Turkic Language Speakers’ Perception of Toponyms as Cultural Heritage in the National Epos “Edige”
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17507/tpls.1601.23Keywords:
toponym, folklore, epic poem, cultural heritage, TurkicAbstract
The purpose of the present study is to examine the attitudes of modern native speakers of Turkic languages to the role of place names used in national folklore in preserving their nations’ cultural heritage. This mixed-methods study is based on a specially developed questionnaire to provide quantitative and qualitative data on student youth’s perceptions of toponyms as carriers of cultural heritage in a famous epic poem, which has many versions in different Turkic languages. The participants of the investigation are 214 undergraduate students majoring in Pedagogy and Philology at universities located in Kazakhstan, Tatarstan and Karakalpakstan. The results of the study show that, although toponyms from the epic poem “Edige” are not widely used either in official documents or in everyday situations, they still perform an essential function in preserving the historical and cultural heritage of the Turkic peoples. Through place names, students relate to locations that are historically and culturally important, and the knowledge of their origins and meanings is maintained by means of national folklore. Based on the responses of modern speakers of such Turkic languages as Kazakh, Tatar and Karakalpak, we conclude that the knowledge of place names in epic literature contributes to the collective memory about certain places and passing it down through generations.
References
Aleksenko, V., Chikarkova, M., Skobnikova, O., Stehnitska, L., & Davydenko, N. (2022). Semiotic function of toponyms in “Tales of Peculiar” by Ransom Riggs. Journal of Language and Linguistic Studies, 18(1), 653–662. https://doi.org/10.52462/jlls.210
Aleshinskaya, E. (2020). Translation in forming musical discourse: A case study of English-language song lyrics in Russia. Research in Language, 18(4), 395–405. https://doi.org/10.18778/1731-7533.18.4.03
Aleshinskaya, E. V., & Vasilieva, N. L. (2025). The effect of genre-based learning on teaching academic email writing. Language Related Research, 16(3), 1–27. https://doi.org/10.48311/LRR.16.3.1
Assanov, Z. A., Pangereyev, A. S., Baltymova, M. R., Borash, B. T., & Idrissova, E. T. (2016). “Edigey” as the common heritage of the Turkic people: Historical basis of the epos. International Journal of Environmental and Science Education, 11(14), 6395–6408.
Boribayeva, G., Madiyeva, G., Medetbekova, P., Mambetov, K., & Ingamova, J. (2018). Peculiarities of toponymic reflexes of Kazakhstan. Xlinguae, 11(1), 342–353.
Creswell, J. W., & Plano Clark, V. L. (2011). Designing and conducting mixed method research (2nd ed.). Sage Publications, Inc.
Ganieva, E. S., Osmanova, Z. S., & Mazinov, A. S. (2020). Linguoculturological aspect of studying Turkic toponyms of Crimea. Philology: Scientific Researches, 5, 28–41. https://doi.org/10.7256/2454-0749.2020.5.33007
Groff, C., Hollington, A., Hurst-Harosh, E., Nassenstein, N., Nortier, J., Pasch, H., & Yannuar, N. (Eds.). (2022). Global perspectives on youth language practices. De Gruyter Mouton. https://doi.org/10.1515/9781501514685
Hadieva, G. K., & Akish, I. (2015). The epic poem Edigey and its poetic toponymy. Tatarica, 2(5), 47–60.
Hakala, U., Sjöblom, P., & Kantola, S.-P. (2015). Toponyms as carriers of heritage: Implications for place branding. Journal of Product & Brand Management, 24(3), 263–275. http:// doi.org/10.1108/JPBM-05-2014-0612
Hedquist, S. L., Koyiyumpewa, S. B., Whiteley, P. M., Kuwanwisiwma, L. J., Hill, K. C., & Ferguson, T. J. (2014). Recording toponyms to document the endangered Hopi language. American Anthropologist, 116(2), 324–331. https://doi.org/10.1111/aman.12088
Kenbayeva, A. Z., Bekmasheva, A. N., Umarova, G. S., Shakirova, K. M., & Tuimebekova, A. A. (2022). Functioning of toponymic lexis in Turkic epic literature. Eurasian Journal of Applied Linguistics, 8(3), 45–54. http://doi.org/10.32601/ejal.803004
Kurilova, S. N., Khokholova, I. S., Osipov, B. Ya., & Kantarovich, J. (2023). Folklore narratives on the toponymy of the Russian Far North (based on the Yukaghir, Even, and Yakut languages). Acta Borealia, 40(2), 140–168. https://doi.org/10.1080/08003831.2023.2264661
Lanovaya, T. V. (2021). Units reflecting the geographic and biological diversity of the region: Linguoculturological aspect. In I. V. Kovalev, A. A. Voroshilova, & A. S. Budagov (Eds.), Economic and social trends for sustainability of modern society (ICEST-II 2021), vol. 116. European Proceedings of Social and Behavioural Sciences (pp. 403-411). European Publisher. https://doi.org/10.15405/epsbs.2021.09.02.44
Lethbridge, E. (2016). The Icelandic sagas and saga of landscapes: Writing, reading and retelling Íslendingasögur narratives. Gripla, XXVII, 51–92.
Lim Tyan Gin, S., & Perono Cacciafoco, F. (2021). Toponyms as a gateway to society: An Abui case study. Old World: Journal of Ancient Africa and Eurasia, 1(1), 1–18. https://doi.org/10.1163/26670755-01010008
Lippa, R. A., Preston, K., & Penner, J. (2014). Women’s representation in 60 occupations from 1972 to 2010: More women in high-status jobs, few women in things-oriented jobs. PLoS One, 9, Article e95960. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0095960
Lutfullina, A. (2021). Linguoculturological approach to studying toponyms of the UK. International Journal of World Languages, 1(2). Retrieved March 10, 2025, from https://ejournals.id/index.php/IJWL/article/view/210
Mamayev, Z. B., Boranbayev, S. R., Karabayeva, K. A., Issayeva, Z. I., & Mamayeva, G. B. (2021). Kazakh-Uzbek literary relations: History and specificity of literary translation. International Journal of Society, Culture & Language, 9(2), 114–122.
Nurdauletova, B. I. (2012). Mythopoetisms in the epos „Maulimniyaz-Edige“. Modern Problems of Science and Education, 3, 1–8.
Orlov, A. S. (1945). Kazakh heroic epos. Nauka.
Pangereyev, A. S., Umatova, Z. M., Azamatova, A. K., Ibrayeva, Z. K., Karagoishiyeva, D. A., Umarova, G. S., & Kenbayeva, A. Z. (2023). Ethnocultural originality of color toponyms in Turkic folklore. Eurasian Journal of Applied Linguistics, 9(3), 216–225. http://doi.org/10.32601/ejal.903019
Sagitov, I. S. (1986). Karakalpak heroic epos. Karakalpakstan.
Seidl, N. P. (2019). Engraved in the landscape: The study of spatial and temporal characteristics of field names in the changing landscape. Names, 67(1), 16–29.
Shunkeyeva, S. A., Zhetpisbayeva, B. A., Smagulova, G. T., Syrymbetova, L. S., & Dyakov, D. V. (2020). English language’s functioning in the students’ microcommunity: A case of Kazakhstan. Journal of Siberian Federal University. Humanities & Social Sciences, 13(9), 1529–1540. https://doi.org/10.17516/1997-1370-0661
Tadjibaeva, A. E. (2020). Specific features of the language in the development of culture. Issues of Modern Science and Education, 3, 82–84.
Tektigul, Zh. O., Karabaev, M. I., Duzmagambetov, E. A., & Bayadilova-Altybayeva, A. B. (2021). Mythological aspect of some Kazakh toponyms. International Journal of Humanities and Natural Sciences, 4-2(55), 71–75.
Toibazar, A., Dautova, G., Aliyev, Y., Turdali, T., & Zhalgasbayeva, K. (2025). Ethnic narratives in education: The role of Kazakh epics in preserving cultural heritage and identity. Journal of Ethnic and Cultural Studies, 12(1), 154–177. https://doi.org/10.29333/ejecs/2414
Turdibekov, M. T. (2021). Toponyms as a cultural value heritage. International Journal on Integrated Education, 4(6), 22–24.
Urmanche, F. I. (2015). Turkic heroic epos. Iyali.
Vasil’eva, S. P., & Dmitrieva, L. M. (2021). Review of toponymic studies of Altai and Siberia in the anthropocentric paradigm. Journal of Siberian Federal University. Humanities & Social Sciences, 14(4), 478–488. https://doi.org/10.17516/1997-1370-0735
Zhanibekova, B. N., & Beisenova, Z. S. (2021). Anuar Alimzhanov’s aesthetic position and its artistic realization. International Journal of Society, Culture & Language, 9(2), 203–211.
Zhanpeissova, N., & Kuzembayeva, G. (2019). The epic Edige in Kazakhstan. Intercultural Communication, 1(6), 21–35. https://doi.org/10.13166/inco/102845
Zhumabayeva, Z. (2022). Kh. Dosmukhamedov about the oral history of the Kazakhs. Bulletin of the Khalel Dosmukhamedov Atyrau University, 65(2), 25–32. https://doi.org/10.47649/vau.2022.v65.i2.03
