The functions of toponyms in the works by K. F. Zhakov

Abstract

Introduction. In Finno-Ugric studies, as well as in Komi linguistics, the language of fiction is insufficiently studied, including the functions of toponyms in prose. At the beginning of the XX century in Russia, the writer Kallistrat Falaleevich Zhakov was widely known. At the same time, he also studied Komi and Finno-Ugric linguistics. The onomastic material of the works by K. F. Zhakov has not yet attracted the attention of researchers of his works, although toponymic vocabulary plays a special role in the artistic picture of the writer’s world. Materials and Methods. The research is based on the books by K. F. Zhakov “To the North, in search of Pam Bur-Mort” and “Through the system of life”. When writing the article, traditional methods of linguistic research, used in the analysis of toponyms, were applied: descriptive, comparative-historical, semantic, etc. Results and Discussion. The research value of the works is based on the fact that the geographical names of K. F. Zhakov artistic and semantic meaning of the connection with the past and eternal, present and future spiritual space of the North. The geographical environment determines the entire structure and storylines of the books. The action in them directly depends on the spatial movements of the hero, and the toponyms form the core of travel. The works can be considered as a single autobiographical text. “To the North, in search of Pam Bur-Mort” and “Through the system of life” are the books of wanderings. The main rhythm of the story is created by geographical names. The article presents oikonyms, oronyms and hydronyms from two works of the writer. Conclusion. In the texts of two works of fiction by K. F. Zhakov analyzed in this paper, real toponyms perform two main functions: informative and artistic-symbolic.