The etymology of onyms as units for modeling the cultural space of the Habsburg Empire (based on the German language)

The article examines the linguocultural aspects of the influence of the etymology of onyms on the reconstruction of elements of the cultural space of the Habsburg Empire. Etymological analysis of onyms contributes to the identification of extralinguistic information in their semantic load. The aim of the research is to determine the linguocultural potential of onyms by analyzing the etymology of selected lexical units associated with the Habsburg dynasty. The stated aim necessitates the application of etymological, semantic, and linguocultural types of analysis. The research novelty lies in applying cultural space theory to the etymological analysis of onyms that emerged during the Habsburg era. Culturally conditioned presuppositions endow onyms with additional linguocultural meaning, facilitating the modeling of cultural space and revealing its implicitly expressed elements. The research findings showed that during the historical period under consideration, the naming of objects was characterized by the use of proper names associated with well-known members of the Habsburg dynasty, as well as with saints venerated by the imperial house. The origin of onyms within the Habsburg territories also demonstrates the phenomenon of multiculturalism.