ISSUES IN THE STUDY OF ONOMASTIC UNITS IN AZERBAIJANI LINGUISTICS

Abstract

The article comprehensively examines the issues related to the study of onomastic units in Azerbaijani linguistics, providing a theoretical analysis of the place of proper names in the language system, their lexical-semantic characteristics, formation processes, structural features, and historical stages of development. Onomastics, as an important branch of linguistics, is considered a significant source for studying the historical past, ethnic origins, settlement areas, national and cultural values, and linguistic interactions of the Azerbaijani people with other nations. The article explores the main characteristics, classification, and position within the vocabulary of the Azerbaijani language of anthroponyms, toponyms, hydronyms, ethnonyms, and other categories of proper names. At the same time, the roles of historical, geographical, ethnic, social, and cultural factors in the formation of onomastic units are identified, and the importance of investigating the semantic content and etymological origins of names is substantiated.

The study emphasizes that, alongside names of Turkic origin, the Azerbaijani onomastic lexicon has also been shaped by names that emerged through linguistic contacts with other languages during different historical periods. In this regard, the importance of historical sources, archival documents, ancient written monuments, dialectal materials, and comparative linguistic methods in determining the origins of proper names is highlighted. The article also addresses issues related to the examination of the phonetic, morphological, and semantic characteristics of onomastic units, the identification of their historical forms, the comparison of different variants, and their standardization in accordance with contemporary linguistic norms.

Furthermore, the study focuses on existing challenges in Azerbaijani onomastic research, including the collection and systematization of local names, the scientific substantiation of etymological interpretations, the preservation of regional onomastic materials, and the necessity of establishing electronic databases. The prospects for applying digital technologies, geographic information systems, and electronic resources to onomastic research are also evaluated.

The primary objective of the research is to identify the distinctive characteristics of the Azerbaijani onomastic system, reveal the linguistic and historical significance of proper names, and substantiate the theoretical and practical importance of their comprehensive investigation. The study concludes that the systematic and comparative examination of onomastic units makes a significant contribution to a deeper understanding of the historical development of the Azerbaijani language, the ethnic and cultural heritage of its people, and their national memory.