TOPONYMIC IDIOMS AS A REPRESENTATION OF COLLECTIVE KNOWLEDGE

Abstract

This article examines toponymic idioms as linguistic representations of collective knowledge and cultural memory. Toponymic idioms, which contain geographical names as integral components, reflect the historical experiences, social values and cultural perceptions shared by members of a speech community. Far from being merely figurative expressions, these idioms serve as repositories of collective knowledge, preserving information about significant places, events and cultural stereotypes across generations. Drawing on the principles of cognitive linguistics and cultural linguistics, the study investigates how place names acquire symbolic meanings and become embedded in idiomatic expressions.