| Abstract [eng] |
The language in the texts of formal style (administrative, informational, scientific) is very automated and the norms of style are quite strict, so the toponyms usually have only informational purpose, they are used only in their direct meaning and do not acquire any connotation. The situation is quite different in the texts of informal style (colloquial, publicist genres, etc.): here the direct content of toponyms may be overweighed by additional information; the expression and meaning (etymology, the inner form) and the history of a place are actualized; a place- name is used in its indirect meaning (usually as an antonomasia, a symbol), etc. Two components are closely connected in the actualization of a toponym: a word (its phonic composition, formation, semantics) and an image of a place evoked by this word. Three cases of actualization are singled out: 1) an informal, different form of a toponym is presented (for example, the diminutive one); 2) the toponym is actualized by a context, way of usage (for example, different metonymic varieties); 3) the toponym is valued directly; its expression and/or its meaning are addressed by a metalinguistic comment. Metalinguistic comment is usually used with place- names with a specific phonic composition and clear formation, with the names of places with interesting history, peculiar and picturesque nature, and important role in the life of the country or the speaker (the author). In terms of value, the comment may be neutral (focussed on the expression or semantics of a particular toponym) or positive/ negative (the toponym or a place designated by it are evaluated positively or negatively). The actualization of the toponyms of the native country and native language in the texts is the case of realization of the language system, helping to reveal the national specificity of lexis and stylistics. |
