LINGUISTIC AND CULTURAL CHARACTERISTICS OF PHYTONYMS

Аннотация

This article discusses the linguistic and cultural characteristics of phytonyms which are a component of the field of onomastics in linguistics. The field of linguacultural field related to the concepts of language and culture; viewpoints currently being studied by many linguists. In this regard, this article is notable for its focus on the new area of linguistics, linguoculturology and the linguistic and cultural characteristics of phytonyms. Key words: linguoculturology, phytonym, language, culture, onomastics, phytonymic lexicon, botanical terms. Абстракт: В этой статье рассматриваются лингвистические и культурные особенности фитонимов, которые являются компонентом области ономастики в лингвистике. Область лингвокультурологии, связанная с концепциями языка и культуры, в настоящее время активно изучается многими лингвистами. В связи с этим данная статья примечательна своим фокусом на новой области лингвистики — лингвокультурологии, а также лингвистическими и культурными особенностями фитонимов. Ключевые слова: лингвокультурология, фитоним, язык, культура, ономастика, фитонимическая лексика, ботанические термины. As we initiated studying the Uzbek language, we aimed to explore the roles of proper names in culture and language. In reality, language develops and exists closely intertwined with culture. During this research process, we turned to the field of linguistic culturology to address theoretical issues and challenges. Linguistic culturology is a branch of linguistics that arises at the intersection of linguistic and cultural studies, focusing on how national culture is reflected and firmly established in language. This field scientifically investigates the relationship between language and culture, as well as cross-cultural communication, because “language is deeply connected with culture, reaching it, developing within it, and expressing it”. This area of study does not only focus on culture but also examines national customs, religious phenomena, national concepts, and the tools through 152 SCIENCE SHINE INTERNATIONAL SCIENTIFIC JOURNAL Issue 8(43), Volume 1 | ISSN 3030-377X | 30.04.2025 which people perceive the world via language. The linguistic map of the world generally corresponds with the logical expression in the minds of people. Studying this issue in depth is closely related to linguistic culturology and linguistic cognitology. We conducted research on the role, significance, and linguistic-cultural features of phytonyms in the Uzbek language and culture. At this point, we would like to focus on the definition of the term “phytonym”. The prefix phyto- (from Greek phyton meaning “plant”) is a component of international loanwords, indicating a connection to plants or the science of plants, such as in fitobar (plant-based) or fitopatologiya (phytopathology). Phytonyms refer to the names of plants. The role of plants in culture is unparalleled. Nature serves as a powerful source of inspiration, and all living beings interact with plants in some way. Since the emergence of humanity, people have relied on plants for food, medicine, and various products. Plants also play a significant role in our ancient culture, national beliefs, and traditional medicine. In various folk rituals, plants and their fruits and branches take on symbolic meanings. Thus, plants are studied across different aspects of culture. Phytonyms are the names given to plants, while fitonimiya refers to the collection of plant names, and fitonimika is the branch of linguistics that studies phytonyms. Phytonimics has both general and specific forms. General phytonimics is the field that scientifically researches the plant world on Earth through established norms. A specific form of phytonimics can be represented by the study of the names of plants in the territory of the Republic of Uzbekistan, referred to as “Uzbek nomshunosligi” and “Nomshunoslik masalalari” (Issues of onomastics) through scientific-theoretical principles, known as “O‘zbekiston fitomikasi” (Phytomycology of Uzbekistan). Scientists have studied all the characteristics of the plants in our country. Many phytonyms are distinguished by their medicinal properties. In Abu Rayhon Beruni’s work “Saydana”, nearly seven hundred medicinal plants are classified. Although these works focus on the plants themselves and their uses, they do not conduct research specifically on the names of the phytonyms, despite considering them to some extent. Therefore, studying the names of phytonyms involves addressing two objects of research, which is beneficial. 1. To directly study the names of plants, one method is to inquire from the people living in areas where these plants grow. 153 SCIENCE SHINE INTERNATIONAL SCIENTIFIC JOURNAL Issue 8(43), Volume 1 | ISSN 3030-377X | 30.04.2025 2. Another approach is to examine books, textbooks, and dictionaries dedicated to plants, prepared by biologists, and to record the plant names used in them without alteration. The naming of phytonyms in Uzb