Mullonen I.I. Mapping as a Tool for Investigating a Local Toponymic System

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Original article

Mapping as a Tool for Investigating a Local Toponymic System

I. I. Mullonen
Ural Federal University, Yekaterinburg, Russian Federation Institute of Language, Literature and History, Karelian Research Centre of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Petrozavodsk, Russian Federation

Abstract

Introduction. The relevance of the cartographic method in toponymy is justified by the spatial nature of the naming process itself, which is realized within discrete geographical objects. Despite this, in studies devoted to local toponymic systems, cartographic analysis is used only sporadically. The aim of this research is to demonstrate the effectiveness of comprehensive microtoponym mapping for solving both purely toponymic tasks and broader tasks of an ethnocultural nature.

Materials and Methods. The research material was the Card Index of Karelia Toponyms, in which a significant portion of the microtoponyms are linked to topographic maps. Based on the card index data, an electronic resource – the “Toponymy of Karelia” geographic information system (GIS) – was created, which enables the mapping of toponymy within local topo-systems. The study employs maps of various formats as illustrations, ranging from standard maps of the “Atlas of Karelia” (scale 1 cm = 1 km) to field sketches and electronic maps in the OpenStreetMap format. In addition to the cartographic method itself, the methodology of etymological reconstruction and semantic analysis was employed.

Results and Discussion. This article examines three applications of the method of comprehensive microtoponym mapping. Its contribution to solving core toponymic tasks (problems of nomination) is illustrated by the route-based perspective that mapping reveals. The potential of comprehensive microtoponymic mapping for extracting ethnocultural information is also demonstrated. Through the areal distribution of microtoponyms with Russian and Karelian-derived stems, the primary routes of Russian linguistic influence into the specific local territory of the historical Vyrozero Volost in Zaonezhye are outlined. Localization is often a decisive factor in determining toponymic origin. The article demonstrates its use in establishing the Sami roots of two island toponyms (Oryatsaari and Pellotsaari), which encapsulate the idea of the islands’ position relative to the center of an island archipelago in the Ladoga region. A geographical motivation is proposed for the toponymic stem Akka- (Gen. Akan-) meaning ‘old woman’ or ‘crone’, prompted by a linguistic metaphor.

Conclusion. The method of continuous mapping of local topo-systems allows for a more in-depth understanding of the nature of toponymic nomination and also facilitates the identification of etymological, cultural-historical, and other information embedded in the localization of toponyms. In this regard, the experience of the approaches outlined in the article is useful for application in other toponymic expeditions. The research results contribute to the development of the cartographic method, as well as to the study of toponymic nomination within a local toponymic system.

Keywords: toponymy, local toponymic system, cartographic method, Karelian language, Sami substrate, etymology, motivation

Funding: The publication was prepared within the framework of the implementation of the Russian Science Foundation No. 23-18-00439 “Onomasticon and the linguocultural history of European Russia” (2023‒2025), https://rscf.ru/project/23-18-00439/

For citation: Mullonen I.I. Mapping as a Tool for Investigating a Local Toponymic System. Finno-Ugric World. 2025;17(4):430‒441. https://doi.org/10.15507/2076-2577.017.2025.04.430-441

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Information about the author:

Irma I. Mullonen, Dr.Sci. (Philol.), Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS), Professor, and Lead Researcher of the Toponymic Laboratory, Department of Russian Language, General Linguistics, and Speech Communication, Ural Federal University (19 Mira St., Yekaterinburg 620002, Russian Federation), Chief Researcher of the Ethnology Sector, Institute of Language, Literature and History, Karelian Research Centre of the Russian Academy of Sciences (11 Pushkinskaya St., Petrozavodsk 185910, Russian Federation), ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5279-4880, SPIN-code: 3231-5653, irma.mullonen@mail.ru

Author has read and approved the final manuscript.

Submitted 22.08.2025; revised 06.10.2025; accepted 17.10.2025.