Semantic motivation of selected multilingual toponyms of the main range of the High Tatra Mountains

Abstract

Toponyms of the High Tatra Mountains are the naming tendencies from the time of the first settlers, wherein the Tatra Mountains created a natural border between different ethnic groups and languages (with four languages being dominant in the area, namely Polish, Slovakian, German, and Hungarian). The interaction between the ethnic groups led to the gradual evolution of naming trends (some objects are named in each of the languages mentioned, i.e. Hinterer Mönch, Zadni Mnich, Druhý Mních, Hátsó Barát). The primary aim of the analysis is to contrast more than 260 selected Polish and foreign oronyms in an effort to compare the system of values and perception of the world conveyed in them. The classification has two parts. The first part is based on the constitutive elements of toponyms, and the second on its distinctive components. It should be highlighted that some toponyms are universal in the sense they do not differ in terms of nomination or motives leading to the formation of a given proper name.