Transformation of toponyms in onomasticons in the English and Russian languages: grammar, structure, semantics

Abstract

This article is dedicated to the phenomenon of radical transformations of toponyms in onomasticons of the Russian and English languages at the turn of centuries. The goal of this work lies in determination and analysis of changes in semantics, structure and functionality of toponymic vocabulary from the perspective of definitional and component methods within the framework of communication-pragmatic approach using the data of corpus linguistics. The article substantiates the need for inclusion of the acquired data into educational materials for ensuring successful communication in the changed polycultural space. As a result, it was established that geopolitical shifts transformed not only the toponymic vocabulary, but also its grammatical paradigm in the Russian and English languages. The semantic differences in the meanings of toponyms in the British and American versions are underlined. The changes enriched the language in its natural evolution (the need for nomination of new objects) or by virtue of nomination practices. The scientific novelty consists in a complex systematization of transformations in the area of ethnonymics with consideration of the new geopolitical reality that forms integral approaches towards linguistic and extralinguistic phenomena. It is demonstrated that the modern geopolitical discourse plays a primary role in attaining new meanings to onyms overall and toponyms in particular. Functioning in different languages, toponyms may differ in their componential structure, which reflects diverse world landscapes captured in languages.