LINGUOCULTURAL ANALYSIS OF ETHNONYMS IN THE TURKIC TRADITION

This article is devoted to the linguocultural and cognitive analysis of ethnonyms in the Turkic linguistic tradition. Ethnonyms are examined as crucial elements of the linguistic worldview, reflecting the mythological concepts, socio-political realities, and historical memory of the Turkic peoples. The study analyzes the etymology, semantics, and symbolism of such ethnonyms as Türk, Ashina, Kyrgyz, Uzbek, Kazakh, Turkmen, and Tatar. Special attention is given to mythological narratives of ethnogenesis, the influence of political processes on the formation of ethnonyms, as well as exoethnonymy. It is emphasized that ethnonyms in the Turkic world serve not only as identifiers of ethnic affiliation but also as powerful tools for constructing collective identity and ideological concepts. The application of a comprehensive methodological approach—including comparative-historical, linguocultural, and discourse analysis—has made it possible to reveal the multilayered nature of Turkic ethnonymy and its role in shaping the ethnic worldview.