Structural and Semantic Analysis of Adigeni Toponyms Based on Field Ethnographic Materials

Abstract

Toponymy is one of the essential branches of linguistics that explores the origin, formation, linguistic structure, and cultural-historical significance of place names. The study of toponyms contributes not only to understanding linguistic and cultural heritage but also supports the reconstruction of the socio-historical and geographical characteristics of a region.
This paper presents toponymic data collected during the student ethnographic expedition organized by Akhaltsikhe State University in 2024 in the villages of the Adigeni region. The toponyms in Adigeni reflect local social, geographical, and historical contexts. The research analyzes names of natural and residential sites—such as mountains, valleys, springs, fields, and neighborhoods — based on fieldwork and oral testimonies.
The aim of the study is to conduct a lexical, structural-semantic, etymological, and cultural analysis of Adigeni's toponyms, in order to determine their linguistic features and historical-cultural significance.
The methodological approach includes documentation of toponyms, interviews with local respondents, and analysis of relevant lexicographic and ethnographic sources. A comparative method was used to examine the linguistic origins and semantic nuances of toponyms by referencing dialectal, terminological, and toponymic dictionaries.
The structural classification identifies simple-rooted, affixed, compound, and modifier-marked toponyms, which reveal diverse layers of language formation. Many names reflect geographical features, local beliefs, ownership, social structures, or historical memory, thus enriching the cultural topography of the region.
The research confirms that Adigeni's toponyms are dynamic linguistic units that embody both linguistic richness and cultural continuity. Their scientific documentation and analysis play a crucial role in preserving linguistic heritage and providing valuable data for future studies.