign adjectives contributed to the emergence of the -i (not only of the lexem, the main meaning, but of the entire semantic structure) after the adjective curieus. 16 However, relying on examples of word formation in other languages is not a bad thing in itself, it is important that the new word formation corresponds to the patterns and laws of word formation in one's own language. According to this, there is a distinction between valuable – systematically adapting to indigenous formations – and valuable – 12 “Compound adjectives, like compound nouns, are based on the combination of two words” (Paulauskienė 1994: 196). 13 The word "dead" is a non-translatable word. neugierig, rus. liubopytnyj or polk. ciekawy <…>“ (KP 1939: 141), reflecting the need to name in Lithuanian a concept for which other languages already have mentioned words. 14 In this sense, žingeidus, -i was used in later Lithuanian and foreign press, for example: You will listen to beautiful folk songs and music of the Mus, you will also hear what is happening in the Makalai family, where there are constantly curious moments; These curious news reports are heard on radio all over Chicago, and also in the following Lithuanian colonies: Argo, Aurora, Batavia <…> (1935-03-09, Naujienos / The Lithuanian Daily News 58, 5; https://www.spauda.org/naujienos/archive/1935/1935-03-09-NAUJIENOS.pdf; accessed 2025-09-01); However, this is a very curious confession (1957-09-04, Laisvė / The Lithuanian Daily 171, 1; https://www.spauda2.org/laisve/archive/1957/1957-09-04-LAISVE.pdf; accessed 2025-09-01). 15 Only the so-called genitive forms of these adjectives, kuringeidu and įdomu, can replace each other synonymously. In their semantics, the aspect of object and subject of the characteristic is levelled. For example, the sentence “Žingeidu, delko niekam nieko nesakė” was corrected by J. Jablonskis in 1914 as “Įdomu (būtų malonu žinoti), delko niekam nieko nesakė” (Jablonskis 1959: 154). However, the masculine and feminine forms of the adjectives žingeidus, žingeidi can hardly be replaced by the corresponding forms of the adjectives įdomus, įdomias when the subject is interested in something. Interesting in Lithuanian can be only that or that which is of interest (object), and not that which is interested in something (subject; unless it is of interest in this aspect, but in that case it is the object of interest), cf. the definition of this adjective ‘causing interest, attracting, wonderful; worth to be interested in’ (LKŽe). The same applies to the adverb curious and its semantic synonymic relationship with curious. And abstract curiosity does not mean ‘interestingness’, in LKŽ this noun is fixed only as a derivative of žingeidus, -i ‘exquisite’. In addition, the type of construction of property names made with the suffix -umas is quite regular and such abstract names are potentially possible from almost every qualitative graded adjective (DLKG 2006: 100). 16 Although J. Jablonskis wrote about the relationship between these meanings in a different way – it is not strange (and known from dialects) that there is an interesting thing and an interesting person (Jablonskis 1959: 58), – but in the case of the adjective curious, -i, we should not lose sight of its opposition to the action, the relationship with the basis of the action. 5 non-creatively, pamorphemically translated words that do not correspond to the laws of word formation of the language in which they are used, and to the whole system of language in 17 general (Miliūnaitė 2022: 158–159). The 1980s were marked by a revival of the 1970s (Stewart 1980: 108–109). If it is proved that it 18 is a valuation, i.e. that its construction (morphology) does not contradict the Lithuanian language system, the fact of its verability would not be particularly important or decisive in the sense of the norm. See also 2.2 sk. 2. CONSTRUCTION (MORPHOLOGY) 2.1 In correcting the adjective žingeidis, -i is argued that “we are usually not inclined to form compound adjectives with the ending -us” (KP 1939: 141). However, this is not entirely impossible. Compound adjectives are made up of two syntactically and semantically related words and usually have the ending -is, -ė (see LKG 1965: 595; DLKG 2006: 228; PBLKG 2024: 439). However, both in grammar and in other descriptions of the construction of adjectives, for example, Aldona Paulauskienė (1983: 150, 2007: 50), Stasys Keinis (1999: 81) and others, it is written that there are compound adjectives with the endings -as, -us (keturpėsčias, keliaklupsčias, lygausviras, trišakas; akivaizdus, akilandus, paralelus), although these are rare exceptions. It is usually written about the endings of compound adjectives in general, rather than about any particular 19 type of action. There are dozens of these types. Composed adjectives, like nouns, are divided into them according to the part of the language of the base words, primarily oriented to the second part of the conjugation, thus a noun or a verb (LKG 1965: 595–603; DLKG 2006: 238; PBLKG 2024: 440–441). In the case of the adjective žingeidus, -i, the type of punctions from the noun (žinios) and the verb (geisti) is relevant. He was quite prolific in the mid-20th century research data (LKG 1965: 601). If you were curious, -i would even correspond to one of the characteristic 20 functions of this type – ‘does and likes what the first stanza means’, which has, for example, saltpeter (a man), sunflowers (plants) and so on. It is true that the grammar illustrates this type with the most regular puns with the endings -is, -ė. However, attention should be paid to 21 the adjective akilandus, -i (and by its analogy made akivaizdus, -i). In LKG (1965: 600) they are “unquestionably” considered to be puns with the second adjective sandu (i.e. akilandus < akys, landus, -i). DLKG (2006: 234) already states that the relationship of the meanings of the sands forming these enriched adjectives has changed, is not clear. But, using the adjective akilandus, -i ‘which flies into the eyes, landus’ with the word combination į akis lįsti (lend a, lindo), we can also see the verb second sand here. If so, then curious, -i next is quite appropriate. The LKŽ presents several dozen (about 55) compound adjectives with the ending -us, -i. Of them only a few can be measured by noun and verb combinations, these are the aforementioned akilandus, -i, akivaizdus, -i, as well as kraugėrus, -i ‘bloodthirsty (?)’, kraulakus, -i ‘who craves blood, bloodthirsty’, vaišnorus, -i ‘likes to feast, well feeding, feastful’. 22 From a formal point of view, the question may arise whether žingeidus, -i, as well as akilandus, -i, savimylus, -i, mėsėdrus, -i, nevalus, -i, etc., could not be derived from the names of subjects with such characteristics akilanda, savimyla, žingeida, mėsėdra, nevala, etc. However, 17 For example, the translation soon (Russian: незадолго) and the normative value influence (Russian: влияние, Polish: wpływ, German: Einfluss, English: influence, Latin: influentia, etc.). 18 J. Jablonskis called this word, together with s auvalia, svavalia, lygsvara, as accusative words or words that did not appear in our language in any way (cf. Jablonskis 1959: 332–333). 19 E.g., “<…> Lithuanian compound adjectives do not have u stem (II syllable), so these words (žingeidus, sav istovus, savimylus, savalddus – aut. past.) are not only translational, but also violate the morphological system” (Piročkinas 1986: 105). 20 The study of the new words in the L. Ituvių language data base, collected up to 2019, shows that this is the most common type of compound adjective with verb second accent, but in general the new words with it are not abundant (cf. Aleksaitė 2022: 154). PBLKG writes that there are much fewer punches with the second verb sandu than with the noun (2024: 235). 21 In the formulation ‘does, does and likes what the second sanda means’ (DLKG 2006: 235), there is an obvious mistake, because the object of the action is not represented by the second, but by the first sanda. 22 Likewise, the noun and verb sandis having hyphainus, -i ‘typical of a hypocrite, pretentious’ may not be a compound, but is based on an adjective or noun hyphainus, -ė. 6 Despite the meaning of these words, it is obvious that the direction of the action is reversed – the names of the owners of the characteristics marked by them are made from adjectives (akilandus, -i > akilanda) or they are derivatives of the same step of action, based on the same basis of action, i.e. both žingeidus, -i, and žingeida or akilandus, -i and akilanda are based on the same word combinations – respectively žinių geisti (geidė) or į akis lįsti (lenda, lindo). The same applies to the abstracts žingeida ‘curiousity’, savimyla ‘self-loving’, etc. (cf. the noun-verb combinations akistata, širdgėla, etc. (DLKG 2006: 162, 164)). Thus, returning to the aspect of the origin of žingeidus, -i, it is said – therefore (that the creation is not entirely impossible) žingeidus, -i, apparently, is to be considered a valuable, not a valuable. In addition to the German wissbegierig, neugierig, attention should be paid to the Latvian adjectives ziņkārīgs, -a, ziņkārs, -a (and the co-root words ziņkāre, ziņkārība, ziņkārīgums, ziņkārot), especially the second one, made from the noun ziņas ‘knowledge, information’ and the verb kārot ‘to be very eager’. 23 (wanting), wanting (what)’ (LLV), and completely corresponding to the construction of the Lithuanian adjective. These are the closest correspondances to M. Valančius geographically. By claiming that žingeidus, -i was made according to Russian любознательный (Piročkinas 1986: 105 (about J. Jablonski’s corrections)), one loses sight of the fact that in Lithuanian, in comparison with Russian, the syllables of the adverb are formed in reverse, and the knowledge-related one comes first (as in German or Latvian equivalents). The Russian lubobopytnyj or Polish ciekawy (see brus. цікаўны) are further away, either because of the punch-sand semantics (Russian) or the way of making them. (the Polish word is not a punch). The related words of the adjective in question in the LKŽ žingeidis, -ė, žingeidys, -ė ‘snackbuster’ are common verbs, regular noun and verb conjugations (cf. potlaižis, -ė, tvarkdarys, -ė and others belonging to the same verb type (DLKG 2006: 163)), but they are also crossed out as other “words not used in contemporary language”. Therefore, the obstacle here is not doing, but something else. 3. SEMANTICS 3.1. The semantics of the thesis In the history of the correction of the adjective žingeidus, -i, both syntaxes, more precisely, both base words: both the noun žinios and the verb geisti (Būda 1999: 5–8). 3.1.1. It is said that knowledge should not be used in the sense of science, payment or the like. In the language practice advice (1985) the word has been corrected: „knowledge – in some places better science, education, knowledge, skill, learning…“ According to Vytautas Pranciškus Būda, „even if 24 this word appears in another dictionary, it is far from proving that it is good, normative“ (1999: 7). However, knowledge with this or similar meaning is presented in all editions of the DLKŽ, defining and illustrating the usage with examples as follows (here and hereafter the places of the text to which attention should be drawn are underlined when quoting – aut.): ‘pažinimas, mokėjimas, mokslas’: Politinių ir Mokslinių Žinių Sklaidos Draugija (DLKŽ1); ‘knowledge, science’: Historical, theoretical ~ies. Spread ~ias. ~ies desire. Check the students' ~ias. Deepen your ~ias 23 Plg. ‘That (e.g. data, facts, figures, set of knowledge) that is known, learned (about); arī informācija1’ (‘that (e.g. data, facts, figures, set of knowledge), which is known, learned (about what); information’); knowledge ‘A set of information acquired by a person through experience, as a result of cognition; arī sistematizēts ziņu kopums (piemēram, kādā nozarē)’ (‘information that a person has acquired as a result of experience, knowledge; as well as a systematic set of information (for example, about a particular area)’) (https://tezaurs.lv/zi%C5%86a:1, https://tezaurs.lv/zin%C4%81%C5%A1ana:1; accessed 2025-08-10). 24 https://ekalba.lt/kalbos-patarimai/%C5%BEinios?paieska=%C5%BEinios&i=2e04dd98-dd7e-4462-b90100fda8c14ff5; accessed 2025-08-29. 7 (DLKŽ2); ‘learning, educational content, information’: Many ~ies are given in guidebooks, encyclopedias. It has a 3-pointed, but not a 4-pointed (or 8-pointed) wing. This is a list of knockouts. (i.e. a book word) and defined as ‘accumulated or accumulated scientific data’: <…> It is particularly difficult for a person with less special linguistic knowledge to catch the consonants of Žemaičių dialektai LKV193. <…> His (A. Baranauskas) practical aim was to become a respected cleric, but besides that he was driven there by 25 the craving for knowledge and science LKXIX425. See also the presentation of MLKŽ 2010: ‘learning’: Students’ knowledge is assessed by grades. And the concept of “science” is interpreted by using the noun knowledge in the meaning on which the adjective curious, -i, is based, e.g.: mókslas (from Latin scientia – knowledge, ability), the intellectual activity of people whose purpose is to understand and explain the phenomena of reality and apply them to the needs of society; the knowledge about reality acquired through this activity is one of the main components of culture; <...> The modern meaning of the word science was introduced only in the 19th century. The system of knowledge of the natural sciences was called philosophy of nature. <…> The criterion for distinguishing scientific knowledge from non-scientific is proposed by the philosophy of science. <...> In order to obtain objective knowledge of real phenomena, scientific research is based on rational reasoning, observation and experimentation. The most important feature of scientific methodology is the constant critical evaluation of already acquired knowledge. Because of all the new circumstances and arguments, the knowledge accumulated by science is incomplete and changeable. The knowledge accumulated by science is classified continuously and according to changing principles. <…> 26 Apparently, Pranas Kniūkšta was still right when he wrote in 1994 that both the adjective žingeidus, -i, denoting not mere curiosity but the desire to know, and the knowledge used in the sense of science or facts have won their right of existence (Kniūkšta 1994: 13). Also see the VLKK consultation mentioned above (see Introduction), where instead of žingeidus, -i next to the adjective smalsus, -i is proposed as a word combination seeking knowledge. 3.1.2. For the second sando – it was believed that inquisitive, -i was supported by the second meaning of geisti (Būda 1999: 7), cf.: ge ‖sti, ~džia, ~dė 1. very much to want, to desire, to strive, to demand: Eats, what the heart ~džia. ~ a strange thing. "After the storm, another storm" (Trad.) 2. to be overwhelmed by passion: Moters g. ∆ ~džiamóji nuosaka (linguistically expressing desire, desire). ~d mas (2) (DLKŽ8) gei ąsti, gei ėdžia, gei ėdė vksm. 1. (what) very much want; Sin. desire: She acht gei acht honours [acknowledges acht, possesses]. Vaikai  labai  gei džia šuniko [turėti šuniką, kd tėvai  ji ems nupirktų šuniką]. | snow. (ko): I've never had a wealth. 2. (ko) feel physical attraction, lust for whom: She ė gei ėdžia šią vėro. He's got to get out of here. | snow. (ko): Negei ūssk svättimo vvaro [svetimųs móters]. (BLKŽ) But it is obvious that in the word combination žinių geisti the first meaning of the verb is relevant. But plg. The examples of usage given in the LKŽ (where geisti has only one meaning ‘to very much want, to desire; to wish, to strive, to demand’) that have nothing to do with passion, lust or the like. : The child of science teep cries, mourns Sl. Marytė begs to go to Kėdainiai Pc. You're so craving, and you're eating so little Trgn. What does your heart desire? B. There will my mother let me... where my heart desires RD116. He gave a chicken, he gave a chicken, what do you want more, son-in-law? Pnd. My girl, my young girl, don't take a sweet nap RD57. <...> 25 Language and Literature, vol. He lived in Vilnius from 1956 to 1995. 26 https://www.vle.lt/straipsnis/mokslas/; Retrieved 2025-08-29. 8 3.2. The semantics of the derivative The proposed substitute curious, -i is not an absolute synonym of the adjective curious, -i, and therefore cannot replace it absolutely in all contexts. The definition in LKŽ ‘who is very 27 interested in everything, wants to know everything’, seems to suit precisely the curious. In essence, the concept of interest here differs by one sem – in one case it is a simple interest, even if it is great, but it does not lead anywhere else (this is characterized by the folklore-known witch Zose, the bearers of tales, the lazy cat, etc.), in another – an interest in order to acquire more knowledge, to expand the horizon, to grow, to improve, and not to be forgotten immediately because it is no longer interesting (a constantly asking little child, a gifted motivated student, a scientist, etc.). 28 After analyzing 217 examples of usage (all related adjectives with -i, i.e. all its constructional nests were examined; more about it see section 4) in the DLKT (36 uses in fiction, 33 – in non-fiction, 148 – in journalism; usage was not recorded in administrative literature and sentence language), 3 semantic cases were highlighted. 3.2.1. Curious, -i means the same as curious, -i (‘interested, wanting to know’). Pavyzdžiai iš DLKT 29 : A man marries a very menacing looking dog. A curious passerby, wanting to pet the dog, asks: – Does your dog let a stranger in? This, of course, would be interesting and curious to find out for a wider circle of readers <…> See the newer usage in internet texts: Naya (a female tiger – aut. past.) arrived at the Lithuanian zoo a few days ago, the 14-year-old female is still shy. After a short walk in the fence, she returns to a safe place from where she observes everything. “He feels pretty good, curious, exploring the territory. <…>“ (2024-10-09; https://lnk.lt/straipsniai/lietuvoje/zoologijos-sode--itin-nykstantis-gyvunas-/277183; viewed 2025times) Interesting usage, when a significant difference between smalsus and žingeidus is felt, but having in mind 08-07). curiosity (‘blind’, i.e. not related to the further use of knowledge for the purposes of improvement, expansion of research, etc.) the adjective žingeidus is used in the -i genitive form of the adjective: It is unknown what inner imperative encourages a person to protect the creation of predecessors. This is not blind curiosity, when I am very curious, so to speak, but how much they had, what they wore, what they ate, what was worshipped. Rather, it is a check to see if those before us really existed, and if so, what do their artifacts tell us? (2024-05-26, https://www.nemunas.press/straipsniai/paveldas-ir-atsisakymas/; accessed 2025-08-10). 3.2.2. Curious, -i means more than just curious, -i, not exactly the same as curious (and their co-roots, respectively). Such cases are more abundant. P. Kniūkšta stated that the word „žmogis“ means not mere curiosity, but the desire to know (1994: 13), to which V. P. Būda replied: 27 Although corrected, curious, -i is very gaius, because its meaning differs from the word smalsus, -i meaning (Būtėnas 1975: 185, cited from Sabaliauskas 1990: 289). “The nickname curious DŽ3 also has a certificate ntk. (= curious). Are curious and inquisitive synonyms? After all, the pedagogical terms curiosity and inquisitiveness are not identical, and they are also referred to with different words in English, Russian, German languages <…>“ (Malakauskas 1997: 12). 28 “In Lithuanian the word zingeidumas is often used in various contexts, for example, to describe the curiosity of children at school, the desire of scientists to discover new things or the desire of ordinary people to learn more about the world around them. This term can be used in both positive and negative senses, depending on the context.” (https://zingeidumas.lietuviskai.lt/; Retrieved 2025-08-30. The source is doubtful in lexicographic and scientific terms, the information in it is similar to the generated DI, but in this case we want to draw attention to the mentioned desire to discover the sem.) 29 Here and further in this section are examples of usage for DLCT 2024-09. 9 asking, “[B]isn’t curiosity a desire to know?” (Būda 1999: 7). Indeed, apparently, the semantic difference between curiosity and inquisitiveness is determined by the fact that inquisitive, -i has an additional semi – it is not just curious, but seeking to acquire more knowledge in order to improve. Pavyzdžiai iš DLKT: <…> we have a lot of farmers, educated, wanting to know more and more and curious, knowing, understanding that without scientific knowledge you can not go far <…> She met infinitely curious, educated and working teachers by vocation and experienced that the teachers she met were dedicated to their profession and students. It must be assumed that the more inquisitive students were then encouraged to take an interest in scientific activities, to search and to experience the joy of discovery. “What is the force that pushes a person to scientific work? I think the only one is curiosity. Not curiosity, as linguists say, but curiosity. In the past, curiosity was satisfied by everyone as much as they could, but now this spiritual thirst is satisfied by society through a certain organized system. <…>“ The career piston. A great desire to go forward and curiosity. "I was not satisfied with my duties as an accountant, so I was constantly interested in other bank affairs, I tried to learn and learn as much as possible <…>" Where does such great curiosity, such wide horizon, such abundance of accumulated material come from? <…> I have been friends with the notebook all the time. He has been in the media for a long time, and he has always had a strong personality: he has always been a person of confidence, of confidence, and of confidence. (2025-08-04; https://www.krepsinis.net/naujiena/2-metus-be-darbo-praleidesd-kairys-apie-klaidas-utenoje-didziausia-indeli-rytui-ir-sunkumus-sugrizti/343987?utm_source=copy&utm_medium=txt&utm_campaign=copy-txt; Retrieved 2025-0807) The professor recommends young people to be responsible, patriotic and curious, emphasizing: “Interest in the world can change the present and the future, physical and mental health, as well as the motivation to serve in the army.” (2025-07-25; https://www.snaujienos.lt/sveikatos-kodas/49328-lsu-profesoriustarnyba-kariuomeneje-gerina-sirdies-kvepavimo-sistemos-ir-raumenu-istverme; accessed 2025-08-07) V. S. (1904–1992) – interwar drama actor and ballet dancer (more like a ballet assistant), director. The star of the Smetona-era stages and salons, and at the same time a personality of a rhetoric, vidunistic spiritual structure, curious, self-improving, and also literate. (2022-05-30; https://literaturairmenas.lt/teatras?page=14; accessed 2025-08-16) Brave, curious youth! Interest, the desire to learn, understand, pursue your dreams, be leaders is exciting! (2024-04-19; https://www.facebook.com/100076194364015/videos/-dr%C4%85sus- %C5%BEingeidus-jaunimas-dom%C4%97jimasis-noras-su%C5%BEinoti-suprasti-siekti-savosvajones/440662875036377/; žiūrėta 2025-08-17) A curious and responsible doctoral student who values science and strives for maximum results is the dream of every manager (https://www.linkedin.com/posts/k%C4%99stutis-baltakys05154184_%C5%BEingeidus-ir-atsakingas-doktorantas-kuris-activity-7209149838549012482-PpgU; žiūrėta 2025-08-17) Mykolas Romeris University (MRU) alumnus A. S., the head of the Border Control Department of the Coast Guard Border Squad, acting as the deputy commander of the squad, also assures that the service is especially welcome for curious young people. “Intelligence is very important. A person must be interested in what he is going to do or in what environment he is going to work. You must be open to communication and have analytical thinking. The knowledge acquired during studies really helps us in our daily work”, says A. S. (2025-05-13; https://www.kurstoti.lt/s/15276/reikia-zingeidus-technologijoms-imlus-sienu-sargu; By examining the current usage of not only the adjective itself but also its derivatives, it becomes clear that there are 2025-08-17) 16 sufficient reasons to include it in the standard language. First of all, žingeidus should apparently be considered a standard calque, i.e., a word that systematically fits in with indigenous derivatives, even though it was created based on examples from other languages. There are adjectives composed of nouns and verbs (e.g., saulėvengis, druskamėgis, etc.) in the Lithuanian language. The derivative meaning of žingeidus would even correspond to one of the derivative meanings characteristic of this type of compound – "engages in, does and likes what the first part of the word means". Secondly, although rare, there are compound adjectives in the Lithuanian language with other endings, not just -is, for example: akilandus, keturpėsčias. In terms of semantics, it should be noted that the noun žinios with the aforementioned ill-fitting meaning is found in all editions of the Dictionary of the Modern Lithuanian Language, the Academic Dictionary of the Lithuanian Language, and the Educational Dictionary of the Lithuanian Language. This lexeme is used not only in spoken language, but also in edited texts (for example, in the Universal Lithuanian Encyclopedia). As for geisti, it should be noted that žingeidus is based not on the second meaning mentioned above, but on the first meaning of the base verb, 'to want very much, to desire'. Thus, there seems to be no semantic obstacles to the adjective žingeidus originating from the phrase žinių geisti (geidė). It is also important to note the considerable number of words derived from žingeidus, or, more precisely, words related to this adjective, not necessarily directly derived from it (žingeidžiai, žingeidumas, žingeidauti, žingeidavimas, pažingeidauti, žingeiduolis, žingeida1 ‘curiosity’, žingeida2 ‘curious person’, etc.). Some of them, although corrected, are used not only occasionally. This shows that words derived from žingeidare are relevant and remain in use. This is most likely because the proposed replacement smalsus is not a completely accurate equivalent (perhaps this is the most important reason for changing the evaluation of the adjective žingeidus). These adjectives differ in one significant aspect: žingeidus is not just curious, but seeks, even desiring, to learn more for self-education. Having decided that žingeidus and its most commonly used cognates correspond to the current norms of the standard Lithuanian language, they should also appear in the normative Dictionary of the Standard Lithuanian Language. The dictionary entries for žingeidus, žingeidžiai, and žingeidumas should reflect the semantic relationship of these words to the adjective smalsus and its derivatives, revealing their synonymy, differences in meaning, and differences in usage.