Contemporary changes in Bulgarian names of kinship and family affinity (based on survey results)

Abstract

The object of the analysis are Bulgarian of kinship and family affinity names, the aim is to determine whether there have been changes in their functioning, possibly which specific units have been affected by these changes and whether, it is possible, to identify more permanent trends in the units studied. The research was conducted using a survey. The results showed that the Bulgarian family name system, often described as complex, has undergone and continues to undergo simplification in actual language practice. This can be seen, on the one hand, in the gradual withdrawal of some names from the system, and on the other – in the extension of the semantics and functions of some names, which replace other family names. According to the Author, the reasons for the simplification of the analyzed system are primarily of an extralinguistic nature. Among them, globalization and the influence of a foreign lifestyle are of great importance, which also results in foreign models of linguistic behavior. Another important factor is the structure of the modern Bulgarian family, represented mainly by single-child families, a large number of partnerships with children, and a large number of single-parent families. Taking all these factors into account, the Author foresees further simplification of the system of Bulgarian names of kinship and family affinity.