Some Semantic Groups of Nouns in Armenian lithographic inscriptions of the 12th-16th centuries
Some Semantic Groups of Nouns in Armenian lithographicinscriptions of the 12th-16th centuries
Chopuryan Gayane
Summary
Key words: anthroponym, generic name, toponym, accompanying words, frequency, word-formation model
The creation of the multi-volume series Corpus of Armenian Epigraphic Inscriptions has significantly contributed to the development of epigraphy. The materials presented in these volumes are essential and foundational for the synchronic and diachronic study of phenomena within disciplines such as ethnography, historiography, linguistics, and others. This article examines only several semantic groups of nouns found in the vocabulary of Armenian epigraphic inscriptions of the 12th-16th centuries (anthroponyms, family names, toponyms, and names of holidays). These inscriptions contain a number of new words whose study is of interest for a comprehensive investigation of the lexicon of the Middle Armenian language. The article presents conclusions derived from the examined material. Among the semantic groups of nouns attested in the 12th-16th centuries, anthroponyms are used both single and with accompanying words. Among the latter, those indicating title and rank are especially common. Some personal names are considered as new and need additional research. Generic names occur in constructions where it is necessary to indicate the origin of the person performing the transaction: the buyer or the donor. Toponyms have no restrictions regarding to the contents of inscriptions, but they are most often found in donation and construction inscriptions. Holiday names are distinguished from the above-mentioned semantic groups by the fact that they are mainly mentioned in exchange for donations made to monasteries or churches in order to perform a liturgy in memory of them or their relatives.
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.58726/27382915-2025.2hs-41