Linguistic and Geographical Parameters of Speleonyms in Mangistau, Kazakhstan

Abstract

Speleonyms are linguistic terms that originally identify underground formations within the Earth's subsurface, and also reflect the geographical and cultural history of a region. This study investigates the cultural, historical, and linguistic significance of water wells (speleonyms) in the Mangystau region of western Kazakhstan – a harsh, arid environment where groundwater is a vital resource. The study sampled toponymy of 19 selected water wells, with the objective to analyze their etymology and toponymic structure and illustrate how their names encoded rich narratives about local geography, nomadic traditions, spiritual beliefs, and ecological conditions. Using these combined methods, this study built a multidimensional understanding of the origins and meanings behind the toponyms, preserving Mangystau’s linguistic heritage and its significance for future generations. The study found that the cultural, historical, and ecological meanings are encoded in the naming practices of wells among the Kazakh people. The study categorized speleonyms into types – such as zoospeleonyms, phytospeleonyms, anthropospeleonyms, colorspeleonyms, and numerical speleonyms, to revel the complex relationship between language, landscape, and identity in Kazakh nomadic culture. Implications for research and practice. The study contributes to the preservation of intangible cultural heritage by highlighting the role of names of water wells in transmitting knowledge, survival strategies, and spatial identity in arid environments. This empirical methodology not only documents and interprets real-world linguistic data but also contributes to the preservation of endangered cultural-linguistic heritage in arid Central Asian contexts.