POLYSEMANTIC RELATIONSHIPS OF SOME GEOGRAPHICAL TERMS

Аннотация

This article explores the issue of term polysemy, particularly the ambiguity in technical terminology. It explains how words can acquire multiple meanings depending on context and provides practical examples of polysemy using geographical terms like "World," "Coast," "Channel," and "Mountain." The paper emphasizes the critical importance of considering polysemy when translating technical literature. Keywords: Polysemy, terminology, ambiguity, technical terms, geographical terms, translation, linguistics, context, semantics, term. Many linguists focused a lot of attention on the issue of terms’ polysemy. Linguists are particularly interested in the formation of technical words and the analysis of translation issues. In contemporary terminology, a lot of thought is given to how terms work in speech. The majority of English words are ambiguous and can have many meanings depending on the context, particularly when it comes to technical jargon. It is crucial to do a thorough investigation of how the terminology’ systems operate in the unique environment. The situation when a single word has two or more related meanings is known as polysemy in English linguistics. The Greek words poly (many) and sema (sign/meaning) are where the name originates. Therefore, depending on the context, a single form (a word or phrase) might transmit several related senses. This phenomenon is known as polysemy. A word may retain its prior meaning or meanings while simultaneously acquiring one or more new meanings, according to the concept of polysemy. The issue of the relationship and interdependence of a polysemantic word’s distinct meanings can then be expressed as though the term always has all of its meanings or that some of them emerge before the others. According to A.A. Reformatorsky, terms (derived from the Latin “border” and “limit”) are unique words that are determined by their unique meaning. These words are meant to be clear and precise in expressing the name and meaning of things. It is essential for diplomacy, technique, etc. Vol. 5, No. 11 – Special Issue (EJAR) 129 ISSN: 2181-2020 LPTIENP International Scientific-Practice Conference on “Linguistics and Pedagogical Technologies: International Experience and National Practice” Denau, November 20, 2025 in-academy.uz/index.php/ejar There are terms in the structure of specific terminology as well as in the language itself. They gain unambiguity if they can use polysemantic terminology in a shared language. Polysemy in geographical terminology is a common phenomenon where a single term can denote several distinct meanings depending on the context. This enriches the language but can also lead to ambiguity if not clarified. Below are examples of such terms and their various semantic layers. 1. “World” The term "World" can refer to several concepts, both geographical and broader: Planet Earth (Planetary sense): The planet we live on, including all its natural and socio- economic components. Example: "Traveling around the globe means discovering the world." The entirety of human civilization, continents, and their inhabitants (Global scale): Humanity, nations, cultures, and global processes. Example: "Today's changes in the world economy affect all countries." A specific field, region, or community (Limited sense): Sometimes denotes a smaller, specialized area. Example: "The scientific world shows great interest in this issue." (Referring to the scientific community) Example: "The world of plants is very diverse." (Referring to flora) Example: "Studying the animal world is one of the main tasks of biology." (Referring to fauna) An individual's environment and life (Philosophical-psychological sense): An individual's subjective perception of existence. Example: "Every person has their own world." 2. "Coast" / "Shore" / "Bank" This term refers to the boundary where a body of water meets land, but its meaning varies depending on the type of water body: Seaside or Ocean Coast (Coast): The land area bordering a sea or ocean. It can encompass a long, wide region. Example: "The Mediterranean coast is a popular destination for tourists." Lakeside or Reservoir Shore (Shore): The land bordering a lake or reservoir. Example: "Many resorts are located along the northern shore of Lake Balaton." Riverside or Canal Bank (Bank): The land on either side of a river or canal. Example: "The banks of the Syr Darya river are covered with thick reeds." Port or Harbor Quay/Dock (Quay / Dock): An artificial structure where ships dock, load, or unload cargo. Example: "The ship approached the quay and began to unload its cargo." 3. "Channel" / "Bed" / "Valley Bottom" The term "Channel" or its related concepts can also describe several features associated with rivers: The path where river water flows (Riverbed / Channel): The low-lying, often submerged area where river water continuously flows. Example: "Due to drought, the river channel dried up." The lowest part of a river valley (Valley Bottom): The low