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THE SEMANTIC SCOPE OF TOPONYMIC UNITS
Usmonova Mohinir Bahtiyorovna
Senior Lecturer at Qarshi University of Economics and Pedagogy
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15536435
Abstract. This article analyzes the semantic scope of toponymic units, their lexical-
semantic features, and cultural-spiritual load from a linguocultural perspective. The internal
form, external appearance, and historical-spiritual content of toponyms in English and Uzbek
languages are studied. The article demonstrates that toponyms are products of cultural
thinking, closely related to the worldview, customs, and socio-legal relations of the people.
Keywords: Toponym, semantics, cultural semantics, linguoculturology, geographic
names, lexical layer, historical motivation, ethnotoponymy.
INTRODUCTION
Toponymic units are directly connected with the historical memory, cultural mindset,
and language of each nation. Through the semantic scope of these units, one can determine the
customs, religious beliefs, and lifestyle of a people. Semantic analysis allows us to identify the
deep meanings of toponyms, their naming motivations, and their place in collective memory.
MAIN PART
The semantic scope of toponymic units is closely tied to their internal structure,
historical roots, linguocultural connotations, and the imagery present in public consciousness.
Each toponym is not merely a means of naming a geographical object, but also serves as an
expression of historical memory, national identity, and ethnocultural heritage. In linguistic
analysis, when examining the semantic aspects of such units, it is important to consider not only
their dictionary meanings but also their symbolic, connotative, and associative dimensions.
The semantic analysis of toponyms begins with their structural composition. In the
Uzbek language, toponyms are generally formed based on two main factors—natural-
geographical and socio-cultural elements. For example, the toponym
Chust
consists of the parts
chu
(lowland) and
ust
(highland), reflecting the area's relief features. The toponym
Termiz
is
said to originate from the ancient Greek
Demetria
, showing how toponyms reflect historical
connections and cultural changes. English toponyms such as
Newcastle
,
Oxford
, and
Cambridge
are named based on the function or location of a geographical object—e.g.,
ox
(ox)
and
ford
(river crossing)—and retain relevance in the modern language system.
Toponyms can be semantically categorized as follows:
•
Descriptive toponyms
(indicating characteristics of a place):
Qizilqum
,
Greenland
(green land).
•
Memorial toponyms
(associated with historical figures or events):
Washington
,
Amir Temur Park
.
•
Ethnotoponyms
(related to ethnic groups):
Qo‘ng‘irot
,
Tatarstan
.
•
Topographic toponyms
(related to terrain):
Tog‘kent
,
Lake District
.
The semantic scope of toponyms is also evident in their meaning types. Semantically,
toponyms can be classified into the following main groups: descriptive, memorial, transference-
based, eponymic (derived from personal names), and metaphoric units. For example, the Uzbek
toponym
Qo‘qon
is descriptive, meaning "a place where cuckoo birds are plentiful." The
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English
Stratford-upon-Avon
combines a town name with a river, giving it both descriptive and
locational character.
Furthermore, through linguocultural components, toponyms reflect national culture,
worldview, customs, and beliefs. In Uzbek toponyms, words such as
obod
(prosperous),
ota
(father),
bobo
(grandfather),
hazrat
(saint), and
pir
(spiritual guide) are common and tied to
spiritual and moral values. Such components turn a geographical name into a source of
ideological and cultural information. Similarly, English toponyms such as
Saint Albans
and
St.
Andrews
are linked to religious or historical figures, indicating spiritual-cultural layers.
Toponymic units also preserve meanings associated with oral folklore, historical events,
and migration processes. This makes toponyms a sociolinguistic phenomenon, allowing for an
expanded semantic interpretation. For instance, the toponym
Jizzakh
derives from the ancient
Persian word
Dizak
(fortress), indicating the area’s historical function as a military settlement.
Or
Tashkent
is a combination of
to‘sh
(plain) and
kent
(city), showing a blend of geographical
and urban characteristics in its semantic structure.
Renowned Uzbek linguist B. Khudoyorov has thoroughly studied the semantic and
historical layers of toponymic units in his scholarly works. In articles and monographs such as
“Semantic-Historical Features of Toponymic Units”
(2011) and
“Language and Territory:
Semantic Layers in Toponymic Systems”
(2017), he explores the interconnection between
language and thought, and language and culture, through toponyms. According to him,
toponyms are not limited to naming objects but also serve as carriers of vital information in the
conceptual system of language. In Khudoyorov’s works, the relationship between language and
space is analyzed through an anthropocentric approach, which allows the semantic scope of
toponyms to be studied in connection with national worldview, historical thought, and culture.
In modern linguoculturology, the concept of
"semantic layering"
is particularly
relevant in toponym analysis. This concept refers to the coexistence of several cultural,
historical, religious, or ethnic meanings under a single place name. For example, the name
Bukhara
represents not only a geographical location but also an image of Islamic culture, a
center of science, and a symbol of the historic Silk Road.
English and Uzbek toponyms have both similarities and differences from a semantic
perspective. Both languages widely use names related to geographical features, historical
figures, and natural elements. For example, Uzbek toponyms like
Qiziltepa
,
Sho‘rchi
and
English toponyms like
Blackpool
,
Oxford
are physical-geographical names;
Amir Temur
,
Ulug‘bek
,
Washington
, and
Lincoln
are memorial toponyms tied to historical figures. Names
like
Qoratepa
,
Tog‘lik
,
Riverdale
, and
Hilltown
are based on natural features. However, English
toponyms often contain generic components such as
hill
,
dale
,
town
, which serve as
categorizing elements, whereas descriptive elements are more commonly used in Uzbek
toponyms.
The semantic scope of toponyms expands and enriches over time. Several factors
influence this process. First, historical changes are reflected in toponyms—for example, with
political system changes, names are updated, such as the renaming of
Leninobod
to
Khujand
.
Second, globalization introduces English-based names and transliterated new toponyms such
as
New City
or
Business Town
. Third, urbanization brings about the formation of new
neighborhoods and districts, named with modern semantic meanings that often reflect social or
economic imagery.
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In summary, the semantic scope of toponymic units shows how deeply layered they are
with connotative, historical, and linguocultural meanings. This necessitates their study not just
as linguistic units, but as social and cultural codes.
REFENRENCES
1.
Суперанская А.В.
Общая топонимика
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2.
Худояров М.
O‘zbek toponimikasining lingvokulturologik xususiyatlari
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O‘zMU, 2018. — 94 b.
3.
Рахматуллаева Г.
Toponimlar semantikasi va ularning ijtimoiy mohiyati
. — Toshkent:
Fan, 2014.
4.
Crystal D.
The Cambridge Encyclopedia of the English Language
. — Cambridge: CUP,
2003.
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Tent J., Blair D.
Motivations for naming: The development of a toponymic typology for
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Usmonova M.B. (2022). Development of methodology and its types. Current research
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https://doi.org/10.37547/philological-
7.
Usmonova Mohinur Bakhtiyarovna. (2024). Derivative processes in the system of
units: a linguistic exploration// International Multidisciplinary Journal for Research &
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http://www.ijmrd.in/index.php/imjrd/article/view/1547
