The Linguistic Basics of the Contemporary Toponyms Spelling Norms (on the Spelling Rules Theory)

The article is devoted to the analysis of the current state of the spelling codification of toponyms. The linguistic and sociolinguistic reasons underlying the real use of toponyms in texts of different types are considered. The vector of changes in the rules for writing toponyms and historical changes in the spellings of toponyms are revealed. The conditions for the implementation of the system opposition of a proper name and a common noun as part of a toponym are determined. A substantially amended rule for writing uppercase or lowercase letters in toponymic vocabulary is proposed. This rule is based on the specified system conditions for the implementation of the opposition of a proper name and a common name. The rule also describes the types of toponyms not considered earlier. The spelling norms set out in the rules were approved by the Spelling Commission of the Russian Academy of Sciences in February 2020

Linguistics · Political science · Proper noun · Spelling · Toponymy · Vocabulary · Computer Science · Discourse Analysis and Cultural Communication · Language, Communication, and Linguistic Studies · Law · Literature, Language, and Rhetoric Studies · Philosophy