The Nominative Function of Derivative Colour Terms in the Kazakh Language Toponymic System

Номинативная функция производных цветообозначений в топонимической системе казахского языка
Burkitbayeva S.D. Toxeitova A.E. Zeinebekova M.S.
2026 Siberian Federal University

Journal of Siberian Federal University - Humanities and Social Sciences
2026 #19 Issue 2 364 - 373 pp.

Toponyms represent a crucial linguistic and cultural resource, reflecting a society’s historical development, worldview, and intercultural contacts. While Kazakh linguistics traditionally investigated toponyms through the lenses of etymology, semantics, and morphology, scholars devoted less attention to the structural models of geographical names derived from colour terms. This study analyses the formation and classification of such toponyms in the Kazakh language. Based on data from historical sources, dictionaries, and previous research, the article identifies productive word-building affixes (–sha/-she,-shyl/-shіl,-dau/-deu,-ghylt/-ghіlt,-kaj, etc.) and examines their role in conveying various color shades. The research pays heed to complex models, for example, adjective + noun (Akkol/Aqköl, Kokshetau), noun + adjective, and derived forms that express the degree of intensity (bozghylt, sarghysh). Moreover, the analysis shows that toponyms with colour terms not only bear testimony to linguistic creativity but also embody ethnocultural values, symbolism, and elements of the worldview preserved in the national memory. As a result, this study contributes to Kazakh onomastics, clarifying the structural mechanisms of colour toponyms and underscoring their significance for understanding cultural heritage.

colour designation , etymology , morphology , semantics , the Kazakh language , toponyms

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Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Almaty, Kazakhstan
M. Kh. Dulaty Taraz University, Taraz, Kazakhstan

Al-Farabi Kazakh National University
M. Kh. Dulaty Taraz University

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