On a Certain Slavo-Baltic Semantic Parallel in the Microtoponymy of Podlasie Cover Image

O pewnej slowiańsko-bałtyckiej paraleli semantycznej w mikrotoponimii Podlasia
On a Certain Slavo-Baltic Semantic Parallel in the Microtoponymy of Podlasie

Author(s): Lilia Citko
Subject(s): Language and Literature Studies
Published by: AV ČR - Akademie věd České republiky - Ústav pro jazyk český
Keywords: microtoponym; geographical appellative; semantic parallel; dialect

Summary/Abstract: This article focuses on the topographical names of Podlasie formed from the roots lado (Old Slavic *lędo) and lid(z)mo (Lith. lydìmas, lýdìmas). The semantic identity of the two terms became the reason for their parallel treatment despite their genetic distinctiveness. They were used to denote objects of a similar type, referring to ‘an area which has been grubbed up, cleared forest’. The area where microtoponyms with the root lado are found does not generally reach further than the western boundaries of Ruthenian dialects in Podlasie. Microtoponyms with the root lydìmas are found in the area located a dozen or so kilometres to the west from the current boundary of East Slavic dialects. The geography of toponyms reflects the old system of ethno-linguistic relations in the area under analysis, which was colonised by Polish and Ruthenian-Lithuanian settlers in the 15–17th centuries.

  • Issue Year: LIV/2013
  • Issue No: 54
  • Page Range: 43-52
  • Page Count: 10
  • Language: Polish