Lexical and semantic character of the Turkic toponyms in the North Kazakhstan region

Abstract

This study is aimed at the lexico-semantic classification of toponyms of the Turkic-speaking peoples of the North Kazakhstan region. Toponyms are one of the main areas of national vocabulary capable of transmitting ethnographic data from the past of an ethnic group. Regional toponyms are important for identifying historical, cultural, and linguistic features. The study's purpose is to reveal the origin of hydronyms—branches of toponyms in the region—their structural and semantic features, and their ethnocultural significance. The lexical and semantic structure of hydronyms was analyzed, and it was found that many of them are associated with natural objects, some with historical events, and some with personalities.  In the course of the work, based on historical data and the results of field research, hydronyms were analyzed and their main semantic groups were identified: natural objects, terrain, names of animals, plants, names related to historical events, and personalities. As a result of the study, data were presented that contribute to complementing the geolinguistic characteristics of the North Kazakhstan region and preserving the national cultural heritage.