Functional-semantic analysis of store-names in Veszprém county

Abstract

Functional-semantic analysis of store-names in Veszprém county

This paper analyses store-names, a special type of proper name studied less frequently in the literature. The classification presented here is based on István Hoffmann's model of place-name analysis, which the author adapts to the examination of store-names in Veszprém county. The author first identifies the name-components and then classifies them according to their motivation. The analysis raises two problems: on the one hand, some store-names consist of three or more name-components, on the other hand, the names are all artificial and relatively new. In order to solve these problems it was necessary to insert new categories into Hoffmann's model. The study concludes that the majority of the names have been formed via intrinsic motivation. A great many store-names are made up of words referring to the business form and/or the goods available: these are not "real" names. Other store-names evoke the name of goods available in the shop by a word belonging to the semantic field of the product on sale. Store-names often incorporate the name of the owner or that of the tenant.