http://doi.org/10.332.34/SSR.23.13
Research of Functional Aspects of Toponyms in Modern Linguistics
Ilyas Isabekov
Department of State, Official and Foreign Languages
International University named after K.Sh. Toktomamatov
715613, 1A Tarsus Str., Jalal-Abad, Kyrgyz Republic
Almas Alymkulov
Department of Languages
Modern International University
715600, 152 Pushkina Str., Jalal-Abad, Kyrgyz Republic
ilyasisabekov13@gmail.com
Dinara Altaeva
Department of State, Official and Foreign Languages
International University named after K.Sh. Toktomamatov
715613, 1A Tarsus Str., Jalal-Abad, Kyrgyz Republic
Nursuluu Atazhanova
Osh State University
723500, 331 Lenin Str., Osh, Kyrgyz Republic
Abstract
The aim of this study was to examine the key functions performed by toponyms in Kyrgyzstan, in particular nominative-localising, artistic, chronographic, and cultural memory functions. By analysing the topographic profiles of Bishkek and Osh cities, the functionality of toponyms motivated by geographical objects, cultural and historical events or figures was examined. The nominative-localising function of toponyms was considered in the context of naming and localising specific geographical objects (cities, rivers, mountains) in space. Such toponyms as Ala-Archa, Kyzyl-Asker, and Orto-Sai in Bishkek, and Ak-Buura, Zhapalak in Osh were named as examples. The function of cultural memory was related to the fixation of certain cultural monuments, personalities, historical events, and colonial influences. Such toponyms as Asanbai and Yunusaliev Street in Bishkek, and Sulaiman-Too and Manas-Ata in Osh were provided as examples in this study. The artistic function of toponyms was studied in terms of metaphorical (transfer on the basis of similarity of objects) and metonymic (transfer from part to whole, from action to object) motivation of toponymic units. Examples included Alamedin and Kara-Balta in Bishkek, and Zhylan-Artyk and Biike-Too in Osh. Thus, it was found that Kyrgyz toponymic units, in terms of pragmatics, reflected cultural, historical, geographical, linguocultural, and ethnographic aspects.
Keywords: cultural memory, spatial objects, metaphorical connotations, colonial history, geocoding, energy.