SEMANTICS OF HYDRONYMS OF THE NORTHERN REGION OF KAZAKHSTAN

Abstract

The purpose of the article is to consider the surface water resources of the northern region of Kazakhstan from a linguistic point of view, to group semantic types, to determine the degree of influence of the languages of ethnic groups living in this region on the name of hydronymic objects. In linguistics, the main semantic groups of hydronyms are designated as relation to a person, relation to an object, and criticism of an object. This article proves that such a semantic structure is associated with the influence of toponymic universals and the ethno-cultural specifics of the life and economy of the indigenous population (Kazakhs).

The study of the semantics of geographical names is limited mainly to the compilation of a semantic classification based on a variety of material. Since the nineteenth century, scientists began to reveal the relationship of a name in the semantics of a toponym with a known object. Some researchers also analyze and classify groups of names that define object criticism. The first group of names attracts a lot of attention of researchers, since the toponym is very closely connected with the process of changing the environment by man, and the anthropocentric attitude of man to nature also did not have its influence. Therefore, the connection of a person with an object stands out as an important point. The second group arose from a comparison opposite to the first. It consists of names that express a variety of criticism of the object and various relationships with its other objects. As for today's requirements, when analyzing the semantics of a toponym, highlighting only these two groups is not enough from a scientific point of view. Taking into account the experience of the previous generation, new classifications are born that try to cover the existing features of the semantics of geographical names. Their authors divide, classify and systematize groups among themselves in a certain order. With this in mind, the results and conclusions indicated in this article regarding geographical research allow us to draw conclusions on lexicology, semasiology, etymology and onomasiology of linguistics and on Kazakh onomastics.

The article can be used as an additional educational material in preparation for lectures and practical classes on the discipline «Historical Onomastics» in higher educational institutions.