In the system of philological sciences, there are various areas - the theory of language, applied linguistics, stylistics, dialectology and even onomastics. Today we will talk about what onomastics is, what are its subject and object, what sections are distinguished in it. Consider its relationship with other disciplines, sources that provide material for study.
Onomastics as a science
Let's start with what onomastics is. The definition says that this is a branch of linguistics that studies proper names or onyms.
Initially, onomastics was an applied science, which was used by historians, geographers, literary critics as an auxiliary discipline. Later it was separated into a separate section of linguistics with its own methods for the analysis of linguistic material. The object of research of science is the history of occurrence, the motives of the nomination and the functioning of proper names in the language. The subject is directly onyms, names.
Studies onomasticsphonetic, morphological, derivational, semantic and etymological aspects of proper names.
Development history
Speaking about what onomastics is, it is necessary to touch upon such an issue as the history of the emergence of science.
She is considered relatively young. It has officially existed since 1930, when the world's first International Onomastic Congress was held in France.
Already in 1949, an onomastic committee was created at UNESCO, a specialized magazine Onoma was published. The peak of the development of onomastics fell on 50-60 years of the last century.
Russian onomastics begins its history in 1812, when A. Kh. Vostokov published the article "Assignments for etymology lovers". In 1813, another important work by E. Bolkhovitinov “On the Peculiarities of the Proper Names of the Slavonic Russians” was published. For two centuries, science has developed, establishing its own research methods, collecting factual material, bit by bit creating a theory. In 2004, the issue of onomastics began to appear in Russia.
Components of science
Depending on linguistic features, there are several areas of research. Onomastics of proper names can cover various areas of knowledge, while distinguishing:
- Regional onomastics, which studies the onomasticon of a particular region, studies its onomastic subsystems.
- Theoretical, which studies the general patterns of development and functioningonomastic systems.
- Applied onomastics is associated primarily with the practice of naming, their functioning in the modern language. This includes the establishment of the recording and pronunciation of names, the development of normative models for the formation of patronymics and surnames, adjectives to indicate belonging to a particular locality, region of residence, family.
- Descriptive, which deals with the analysis of the onomastic state of a particular territory. In this case, any one onomastic class is considered.
- Poetic onomastics - studies the functioning of proper names in literary texts, the principles of their creation, functions in the text.
Sections
Depending on the category of studied objects of proper names, the following sections of onomastics are distinguished:
- Anthroponymy - studies the names of people.
- Toponymy - studies the names of geographical objects.
- Zoonymy - studies the names of animals.
- Astronomy - studies the names of stellar bodies - planets, stars, comets.
- Hydronymics - studies the name of water bodies - rivers, lakes, seas and oceans.
Connection with other sciences
Speaking about what onomastics is, one cannot fail to note its connection with other disciplines. First of all, it is closely related to linguistics. Science uses linguistic methods to analyze proper names. It is also connected with logic, since the connection between the concept and the word is studied. The connection of onomastics with geography and astronomy is traced. Scientists often turn to onomasts to solveproblems such as correct spelling and translation of titles.
History, ethnography and archeology provide a lot of useful information for onomast scientists. Those, in turn, help historians. The value of onomastics for scientists associated with history is invaluable. Thus, these onomastics help to study the settlement of peoples, their customs and rituals, since the formation of names, their use, are closely connected not only with certain peoples, but also with eras. With the help of onomastics, one can not only determine the boundaries of the settlement of peoples, but also date various written memos.
Study Sources
We found out what onomastics is, gave a definition to it, identified the main sections. But one question still remained unanswered - where do scientists get the actual material for study?
There are many sources. The most used are:
- Lists of names and surnames.
- Church books and calendars.
- Dialect notes and reminders.
- Geographical and astronomical maps.
- Address books.
- Books of inventory of the land.
- Catalogs of animal shows.
- Horse racing lists.
- Artworks.
Study
They study this science exclusively at universities at the philological faculties. Acquaintance with the section occurs when studying the course "Lexicology" or as a separate special course. During the training, students will learn what onomastics is, what methods it uses, what sections are highlighted in it.
It is rarely studied in the school course, except perhaps in the senior profile classes. But at the same time, acquaintance with science is superficial and provides only basic information about it.
Conclusions
Onomastics is one of the linguistic disciplines that studies proper names and their functioning in Russian. She is relatively young. They study it at the philological faculties.
