Proper Names in the Light of Theoretical Onomastics

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98 Vincent Blanárimportant in practical investigation and to which the proceedings werededicated.The above facts indicate that, in this very complicated and extensivediscipline, the multi-aspect approach is almost an essential prerequisitefor wider and deeper understanding. It presents us with a problem whenwe just focus research on certain methodological procedures which havebecome the centre of attention, e. g. the current orientation towards thepragmatic-communicational approach (in the EN, D. Krüger demandsthat attention be directed towards textual-linguistic methods in onomasticsalso and to change the system-oriented approach to communicationalandfunction-oriented research; the introductory chapters of the EN expresssimilar ideas). This takes us to the crux of the problem which is thetheoretical basis of onomastics. As I have already mentioned, theoreticalonomastics is still at the stage of development, formulation and seeking itstheoretical basis, a suitable research paradigm. The complex aims of thiseffort will not be achieved by way of a proclaimed preference for sometheories (compare the statement by S. Brendler that Hansack’s originalexplanations of the mental perception of the proper name are inconsistentwith the “ traditional ” standpoint “einfach und zugleich genial” – NE, 45)but the theoretical basis must demonstrate the strength of its foundationand persuasiveness in practice: how it (the theoretical basis) helps to elucidatethe basic problems of the theory of proper names and those which areperceived differently, how it leads on from a description of pheno mena totheir explanation. In addressing the internal problems of onomastics weprefer the basis and aspect of the discipline of proper names – onomasticsitself – to those positions postulated by philosophy, logic, natural sci -ences. The range and complexity of onymy and onymic systems whichhave been analysed with constant regard to their social functions requirethe use of various aspects and methods; this is the only way to attain newknowledge which enables us to grasp onymy as a structured whole and todevelop this discipline in continuous progress in onomastic research. Theaim of a similar effort is to form stronger lines of the paradigm of theoreticalonomastics.Explicit, implicit and interdisciplinary discussion, confrontation and exchangeof views is and will be fruitful, especially when we see progress inscientific thinking in the historical perspective of onomastics, an increasein a new flow of information of qualitative and quantitative character,development and strengthening of methodological positions and the use
Proper Names In the Light of Theoretical Onomastics99of computers (mainly in processing data sets numbered in hundreds ofthousands, even millions). A different view is evident in questions suchas: does onymy possess any integrating organisational principle; why isa proper name a linguistic sign sui generis; what is its content and formalstructure; why is it necessary to distinguish between content and (ony mic)meaning of a proper name; why is it necessary to differentiate betweentwo groups within a set of informational elements in knowledge of anonymic object; when thinking about the nature of an onymic sign, what isindicative of the fact that its content (more precisely its onymic features)and form are interrelated; how is the transition from the first naming tobinary naming anthroponymic system in deep structure indicated; how todescribe the microsystem of living proper names; are citizen names andethnic names categorised as appellatives or propria; is the description ofsuperficial onymic phenomena the final aim of the research; what are theoutcomes of modelling of principles of naming and processing data bythe computer technique, etc. etc. Or : if the same form Martin can be a firstname, surname, living family name, the name of a town, boat, recreationfacility, animal, book and so on, in these cases is it solely a different referentor behind a different identification are there different (specificallyonymic) elements of content which are also reflected in the formal aspectof the name; what is the implication of this fact in the valuation of theonymic sign ? The answer to these and similar questions is related to thetheoretical basis which, even in the current stage of onomastics, are notuniform. The concepts and explanations which follow further in the textstem mainly from the analysis of personal names which, due to their abundance,internal variety and social determination, provide suitable materialfor theoretical and methodological generalisation. The answer I formulatein the following chapters of this contribution is a summary and draft of aconcept which I have arrived at in my studies and thinking to date.2. 1 The linguistic and onomastic status of proper namesThe dual status of the proper name in language (the name as an elementof the vocabulary of a language and simultaneously an element of an onymicset) is a crucial starting point in comprehending its special status andthe valuation of proper names in a language. Naming individuals of thesame species is a special case of nomination. It is the most detailed classificationof real phenomena by language means which is induced by so-
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Page 20 and 21: 108 Vincent Blanárkurča (chicken)
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Page 40 and 41: 128 Vincent Blanárer) is familiar
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148 Vincent BlanárThe concept unde
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152 Vincent BlanárReferencesBeleň
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154 Vincent BlanárDolník, Juraj,
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156 Vincent BlanárPaikkala, Sirrka
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Proper Names in the Light of Theoretical Onomastics

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