Шығыс дереккөздеріндегі топонимдердің лексика-семантикалық таптастырылуы

S.K. Imanberdi; M. Ekici; A. Assetkyzy

doi:10.32523/2664-5157-2026-3-187-211

Authors

S.K. Imanberdi S.Seifullin Kazakh Agrotechnical Research University https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9151-9881
M. Ekici Ege Üniversitesi https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9400-8462
A. Assetkyzy S.Amanzholov East Kazakhstan University https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4285-312X

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.32523/2664-5157-2026-3-187-211

Keywords:

toponymy, anthropotoponymy, oikonymy, lexical semantic classification, Arabic-Persian sources, Turkic toponymy, eastern sources, potamotoponym, dromonym, tribe

Abstract

The study of toponyms within the territory of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan as recorded in medieval Arab-Persian sources is the focus of this article. Analyzing these toponyms allows us to identify shared historical and cultural information among Turkic peoples, as well as key extralinguistic factors from that era. A total of 250 toponyms were collected from Eastern sources dating from the 9th to 12th century and categorized from a lexicological perspective. This study provides a comprehensive review of the scholarly literature on the lexicostatistical classification of proper names in general onomastics, as well as research dedicated to Arab-Persian historical documents. The methodological framework comprises lexicostatistical, comparative diachronic, contextual, and component analyses. Given that the source material consists of ancient geographical names, grouping, classification, and partial etymological analyses were also applied. The study examines the foundational meanings of ancient Turkic roots in these place names, enabling a historical evaluation of shared Turkic semantics. The primary analytical focus is on clarifying the lexicostatistical classification of ancient toponyms, establishing their overarching Turkic commonality, and mapping their spatial distribution. Toponyms formed from personal names and geographical terms in the works of renowned Eastern travelers, including al-Ya'qubi, Ibn Khordadbeh, Qudama, al-Istakhri, al-Bakri, and al-Idrisi (Abu Abdallah Muhammad), were subclassified based on specific motivations, such as kings, khans, historical figures, mountains, rivers, and cities. Since this material has not been compiled or analyzed comprehensively before, identifying these ancient place names and their origins provides historical toponymy with new data. Identifying toponyms in Arab-Persian sources is essential to determining the routes of medieval international relations, spatial locations, and place names formed via transonymization. Furthermore, ethnotoponyms reveal valuable information about the tribes inhabiting these regions between the 9th and 12th centuries. The analyzed toponyms are clarified using available historical data, and their formative motivations are thoroughly explained. Based on existing scholarly etymologies, supplementary context provided by Arab-Persian travelers regarding each location is included. Tables are provided for each lexicostatistical type, specifying the classification category, the toponym, and the motivation. Investigating motivations such as personal and tribal names, geographical terms, physical features, socially significant neutral words, and obscurely motivated names establishes a basis for future comparative research. This study aims to perform a lexicostatistical analysis of ancient Turkic toponyms in Eastern sources, systematize their taxonomy, and identify their linguistic and historical-cultural features. The study's relevance lies in analyzing linguistic materials that establish Turkic unity as nations define their global identities. Ultimately, the results will serve as a foundation for systematizing Turkic toponymic semantics and will support future research in comparative lexicology.

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Information about author

S.K. Imanberdi, S.Seifullin Kazakh Agrotechnical Research University

Doctor of Philological Sciences, Professor

M. Ekici, Ege Üniversitesi

Professor

A. Assetkyzy, S.Amanzholov East Kazakhstan University

Candidate of Philological Sciences, Associate Professor

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