A LINGUO-COGNITIVE STUDY OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ANTHROPONYMS AND CHARACTER REPRESENTATION IN LITERARY DISCOURSE

Abstract

 This study explores the linguo-cognitive relationship between anthroponyms and character representation in literary discourse. The research focuses on how personal names function not merely as identifiers but as meaningful linguistic units that contribute to the construction and interpretation of fictional characters. From a cognitive perspective, anthroponyms are examined as conceptual tools that activate cultural, social, and psychological associations in the reader’s mind. The study employs a qualitative analytical approach, drawing on selected examples from literary texts to illustrate how naming strategies influence readers’ perception of character traits, roles, and narrative functions. Special attention is given to the semantic, pragmatic, and stylistic dimensions of anthroponyms, as well as their role in shaping character identity within a given cultural context. The findings suggest that anthroponyms serve as an essential mechanism in literary meaning-making, bridging linguistic expression and cognitive interpretation. Ultimately, the paper contributes to the broader field of cognitive linguistics and literary studies by highlighting the dynamic interaction between language, cognition, and artistic representation.