Talianske deonymá ako zdroj obohacovania (nielen) slovenskej lexiky
Italian Deonyms as a Source of Enrichment for the Lexicon of the Slovak Language (and Beyond)

Summary/Abstract: This paper explores Italian deonyms as a significant source for enriching the lexicons of various languages, with a particular focus on Slovak. Deonyms refers to common nouns derived from proper names, including toponyms, ethnonyms, anthroponyms and trade names. These play a relevant role in the process of lexical borrowing. Italian deonyms, having spread across different linguistic and cultural contexts, not only expand the lexicon but also illustrate the dynamics of linguistic contact, adaptation, and the transformation of new words. The primary aim of this research is to identify Italian deonyms that have been integrated into Slovak and other languages. The study examines how these borrowings have been adapted to the phonological, orthographic, and morphological rules of the adopting languages, as well as how their meanings and functions evolve in new linguistic contexts. Additionally, the paper explores cases where these terms acquire innovative or extended meanings within the adopting languages. This research is based on data from the Osservatorio degli Italianismi nel Mondo (OIM) project, an ongoing global project that collects Italian lexical loanwords across an expanding number of languages worldwide. In addition to the OIM database, the analysis is complemented by research from etymological and explanatory dictionaries, as well as text corpora in both Slovak and Czech. The study highlights the prominent role of toponymic deonyms followed by ethnonymic deonyms, particularly those related to Italian cities and geographical locations that have been historically significant in trade, culture, or politics, which has caused these toponyms to become deeply embedded in many languages. Through the process of deproprialization, they often shed their specific geographical meaning and acquire broader uses. Additionally, the research emphasizes the lesser, yet still significant, presence of deonyms originating from anthroponyms and trade names which have evolved into common nouns in various languages, exemplify the role of internationalism in the spread of such loanwords. The study also observes that these words generally undergo minimal changes in their form when borrowed into Slovak and other languages. This research contributes to a deeper understanding of how Italian deonyms enrich the lexicons of other languages and sheds light on broader phenomena of language contact, lexical adaptation, and the cultural influence of the Italian language. As the OIM project continues to expand its database, further research will provide a more nuanced analysis of Italian loanwords and their spread across additional languages. The ongoing project will offer greater insight into how Italian lexical elements penetrate and transform within diverse linguistic environments.

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