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Eurasian bilingual hydronyms nominations with the components
"ak/kara"
Aislu Shuriyeva ‒ Gulzhana Kuzembayeva ‒ Abat Pangereyev ‒ Sharapat
Abisheva ‒ Aliya Zhetkizgenova
DOI: 10.18355/XL.2024.17.02.02
Abstract
Toponyms, not just geographical names, carry historical, geographical, and linguistic
information and provide rich evidence of epochs. The names of places mirror the
culture and lifestyle of people related to them and have unique features. Toponymical
researches have a long history, however, there are some problems that complicate the
interpretation of toponyms. Disputable issues related to the definition of toponyms
sources require greater attention from linguistics, and historical and geographical
sciences. The present study aims to explore Turkic hydronyms with the components
"aq/ak" and "qara/kara" to identify their nomination specificity. The descriptive
research design employs the methods of a complex linguistic and etymological
analysis. The research data comprises of Turkic hydronyms, naming bodies of water
located in the territory of the Eurasian space – Afghanistan, Armenia, Kazakhstan,
China, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan.
The conducted study demonstrates that the nomination of the hydronyms with the
components "aq/ak" and "qara/kara" is not related to the color specifics of the bodies
of water. The hydronyms with the component "aq/ak" name the water resources that
are mountain snowy waters and originate from glaciers, whereas the component
"qara/kara" in Turkic hydronyms indicates the spring origin of waters.
Key words: toponyms, hydronyms, names of bodies of water, Eurasia, Turkic roots,
nomination
Introduction
Toponyms are more than just geographical names; they contain geographical and
linguistic information as well as evidence of historical epochs. The names of various
regions are a reflection of the culture and lifestyle of those who reside there, and each
region has its own characteristics. Even though toponymic research has existed for
many centuries, and the an abundance of books dedicated to the study of toponyms,
many issues still complicate their interpretation. Not all Turkic toponyms have
survived to this day; some of them have been changed, and some have been forgotten.
That is why the study of toponyms, noted in historical sources, has great importance.
The issue of stratigraphic division of Turkic geographical names, due to the multi-
layered nature of their composition, is one of the rather contentious ones (Murzayev,
1996). Turkic toponyms can be classified in different ways, including the Turkic
layer, borrowed names, and substratum groups, which incorporate elements from
different languages. However, even now, most local names still contain Turkic
elements, particularly in areas where Turkic-speaking people reside.
XLinguae, Volume 17 Issue 2, April 2024, ISSN 1337-8384, eISSN 2453-711X
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The lack of extensive research identifying the practice of nomination and model of
distribution of certain toponyms and their geographical characteristics in world
practice is another problem. Our study aims to explore Turkic hydronyms (toponyms
designating the proper name of a body of water) on the territory of Eurasia. The
relevance of our research lies in identifying the Turkic layer in the toponymy of
Central Asia, shedding light on the nomination specificity of rivers, lakes, seas, bays,
and channels with the components "aq/ak" and "qara/kara". The study results will
contribute to the reconstruction of the former landscape and deepen our knowledge of
the etymology of hydronyms and their word-formation structure in relation to
geographical characteristics.
Literature Review
Toponymy is a section of onomastics that studies the geographical names of objects,
including their origin, development, spelling, pronunciation, structure, distribution
area and current state. The collection of all toponyms in a certain area forms its
toponymy. Within the framework of linguistics, toponyms can be classified based on
the type of geographical objects and structure. According to the type of geographical
objects, hydronyms, oronyms, urbanists, microtoponyms, macrotoponyms are
distinguished. In this study, we will focus on hydronyms.
Toponyms, as well as hydronyms, attracted the attention of researchers of all times,
starting from ancient authors and the Middle Ages. Although there is no doubt that
most of the toponymic vocabulary of any language is native, there is also a borrowed
component. Similarly, in the regions where not only local people lived, toponymic
names were created not only by locals but also by representatives of other ethnic
groups.
The study of Turkic toponyms is important in clarifying the territories that historically
belonged to the Turkic peoples and requires further study. Over time, many toponyms
change or are completely forgotten. Therefore, not all historical toponyms reach our
days. That is why the study of localities names noted in historical sources is important
to consider. All these geographical names preserve the rich appearance of the Turkic
languages.
The toponymy of each region, no matter how isolated it is, is closely related to the
toponymy of other regions, and these connections can be lexical and typological.
They can be expressed in that toponyms of other regions are completely repeated in a
given territory or their individual elements are found, as well as, in toponyms of a
given territory are built according to the same models as toponyms of other territories.
Turkic-speaking people have historically lived in the northeastern and central regions
of Asia, Central Asia, the North Caucasus, Eastern Transcaucasia, Asia Minor, and
Northern Iran. Their nomadic lifestyle contributed to the development of toponyms
across vast lands. Turkic toponyms are found in large quantities, even in those areas
where Turkic people do not currently live (Murzayev, 1996). Turkic toponyms and
hydronyms are widespread throughout the European continent and are found in
Alaska, North America, Arab countries, and in the northeast of India (Budagov,
1997). Turkic origin is present in all places named after Turkic people, such as the
Deccan plateau in the northern periphery of the Eurasian continent and Kamchatka in
the Far East (Wendt, 2013). Turkisms are identified in the toponymy of Iran
(Demirchay, Adzhichay, Sarychay, Karasu, Kyzyluzen, Akbolak), Iraq (the rivers
Iarynchay, Kurichay, Aksu), Kashmir (village Kyz Tslyangar), and Bulgaria (Uzun
Kum – "long sands").
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Numerous publications are dedicated to the study of toponyms that have Turkic
origins. Spinei (2010), in his work "The Romanians and The Turkic Nomads North of
the Danube Delta from the Tenth to the Mid-Thirteenth Century," conducted a
historical synthesis of Turkic place names in Moldova and Muntenia. D. Moldovanu
(2010), in his article "Hydronyms of ancient Turkic origin in the south of Moldova",
described in detail some Turkic hydronyms on the territory of Moldova.
O.E. Polyakov and N.V. Letkina (2022) identified 90 units of Turkic toponyms in the
toponymic vocabulary of the Mordovian languages. Toponyms of Turkic origin found
both in the territory of Mokshans' residence and in the territory of Erzyans' residence,
were extracted both from the works of Finno-Ugric researchers and various
dictionaries.
According to the German linguist and Balkanist, G. Weigand (1921), more than 20
names of rivers in Romania have the suffix -lui or ui. This indicates the Turkic origin
of hydronyms such as Bahlui, Băldălui, Bărlui, Bănăgui, Călmăţui, Călui, Covurlui,
Desnăţui, Suhurlui, Teslui, Turlui, Urlui, Vaslui, Gemărtălui/Geamărtălui. These
suffixes are also present in some hydronyms of Moldova and Muntenia (Weigand,
1921).
Exploring ethnonyms and toponyms of the old Turkic inscriptions in Chinese sources,
N. Kenzheakhmet (2014) states that ancient Turkic onomastics were preserved in
ancient Chinese chronicles. Most of them, however, are currently being renamed into
Chinese.
According to Al. Ilieș, Ilieș, D.C. and A. Deac (2015), place names are as precise and
persuasive as the Earth's language. Consequently, the place names are recognized for
their superior accuracy and expression, which identifies certain characteristics of the
area. (Aspandiyarov, 2005). Effective human activity in a particular natural area is the
primary factor that determines the influence of the geographical environment on the
development of toponyms, which reflects the most alluring aspects of toponyms and
provides information loads (Saparov et al., 2017).
G.K. Konkashpayev (1951) claims that nomadism led to the exceptional watchfulness
necessary to exploit the land's natural features to manage farms. Because of their
lifestyle, the nomads were able to observe even the smallest details of the pasture,
which could serve as markers for migration or as a fortified area for livestock during
unpleasant weather. They gained insight into various pastures' unique features,
including lay, climate, vegetation, water sources, utilization season, and livestock
suitability. A specific phrase is unique to each aspect of a mountain, shallow river,
lake, meadow, or other natural feature, and it's not easy to find in other languages,
particularly among agricultural people. This is because using river valleys as pasture
land was crucial for breeders, and local conditions such as the river's water content
and vegetation characteristics were significant (Saparov et al., 2017). The names of
bodies of water indicate their microgeographic position – whether a river passes by a
plant or next to a habitat, where it splits off, whether it is above or below a mountain,
and how isolated it is (Eshboev, 2020).
Research methods
The study aims to investigate Turkic hydronyms with the components "aq/ak" and
"qara/kara" across the entire area of Eurasia in order tto the nomination specificity of
rivers, lakes, seas, bays, and channels with these Turkic roots names.
Toponymic research involves the use of various approaches and methods (Polyakov &
Letkina, 2022). A descriptive research design employed the literature review methods,
data collection and data systematization, a linguistic interpretation and a complex
etymological analysis. A comparative historical and geographical method and
structural and areal methods were utilized to analyze lexical material, taking into
account the connection of the history of the language with the history of its speakers
and their place.
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The literature review is crucial for formulating the main ideas and trends and
substantiating our study's theoretical foundation. To achieve the study goal, we
employed historical-comparative and comparative-typological methods effective for
the comparative study of toponyms, and organized the information about hydronyms
under study through the data systematization method. The geographical method is
based on the use of geographical terms – words denoting the features of a
geographical object, its type and gender, that enable the reconstruction of past
geographical situations and identify various components of the natural landscape.
The research data included Turkic hydronyms selected from various sources such as
toponymical dictionaries, encyclopedias, and research articles. The importance of
collecting, analyzing and systematizing hydronyms is since, over time, they can
disappear or transform.
Results and Discussion
Most of the Turkic place names consist of binary words – usually, adjectives coming
first, that denote the characteristics of objects. Many toponyms of Turkic origin are
related to colors: Aqsu (white water), Aqbulak (white spring), Qarasu (black water),
Qarabutak (black spring), Qaraozek (black river), Qonyrsu (brown water), Sarybulaq
(yellow spring). A similar conclusion was reached by F.G. Khisamitdinova et al.
(2019), explaining that color terms can be considered a shared feature of the Turkic
toponymy as a whole and the reflection of the color features of the surrounding
environment and the region.
The most common components in the Turkic toponymy are "aq/ak" (white) and
"qara/kara" (black). The Kazakh-Russian dictionary contains five meanings of the
word aq and eight meanings of the word qara. The main meaning of aq is "white",
and that of qara is "black". However, the dictionary defines the term qarasu as "still
water" and "pond" (Makhmudov & Musabaev, 1987), whereas aqsu is not a type of
river whose water color is white (Konkashpayev1970).
Names of water bodies determine their microgeographic position, and the name of the
river, for instance, may indicate whether the river is above or below the mountain,
where it flows or branches, and which plants germinate nearby. E.M. Murzayev
(1984) indicates that the component "aq/ak" in the names of rivers means "waters,
originating in the mountains and surrounding deserts". G.K. Konkashpayev (1970)
emphasizes that qarasu is a spring river, the water of which is always clear, and the
term qara/kara has nothing in common with the meaning "black". The term qara/kara
is used in the meaning of "land", i.e., kara-su – "land-water", "water from the earth".
This ties well with the definitions of qarasu / وصارق' in the Karachay-Balkar and Altai
languages such as "spring", "non-freezing", "clean spring water" (Kokov &
Shakhmurzaev, 1970).
In the Turkic mythology, the Universe consists of three worlds – the eternal sky, the
middle world, and the underground (lower) world. The eternal sky is a haven for the
god Tengri, the middle world is for people, and the god Erlik lives in the underworld.
The ancient Turks called the middle world "Aq" and the underground world – "Qara"
(Sultan'yayev, 1971). Hence, they might use the component "qara" in hydronyms, fed
by waters coming out of the ground (springs). And if the water basin is formed with
the help of melted glaciers, snow or rain, it is the merit of the middle world. Such
water bodies were named using the component "aq", or the component "qara" was
simply absent in the name of the water body.
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This goes in line with the geographer N.N. Palgov (1959), indicating that "...the
epithet "black" is due to the fact that these rivers are fed by groundwater". Foothill
areas are home to this river, which receives most of its water from the melting snow
and ice in the mountain catchment. Black tributary (Qarabutak, Qarasu) carries cool
waters since springs flow with cold water.
We have considered Turkic hydronyms with elements "aq/ak" and "qara/kara" to
deeply explore these theories on the nomination of bodies of water and the etymology
of hydronyms. We selected hydronyms of the Eurasian space, comprising the
countries of Afghanistan, Armenia, Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia,
Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan.
The ratio of Turkic hydronyms with component "aq/ak" on the territory of Eurasia is
presented in Figure 1.
Figure 1. The ratio of hydronyms with the component "aq/ak"
Most of the hydronyms with component "aq/ak" are located in the territory of
Kazakhstan (50%). Less amount of them are found in Uzbekistan (15.4%) and
Tajikistan (7.6%), Afghanistan, China, Mongolia, Russia, and Ukraine (3.8%).
Table 1 describes the Turkic hydronyms with the component "aq/ak" on the territory
of Eurasian space.
Table 1. Hydronyms with the component "aq/ak"
Country
Hydronym
Description
Afghanistan
Aksu
A river flowing from the mountain lake
Chakmaktyn
Kazakhstan
Aqsu
Begins on the northern slopes of Zhetysus Alatau
Aqbalshyk
A lake in Pavlodar region, Pavlodar city
Aqdala
A lake in Karagandy region, Nura district
Aqzhaiyk
A river in Atyrau region, Makhambet district
Aqzharyk
A river in Karagandy region, Karkara district
Aqkora
A river in Karagandy region, Bukar Zhyrau district
Afghanistan
Kazakhstan
China
Kyrgyzstan
Mongolia
Russia
Tajikistan
Ukraine
Uzbekistan
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Aqkudyk
A source, Karagandy region, Aktoya district
Aqmalay
A salt lake in Pavlodar region, May district
Aqmamyk
A salt lake in Karagandy region, Ulytau district
Aqoylake
A lake in the Northern Kazakhstan, M. Zhumabaev
region
Aqsu
A river in Zhambyl district
Aqtaiynsha
A lake in Pavlodar region, Aksu village
Aqtuie
A lake in Pavlodar region, Ekibastuz village
China
Aksu
A mountain river (Tian-Shan), tributary of Tarim in
Xinjiang-Uyghur Autonomous Region of China
Kyrgyzstan
Aksu
(Saryjaz)
A tributary of the Tarim. The river originates from
the Semenov glacier in the Central Tien Shan
mountains of Kyrgyzstan, near the point of
intersection with Kazakhstan and China.
Aksu
A river, the left tributary of the Chu. It originates
from the northern slopes of the Kyrgyz ridge. It
flows into the Tasotkel reservoir
Mongolia
Aksu
A river, the sources of which are located on the
glacier of the Mongolian Altai Mountains
Russia
Aksai
A river in Volgograd region, which originates in
Ergeni and is fed mainly by snow
Tajikistan
Aksu
The Bartang river in the upper reaches
Aksu
The Isfara River in the upper reaches
Ukraine
Aksu
The Southern Bug River during the Mongol
conquests, Ukraine
Uzbekistan
Akbulak
A river in Namangan region, the riverbed is located
in Tashkent region
Akdakhana
The Kamashi River basin
Aksu
The river Katta Uradarya in the upper reaches
Aksu /
Akdar'ya
A river in Uzbekistan, the left tributary of the
Kashkadarya
The Akbulak River (white spring), whose source is located in Namangan region, and
the riverbed is located in Tashkent region, the Republic of Uzbekistan, originates in
the highlands of the Chatkal ridge (Aitbayev & Hikmatov, 2013). The Akdarya River,
located in Kashkadarya region, Uzbekistan, in the upper reaches is called Aksu. The
snow-glacial river originates on the slopes of the Hissar ridge and flows into the
Kashkadarya River (Tomashevskaya, Sabitov & Sirlibaeva, 2014; Eshboev, 2020).
The component "ak" in these hydronyms indicates that rivers are saturated with snowy
waters originating from the high part of the mountain.
The rivers Aksu in Tajikistan are mountain waters that originated in the glaciers of
Turkestan Ridge and run from south to north until they flow into the Syr Darya
(Mirboboev, Rakhimov & Shermatov, 2013). The hydronym indicates that the rivers
Aksu in Tajikistan are fed by glacial meltwater, which confirms the theory related to
the component "aq/ak".
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The county Aksu in Xinjiang, China, is known for its high-quality cotton, horticulture
and mountain landscape. The Aksu District is named after the Aksu river, formed as a
result of the melting of countless glaciers on Tomur Peak. Tarim's water source is the
deep Aksu, which is the biggest inland river in China (Uson uulu et al., 2022). Rising
from the Tien Shan glaciers, Aksu crosses the border of China and Kyrgyzstan. In
Kyrgyzstan, the river has two names – Aksu and Saryjaz.
Another river in Kyrgyzstan, called Aksu, originates on the northern slopes of Kyrgyz
ridge. Aksu is a left tributary of the Chu River and flows into the Tasotkel reservoir.
The river Aksu, located in the extreme northeast of Afghanistan in the province of
Badakhshan, flows from the mountain lake Chakmaktyn. On the territory of
Afghanistan, the Aksu flows about 30 kilometers in a north-easterly direction, then in
an easterly direction along the state border of Afghanistan and Tajikistan.
The hydronym Aksu is also found in Mongolia (Rybkina & Rotanova, 2016),
indicating a river, the sources of which are located on the glacier of the Mongolian
Altai Mountains.
There is a large number of hydronyms with the components "aq" and "qara" in
Kazakhstan. The left tributary of the river Aschysu in Pavlodar region, that flows into
the Irtysh, is called Aksu, white and clear waters of which are fed by snow waters
(Saparov, 2011). Another example is the hydronym Aqsu – a small low-water river in
the northern part of Almaty region in Kazakhstan. It originates in Dzhungar Alatau
glaciers, which suggests that the river is fed by glaciers and snow.
Based on the analyses of hydronyms with the component "aq/ak" on Eurasia, it can be
concluded that they name mountain rivers, that supports the theory that their
nomination is connected to their geographical characteristics, not their color.
Figure 2 indicates the ratio of Turkic hydronyms with the component "qara/kara" in
Eurasia, namely in Afghanistan, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia,
Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.
Figure 2. Ratio of hydronyms with component "qara"
The Turkic hydronyms with the component "qara/kara" were found in Afghanistan,
Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. The main
part of them is located on the territory of Kazakhstan (81,4%), followed by Russia and
Uzbekistan (4.6%). The same amount of water resources with the component
"qara/kara" in the name is found on the territory of Afghanistan, Armenia, Kyrgyzstan
and Turkmenistan (2.3%). Russia
Table 2 describes the Turkic hydronyms with the component "qara/kara" on the
territory of Eurasian space.
Afghanistan
Armenia
Kazakhstan
Kyrgyzstan
Russia
Turkmenistan
Uzbekistan
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Table 2. Hydronyms with the component "qara/kara"
Country
Hydronym
Description
Afghanistan
Karasu
A river that flows into Zorkul
Armenia
Karasu (now
Sevjur)
A river flows from the springs of Aragats
mountain range (Araks river's tributory)
Kazakhstan
Qara-Kengir
A river originates from a spring, which located
seven kilometers east of Lake Baraqkol and
flows into the Sarys river
Qaratorgai
A river in Akmola region, Ereymentau district
Qaraadyr
A salt lake in Pavlodar region, Bayanaul district
Qaraarsha
A river in Almaty region, Ezbekshikazak
district
Qaraaryk
A river in Almaty region, Aksu District
Qarabarkas
A lake in Zhambyl region, Sarysu district
Qarabastau
A river in Almaty region, Talgar district
Qarabastuz
A river in the East Kazakhstan, Semey district
Qarabau
A river in Atyrau Region, Inder District
Qarabauyr
A lake in Akmola region, Zerendy district
Qaraboget
A river in Almaty Region, Alakgul District
Qarabuka
A river in Akmola region, Astana city
Qarabulak
A river in Akmola region, Ereymentau district
Qarabuta
A river in East Kazakhstan
Qarabutak
A river in Aktobe Region, Iteke Bi District
Qaraeren
A river in Almaty region, Uigyr district
Qaraespe
A river in Almaty region, Zhambyl district
Qarazhar
A river in Akmola Region, Shortan District
Qarazhartas
A river in Karagandy region, Shet district
Qarazhurt
A river in Almaty region, Panfilov district
Qarakol
A river in Akmola region, Esil district
Qarakonys
A river in Almaty region, Zhambyl district
Qarakonyz
A river in Zhambyl region, Kordai district
Qarakudyk
Ariver in Akmola region, Akkul district
Qarakudyk
A river in Karagandy region, Aktoya district
Qaraoy
A river in Aktbe region, Oyil district
Qaraozen
A river in Volga-Zhayik basin
Qaraolen
A lake in Pavlodar region, Akku district
Qarasu
A river in Karagandy region, Nura district
Qarasuyk
A lake in Pavlodar region, Kashir district
Qaratuz
A lake in Aktobe region, Yrgyz district
Qaratuma
A river in Almaty Region, Uyyoyr District
Qaraturyk
A lake in Almaty region, Ezbekshikazak district
Qaratus
A river in Mangystau region
Qaraui
A river in Kostanay region, Zhetykara district
Qaratorgai
A river in Kostanay Region, Arkalyk District
Kyrgyzstan
Karasu
Kyzylsu (on the territory of Kyrgyzstan –
Kyzyl-Suu; translated from Kyrgyz as "red
water") is a mountain river in Kyrgyzstan and
Tajikistan, which source is located on the
slopes of the Zaalai ridge. The river flows
24
through the Alai Valley and before the
confluence of the Aylama River is called
Karasu.
Russia
Biyuk-Karasu
A river, located in Crimea and fed by the
largest spring Karasu-Bashi (karst springs)
Kuchuk-Karasu
A river, located in Crimea
Turkmenista
n
Karasu
A river in the Northern Kopetdag
Uzbekistan
Karasu
The right tributary of the Akdarya River
(Kashkadarya tributary, Kashkadarya viloyat)
Karasu
The right bank – canal in Tashkent viloyat, the
left branch of the Bozsu canal
The bed of the Qara-Kengir River lies on the territory of the Ulytau region
(Kazakhstan), as well as within the administrative boundaries of the city of
Zhezkazgan, Karagandy region. The Qara-Kengir river originates from a spring,
which is located seven kilometers east of Lake Baraqkol and flows into the Sarys river
(Tseshkovskaya, Oralova & Tsoy, 2016).
The Biyuk-Karasu river located in Crimea is fed by the largest spring Karasu-Bashi
(karst springs, Ivanyutin & Podovalova, 2019). Translated from Turkic, Biyuk-Qasaru
means "big black river" because the Tatars also called any river that emerges from the
ground "black". And Qarasu-Bashi - is a great loud spring flowing from the huge
mouth of a karst cave. This spring is the most powerful on the peninsula.
The lake Shalkar-Egiz-Kara in the Orenburg region (Russia), on the border with
Aktobe region (Kazakhstan), is very similar in shape and size to the lake Shalqar in
Aktobe region (Kazakhstan), probably causing the component "egiz" (twin) in the
name. However, the lake Shalkar-Egiz-Kara differs from its "twin brother" – the lake
Shalqar, into which several rivers flow. The location of the lake Shalkar-Egiz-Kara on
the map clearly demonstrates that no river flows into it. The component "kara" in the
name indicating the presence of springs may explain the lake's replenishing its pool.
The river Karasu in Armenia, renamed Sevjur at present, flows from the springs of the
Aragats mountain range.
Thus, the study results prove that the Turkic hydronyms with the component
"qara/kara" name the bodies of water from underground, a spring. This confirms the
theory about the hydronyms with the component "qara/kara" that mostly denote the
bodies of water having spring waters.
The study findings are consistent with (Khisamitdinova et al., 2019), stating that
symbolic meaning is conveyed by all color terms belonging to the most ancient part of
the vocabulary in many languages.
Conclusion
The present study explored Turkic hydronyms with the components "aq/ak" and
"qara/kara". There were considered the Turkic hydronyms located on the territory of
the Eurasian space, especially in Afghanistan, Armenia, Kazakhstan, China,
Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan
were considered.
The study results show that the etymology and word formation structure of Turkic
hydronyms is often related to the geographical characteristics of the bodies of water.
The nomination specificity of rivers, lakes, seas, bays, and channels with the
components "aq/ak" and "qara/kara" is similar in the hydronyms of the Eurasian space
with these components.
The conducted study demonstrates that the nomination of the hydronyms with the
components "aq/ak" and "qara/kara" is not related to the color specifics of the bodies
XLinguae, Volume 17 Issue 2, April 2024, ISSN 1337-8384, eISSN 2453-711X
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of water. The hydronyms with the component "aq/ak" name the water resources that
are mountain snowy waters and originate from glaciers. In turn, the component
"qara/kara" in Turkic hydronyms indicates the spring origin of waters.
The study proved that toponyms serve as a significant source of worldview
knowledge and it also has a linguocultural meaning. Geographical objects are
determined by the characteristics of the geographical environment as a primary
principle. The development of toponymic research is influenced by the complicated
descriptive study of the relationship between hydronyms and their geographical
characteristics.
Acknowledgments
We would like to express our great appreciation to Emmanuel Inegbedion MA
TESOL, MSc HRIRM, BA English (linguistics), Senior lecturer at Yessenov Univery
(Kazakhstan, Aktau), for proofreading this research work. His willingness to give his
time generously has been much appreciated.
This research is funded by the Science Committee of the Ministry of Science and
Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan (Grant No. АР13068325).
26
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Words: 4983
Characters: 33 209 (18, 45 standard pages)
Aislu Shuriyeva
Department of Kazakh literature
K. Zhubanov Aktobe Regional University
ave. Aliya Moldagulova 34
030000 Aktobe
Republic of Kazakhstan
ais_ub@mail.ru
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0000-7887-2720
Assoc. Prof. Gulzhana Kuzembayeva, PhD.
Department of English and German Languages
K. Zhubanov Aktobe Regional University
ave. Aliya Moldagulova 34
030000 Aktobe
Republic of Kazakhstan
kuzembayeva@mail.ru
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8964-3683
Prof. Abat Pangereyev, Dr.
Department of Kazakh literature
K. Zhubanov Aktobe Regional University
ave. Aliya Moldagulova 34
030000 Aktobe
Republic of Kazakhstan
pan.abat@mail.ru
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7725-5576
28
Assoc. prof. Sharapat Abisheva
Sh. Yessenov Caspian University of Technologies and Engineering
Department of Kazakh philology
Microdistrict 32
130000 Aktau
Republic of Kazakhstan
abisheva_sharapat@mail.ru
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4856-9936
Assoc. prof. Aliya Zhetkizgenova
Sh. Yessenov Caspian University of Technologies and Engineering
Department of Kazakh philology
Microdistrict 32
130000 Aktau
Republic of Kazakhstan
aliyazhetkizgenova@mail.ru
ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9641-0199
