A Linguo-Statistical and Semantic-Structural Analysis of Rodent Nomenclature in English

Аннотация

This article analyzes the linguo-statistical and semantic-structural features of animal names belonging to the order Rodentia in the English language. The research is based on a sample of 51 names. The article statistically examines the structural composition of animal names by the number of words and the frequency of one-word, two-word, and three-word names. Furthermore, it highlights the main principles used in naming rodents, particularly methods such as adding a modifier to a base species name and referring to the animal's specific characteristics or habitat. The most frequent base words and their role in name formation are identified. The research findings reveal the regularities of zoological lexis formation and naming strategies in the English language. Keywords: Zoonyms, rodents, linguo-statistics, naming principles, semantic-structural analysis, English language, word composition, base noun, lexicology. naming principles, word-formation methods, and Introduction: Language is not merely a tool for statistical regularities. This research aims to statistically communication; it is a vital instrument for analyze the structural composition of English rodent understanding the world, reflecting culture, and names based on a sample list according to the number transmitting knowledge across generations. The lexical of words, to identify the main semantic principles in stratum of a language, particularly its zoonymic lexis their naming, and to determine the most frequent base representing the animal kingdom, has consistently (root) words. garnered interest across various linguistic disciplines. Zoonyms encapsulate a particular people's relationship METHODS with nature, their observational acuity, perceptions, The research employed descriptive, comparative, and even their historical development. Due to the statistical analysis, and component analysis methods. widespread global use of the English language today, The findings of this research may hold theoretical and studying its lexical richness, including its zoonymic practical significance for further studies in lexicology, layer, holds significant scientific and practical zoonymy, comparative linguistics, and translation importance. Rodents (Rodentia), one of the largest and studies. To achieve this aim, the following objectives most diverse orders in the animal kingdom, are were set: To compile a sample collection of English distributed across almost all continents and play a names of rodents for analysis. To statistically analyze crucial role in human life and economy. Their the structural composition of the collected names by nomenclature exhibits unique linguistic and linguo- the number of words (one-word, two-word, and three- cultural features in different languages. A linguistic word names) and determine their frequency of analysis of rodent names in English not only allows for occurrence; To identify and illustrate with examples the a deeper understanding of the lexico-semantic system main semantic principles used in naming rodents in of this language but also enables the identification of American Journal Of Philological Sciences 247 https://theusajournals.com/index.php/ajps American Journal Of Philological Sciences (ISSN – 2771-2273) English; To identify the most frequent base (root) descriptive phrases. Illustrative examples include words within the names and assess their role in name House Mouse, Field Mouse, Brown Rat, Kangaroo Rat, formation. Dwarf Hamster, Guinea Pig, Cane Rat, Mole Rat, Hazel Dormouse, and Spiny Mouse. This structure often The study of zoonymic lexis has a long-standing involves a generic noun modified by an adjective or tradition in linguistics. Globally, extensive research has another noun to specify a particular species or been conducted on various aspects of zoonyms, characteristic. including their etymology, semantics, linguo-cultural features, and comparative-typological analysis. For Three-word names: The sample includes 11 names instance, scholars such as Anna Wierzbicka or George (approximately 21.6%) composed of three words. Lakoff have explored the cognitive dimensions of These often provide more detailed research, frequently animal names in their work, while Zoltán Kövecses has incorporating geographical indicators or more specific focused on the linguo-cultural characteristics of descriptive elements. Examples are the North zoonymic metaphors. Within English linguistics itself, American beaver, the Eurasian beaver, the Old World the study of animal names has been approached from porcupine, the naked mole rat, and the Patagonian various perspectives. Early lexicographical works by cavy. figures like Samuel Johnson laid some groundwork by The analysis indicates a clear preference for two-word documenting these terms. More contemporary names in the English nomenclature of this rodent linguists, scholars such as John Lyons, have delved into sample, closely followed by one-word names. Three- the semantic fields and st