Intraspecific homofelisonyms

The work presents an attempt to fill the gap in the study of intraspecific homonymy in felisonymy. The current research is aimed at determining the specifics of intraspecific homofelisonyms on a modern synchronous section of felisonymic material. The empirical base is made up of felisonyms (proper names of domestic cats; from Latin felis ‘cat’) obtained through a survey of respondents and continuous sampling from the Internet resources. A descriptive method and quantitative calculations are used to analyse the research base. Homonymy in felisonymy turns out to be quite a representative phenomenon. It manifests itself at the intraspecific level through numerous homooppositions, formed at the nomination stage, and includes homonymous felisonyms, which are determined by various nomination motives. The non-closed nature of the motivational base of intraspecific homofelisonyms is shown. The motivational base can be expanded due to additional nomination motives determined by the nominator’s preferences and felisonymic creativity. The specific features of intraspecific homofelisonyms are revealed. Being a felisonymic fragment of the nominator’s linguistic world picture, homofelisonyms represent in a concentrated form the onomastic features of felisonyms in general, namely: the principles underlying the naming process; possible formation by metaphorical and metonymic models; felisonymisation processes; derivational features of felisonyms; the difference between the namesake and homonymous felisonyms. The novelty of the present research appears to be an introduction of a certain layer of felisonymic units into scientific circulation and the presentation of their onomastic characteristics. The practical significance of the research is determined by the possibility of using its materials and conclusions in the development of zoonymy in general and felisonymy in particular, as well as in school and university teaching. Further prospects lie in the study of homonymous shortened felisonyms, which are derivative forms of the main proper names of domestic cats, which formed the empirical base of the current research.

felisonym, felisonymisation, homoopposition, motive of nomination, motivational base, principle of nomination, process of nomination, homonymy, namesaking