Toponyms as units of cultural and linguistic transfer: A linguistic and cultural aspect

Abstract

The study covers etymological, linguistic and cultural analysis of the toponymic vocabulary in one of the regions of the Republic of Bashkortostan. The study briefly examines the historiography of the fixation of the Bashkir oiconymic vocabulary and its scientific description in the Arab and Russian sources, and analyses the ethnolinguistic situation on the territory of the Republic of Bashkortostan, in particular, the existence of three groups of Turkic-speaking population (Bashkirs, Mishars, Teptyars), having different origins and bearing three accents of two related languages – Bashkir and Tatar. The authors classify oikonyms (placenames) into appellative and motivated by other onyms, reveal the etymology of appellative onyms, and demonstrate their secondary nature in relation to hydronyms and oronyms. An analysis of placenames motivated by other onyms reveals an inseparable link between placenames and anthroponyms. The latter are analysed in terms of origin (original, Arabic, Persian, Kalmyk, mixed), thematic groups (“beautiful names of Allah”, names of Muslim prophets, names of the Prophet Muhammad’s associates, etc.), and functions (well wishes, amulets). When analysing original anthropo-oikonyms special attention is given to the functioning of anthropo-formants, as well as to clarifying their connection with mythological and religious beliefs of the Turkic peoples of Bashkortostan.