On the Classification of the Local Names Once Again

Abstract

1. Bąk's article entitled On the Classification of the Slavonic Local Names was published in the magazine "Onomastica" in 1994. The author put forward a proposal to modify the existing classification of oiconyms worked out a few dozen years ago by W. Taszycki (in 1946). The principal novelty of Bąk's proposal is to highlight the basis of a name and to draw particular attention to the oiconymic fabric. This leads the author to the classification of new types of toponyms: filial (Budki Nowe, B. Stare) and twin toponyms (Czepów Górny and Cz. Dolny), supplementing a series of traditional topographic, cultural, patronymic, ethnic, ancestral and ancillary names.

In the light of the present analysis, however, the names with the oiconymic derivatives form part of the broad class of cultural names with regard to their meaning. With respect to the additional differentiating (morphological or lexical) element all those toponyms fall under a particular semantic profile as forms with an additional feature, expressing a diminutive character (Cieszecinek, Cieszacin Mały), augmentative character (Cieszacin Wielki), temporal variety (Budki Nowe, B. Stare), localization (Podbielsko, Wólka Lubelska), belonging to a person (Wola Kożuszkowa), institution (Borysławice Kościelne), and nation (Jawornik Polski).

The basic criterion for the evaluation of the name is semantic (what the name meant) and its subordinate formal criterion (what is the word-forming name). Apart from these criteria one should take into consideration the manner of describing a place in the description of a toponym: metaphorical (Kociuba, Portki) or literal (Roztoka). As a particular criterion the emotional attitude of the author of toponym is revealed. Humoristic names are thence derived (Portki − Trousers, Żabojady − Frog-eaters, Wygwizdów − Wind-swept Place), commemorative (Mościce, Augustów, Izabelin), and transferred names (Łańcut, Warszawa in the USA).