Natural-geographical, political-administrative and historical-linguistic bases of Zhetysu choronym

Abstract

The article examines the choronym Zhetysu from natural-geographical, historical-linguistic, and political-administrative perspectives. Based on the conceptual definition of choronym in toponymy, the authors identify and systematise the choronymic features associated with Zhetysu. In Kazakh toponymy, a wide range of terms used to describe territorial units such as Aimak, Ölke, Öñir, Atyrap, Alkap, Alap, Aumaq, Audan, Jer, Jazyk, Dala, Ulys, Orda, Zhüz, Ualayat, Oblys and Okrug are summarised, grouped, and analysed in relation to their semantic characteristics and functional roles.

The study highlights that in historical-geographical, cultural-economic, and political literature, these terms frequently accompany choronyms and reflect diverse geographical, ethnic, and administrative aspects of Zhetysu. The concept of choronym unites these terms into an interconnected system, and one of the key tasks of the research is to examine their diachronic evolution and synchronic usage within the context of Zhetysu’s unique regional characteristics.

Due to inconsistencies and lack of terminological clarity in historical and ethnocultural sources, the need for such analysis is emphasized. The research determines the semantic potential of the terms and clarifies the internal content of the Zhetysu choronym, illustrating the usage of combinations such as Zhetysu ölkesi, Zhetysu öñiri, Zhetysu aumağı, Zhetysu oblysy, Zhetysu atyraby, and Zhetysu alkaby.

The article also differentiates the terminological naming of Zhetysu as both a natural-landscape area and an administrative region. Terms such as Jer, Jazyk, Dala, Aumaq, Audan, Alkap, Alap, Atyrap, and Öñir are linked with natural-geographic meanings, while Ölke, Aimak, Ualayat, Oblys, Okrug, Ulys, Orda and Zhüz reflect administrative or ethnopolitical dimensions. Special attention is given to historically loaded terms like Aimak, Ulys, Orda, and Zhüz, which are tied to the ethnic history of Zhetysu. In addition, Russian and English equivalents Region, Territory, Krai, Area, etc. are compared and classified following the same analytic model.

Keywords: choronym, kratonym, Zhetysu, historical-geographical territory, political-administrative region, historical-ethnic region.