Linguocultural aspect of naming in the Korean anthroponymic tradition

Abstract

The article is devoted to the linguocultural analysis of the system of personal names in Korean anthroponymy. The focus is on the features of the functioning of various types of names – official, everyday, ritual-religious and secondary (pseudonyms, names received at baptism, Buddhist initiation names). The name in these contexts performs not only identification, but also symbolic, sacred, communicative and status functions. The study examines the structural features of anthroponymic formulas, naming principles, system of values and norms, as well as cultural meanings attached to the name lexemes. It was pointed out that the Korean naming tradition was formed under the influence of shamanic, Buddhist, Confucian and Christian beliefs, which was reflected in the hierarchy, aestheticization and sacralization of a name. Particular importance is attached to the choice of characters, the number of strokes in them, the symbolism of numbers, fortune-telling and initiation rituals. In modern times, under the influence of Christianity, as well as the processes of globalization and socio-cultural transformation, there is an active use of Christian names, borrowings and individualized names reflecting confessional and cultural diversity.