The Concept of «Taraz» in the Toponymic Picture of the World

The article presents a review of scholarly works devoted to identifying the motivation underlying the astionym “Taraz.” Based on the results of a questionnaire survey, the background knowledge of language users regarding the motivation of this name is determined, while its associative features are identified through an analysis of its text-forming function. Using a single astionym as the research material, the study examines the role of the community that creates and uses the name in shaping the toponymic picture of the world, as well as the ways in which the social experience, cognitive attitudes, and preferences of language users are reflected in this process. The significant role of space in the formation of the linguistic picture of the world, including its toponymic representation, is revealed. It is shown that social factors and the specific ways in which space is perceived and conceptualized constitute one of the key foundations for the choice of a name. In addition, scholarly studies addressing the role of toponymic concepts in the formation of the picture of the world are analyzed. The study identifies the role of language users in shaping the toponymic picture of the world. Furthermore, the survey results demonstrate the need to organize special courses for a broad audience in order to expand respondents’ background knowledge of place names. The aim of the article is to identify, through conceptual analysis, the main factors associated with the role of the astionym “Taraz” in shaping the toponymic picture of the world of the society in the southern region, as well as to determine the background knowledge of language users through a questionnaire survey. The study employs the descriptive method, literature review, conceptual analysis, semantic analysis, and frame analysis. The research is conducted within lexico-semantic and cognitive approaches. The practical significance of the study lies in the possibility of applying its main findings in theoretical courses on onomastics, including the study of nomination and transonymization, as well as in sociolinguistics, cognitive linguistics, linguocultural studies, and seminars on the practice of teaching the Kazakh language.

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