Transonymization as a process of felisonym formation

Abstract

The article studies the specifics of transonymization as a process of felisonym formation. Transonymization is established as an active process of felisonym formation, reflecting the felisonymic fragment of the nominator’s linguistic world picture. The main categories of onyms that are transonymized into felisonyms at the inter-categorial level are anthroponyms, ideonyms, mythonyms, theonyms, names of verbal trademarks, toponyms, astronyms, culinary names, names of programming languages and software, names of currencies, names of medicines, ergonyms, and names of toys; at the intra-categorial (or interspecific) level, transonymization takes the form of transzoonymization, when proper names of zoological species different from the domestic cat transform to felisonyms; at the intraspecific level, transonymization takes the form of transfelisonimization, when the proper name of one cat is applied to another. The presented list of onomastic categories capable of felisonimization is not considered to be finite and can be supplemented by onyms of other onomastic types. The article reveals that felisonyms, being the product of transonymization, are determined by subject-oriented motives (associated with a particular nominator’s views, interests and preferences) and object-oriented motives (associated with a particular cat’s properties, the place of its discovery and its life story), the leading place being subject-oriented motives. It is stated that nominators use either semantic or grammatical transonimization when choosing a name for their cat. The most productive type appears to be semantic transonymization, which is the direct transition of the onym to the felisonym without concomitant derivational changes. In case of grammatical transonymization, the revealed derivational processes (addition of the diminutive formant, shortening and language games) emphasize the nominator’s positive attitude towards their pets and facilitate communication with them.