DOI: 10.7256/2454-0749.2021.11.34749

Abstract: This article examines the female image within the national linguistic worldview based on the Avar toponymic lexicon. The subject of this research is the semantics of toponymic units with the content “characteristic of a woman”, methods of their formation and ability to reflect perception of the world of the Avar dialect speakers. The author explores the following aspect: 1) determination of the reasons for toponymization of female anthroponyms; 2) establishment of the role of the Avar anthroponymy in toponymic research; 3) clarification of the role of unit, which reflects different aspects of woman’s personality, that  determine behavior and lifestyle within the toponymy of Gergebilsky, Gumbetovsky, Kazbekovsky and Khunzakhsky districts of Dagestan. The conclusion is made that the experience of combining obtained and systematizing toponymic units for describing the representations on the female image contributes to the formation of geographical proper names. It emerged that toponymic lexemes reflect the transition from immanent linguistics, which studies language within and for itself, towards anthropocentric (or anthropophilic) linguistics, which focuses on the study of human with all the characteristics. The article examines the linguistic aspects of toponymy; analyzes and classifies toponymic units that contain female names, taking into account the semantics and peculiarities of their use. The acquired linguistic conclusions can be valuable for further research within the framework of studying female image in different aspects.

DOI: 10.7256/2454-0749.2019.6.31400

Abstract: The subject of this research is the review of the system of toponyms-conversions that are based on appellatives meaning the names of fauna of Bezhtinsky, Gergebilsky, Gumbetovsky, Kazbekovsky, Tlyaratinsky, Hunzakhsky and Tsumadinsky districts of Dagestan. The article reviews the toponyms containing a biological term or name present in the Avar toponymy, and reflecting various stages in ethnolinguistic history of the region of residence of the Avars, which are one of the elements of their toponymic picture of the world. Their reflection and peculiarities of functionality in micro-toponymy are characterized. The problems of formation of the regional phyto- and zoo-toponymy attract attention of onomatologists, since they touch upon the subject of interaction between proper names and appellatives, semantics and functionality of toponyms. The scientific novelty consists in the thesis that despite their multiplicity, zoo-toponyms as the object of linguistics have been unaddressed. The author raises the relevant for the Avar toponymy questions: whether zoo-toponymic names reflect any real or metaphorical peculiarities of an object; as well as reveal their specificity and highlight the characteristic attributes. Examination of the names of zoo-toponymic formations, as most ancient lexical strata, is relevant with regards to revealing their potential in objectification of physical-natural living conditions of the Avar ethnic group, type and peculiarities of their economic activity, specificity of ancient beliefs and history of language allows establishing the historical path, restore the boundaries of settlement, outline the area of distribution of language.

DOI: 10.25136/2409-8698.2019.6.31444

Abstract: The subject of this research is a review of the system of microtoponyms created on the basis of the local geographical terminology; they vary considerably forming an interim lexical layer, transitional between the nominal lexis (appellatives) and onomastic (toponyms). Examination of toponymic terminology has two interrelated sides, comprised of the terms that are defined differently: they are simultaneously the indicators, nomenclatural, nominal, folk, etc. This lexicological study determines the role of geographical terms in the toponymy of Bezhtinsky, Gergebilsky, Gumbetovsky, Kazbekovsky, Tlyaratinsky, Khunzakhsky and Tsumadinsky districts of Dagestan. The scientific novelty consists in the fact that appellatives take active part in formation of the own geographical names. It is easy to distinguish two categories among the geographical terms: 1) class terms denote landscapes, large terrain elements, hydrographies, soil and vegetation cover, and others that generalize geographical phenomena and objects; 2) specific terms characterize narrower elements of natural environment, types of landscapes, rather than their zonal structure. Grammatically, the terms in toponymies may be in the second position. The areas of toponymic names of Bezhtinsky, Gergebilsky, Gumbetovsky, Kazbekovsky, Tlyaratinsky, Khunzakhsky and Tsumadinsky districts of Dagestan often do not comply with the boundaries of dialects established by appellatives.

DOI: 10.7256/2454-0749.2018.4.26826

Abstract: The subject of this research is the review of the main types of spelonims and phonetic variants of the nohjo appelative 'cave' common in the territory inhabited by the Avars, this appelative being a component of their toponymic picture of the world. It is important to study the names of oronomic units as the most ancient lexical layers in order to define their potential to objectify environmental conditions of the Avars ethnos, types and peculiarities of their economic activity, specific features of their beliefs, the history of the language, etc. This provides a better insight into their history, dispersion borders, outlines the territory where their language was spread. The research methods include the descriptive method, comparative history method and the method of contextual analysis of terms, as well as analysis and generalisation of theoretical and practical data. The scientific novelty of the research is caused by the fact that as the object of linguistic studies, spelonims have never been studied closely despite their diversity and variety. The author of the article brings forth important issues for Avar toponymy: spelonim names describe real or metaphoric features of an object. The results of the research also allow to define specific features of spelonims. 

DOI: 10.7256/2454-0749.2018.2.26479

Abstract: The subject of the present article is the toponymy of the Avar region in the Republic of Dagestan studied as the system of microtoponymic classes, each class comprising a microtoponym and its binary gender reference. The object of the research is the toponymic names that contain zoonyms viewed from the gender approach. To carry out an analysis, the author uses field research data she has been collecting for several years. For each unit, the author gives a detailed description of gender reference, feminine or masculine. The researcher focuses on zoonyms in different languages spoken in the territory of Dagestan.The research methods include theoretical analysis of gender research sources in linguistics or linguistic gender studies, systems analysis, comparative historical method and contextual analysis of terms. The main conclusions of the research are the following: description of factors essential for the development of the national cultural component of gender units, and toponym classes depending on human behavior; based on the example of gender differences in microtoponyms of different Dagestan regions, the author describes a peculiar picture of the world. The author's special contribution to the topic is that she introduces new linguistic materials that has never been mentioned in the academic literature before. For the first time in the academic literature the author studies gender aspects of Avar toponyms (or gender relations in microtoponomy) in comparison with the toponomy of other Dagestan regions.  

DOI: 10.7256/2454-0749.2017.4.24907

Abstract: The aim of this research was to review the main types and world-building models used to form geographical names on the territory of the Gergebilsky District of Dagestan Toponymic constructions are formed using different ways such as descriptive names, possessive names, event-related names, transfer of the initial name to a number of adjoining objects. Toponyms are presented through verbal, adjective, post-positional names, toponynic conversions and ellipse toponyms. Only toponymic conversions and ellipse toponyms may consist of one word. Verbal construction toponyms are usually structured as complete sentences. In the course of her research the author of the article has used methods of analysis and generalisation of theoretical and practical data. According to the author, toponymic names are formed as a result of a desire to define an object and later differentiate it from other objects. The scientific novelty of the research is caused by the fact that orientation names are always composite, these can be word-combinations or complete sentences. Thus, the author of the article touches upon very imoprtant issues for the Avar toponomy. Microtoponymic names form composite complexes with a core word and these analytical forms are accompanied with the transfer of their grammatical meaning into lexical.