Proper Names in the Light of Theoretical Onomastics

Proper Names In the Light of Theoretical Onomastics127proprial nomination and structural organisation of onymic systems, specificallyonymic elements (e. g. onymic semantics, reflections of ono semesin language form, naming models, functional components in personalnaming) are characteristic. In research into the extensive problems of theverbal communication of proper names, not only their linguistic but alsotheir onomastic status must be taken into consideration (Šrámek 2003).The components of an onymic system function as dynamic values withinthe given social standards in the contact of lingual and extra-lingualprocesses and in certain dimensions of time, space and frequency. Let usfocus on several examples, mainly of personal naming, to demonstratehow onymy acts in close relation with the naming system.In the codified standards for personal naming in Slovakia, the binarynaming system of the a + B type, is used, i. e. combining two functionalcomponents - Christian name and surname. In previous texts, I haveshown that the functional components represent certain onymic values(with a given onymic designation). This is the core of the official system(the marginal components can be ignored). The hierarchically basicfunctional component is the surname due to its anthroponymic features〈family affiliations within a family as a whole〉 and 〈heredity〉 which inthe Christian name applies in a negative sense. The common features ofthese two functional components are 〈natural genre〉, 〈stabilisation byadministrative and legal standards〉, 〈validity from birth〉. So, the componentsdiffer in their onymic validity. Also, the naming of married womenand children is included in the official standards. The officially obligatoryform is the form of the surname which is recorded in a register of births.The registers of births utilise an official inventory of Christian nameswhich, as far as current social requirements are concerned, is not completelyclosed. These naming standards are realised in a naming scheme:Christian names (Adam, … , Eva, …) + surname (Hlavaj, Hlavajová…, (Maximilián)Nitra, (Anna) Nitrová…). In ordinary communication, the Christiannames have various hypocoristic forms (dialect usage differs substantiallyin many aspects); the surname form is standardised. Unofficial per sonalnaming in Slovakia is much more varied. Naming standards of livingnames originate in local and regional conventions which relate to the constructionof functional components, their number, area distribution andalso to some naming principles (for detailed description and analysis:Blanár / Matejčík 1978/ 1983). The homonymic surname Nitra fulfils itsidentifying role when an addressee (the addressed person, speaker, read-