Lexico-semantic analysis of Chilean hydronyms

Abstract

Aim is to classify Chilean hydronyms into lexico-semantic groups and identify patterns in the formation of hydronymic system.

Methodology. The study employed descriptive and comparative methods, as well as continuous and random sampling techniques. The main focus of the study is a lexical and semantic analysis of individual layers of Chilean hydronymy. The research materials include data from dictionaries of autochthonous languages, a catalog of limnonyms and potamonyms and geographical maps.

Results. The analysis allowed us to distinguish the main lexico-semantic groups of hydronyms: one reflects physical geographical features of water bodies and their surrounding environments and the other includes names derived from practical human activity. The study reveals semantic fields related to flora and fauna, where a significant group consists of nominations motivated by Indigenous languages. A separate group includes hydronyms motivated by religion, mythology, everyday life and the economic practices of the Chilean ethnic group, as well as anthropohydronyms of Spanish origin. The main features of the Chilean hydronymy include: a high degree of stability, preservation of hydronyms in urbanonyms, transition of hydronyms into other toponymic classes, dual nomination for water bodies separated by a border. Double names are predominantly anthroponyms reflecting the names of national heroes, explorers and important historical figures. Hydronyms, as reflections of Chilean spiritual and cultural life, contain valuable cultural, geographical, historical and ethnographic information that can be interpreted through linguistic analysis.

Research implications. The selected and systematized material can be used for scientific and teaching purposes, as well as for preparing practical and theoretical courses in general and Romance linguistics.