PRESENTATION OF SPIRITUAL-HISTORICAL CULTURE OF THE PEOPLE IN FRENCH GEOGRAPHICAL NAMES

Abstract

The article focuses on the study of French toponyms by establishing lexico-semantic and cultural features of their nomination. In particular, the research through the prism of the cultural approach reveals lexico-semantic features of the names of settlements of France and develops the classification of toponyms by semantic feature. Particular attention is paid to the spiritual, historical and cultural information represented in French geographical names. The analysis of toponyms from the point of view of linguistic and cultural science has allowed to determine their place both in the language system and in the picture of the world of the French-speaking community. Toponyms correlate with the system of cultural values and ideas and serve as a kind of marker of the individual’’s belonging to the appropriate linguistic culture.
The developed classification of French toponyms by semantic feature allowed us to distinguish toponyms, based on the nomination of relief features, certain historical events, plant names, landscape color, sacral and religious concepts. This classification shows that the toponyms reflect the cultural features of the ethnic group, because the geographical names are based on the historical events, occupations and professions of people, their spiritual life, certain traditions, as well as evaluation markers.
Research has shown that a person captures in the name only that of the outside world, which reflects his personal view of the world and corresponds to his vital and cultural values.