LINGUISTIC FEATURES OF TOPONYMS AND THEIR CLASSIFICATION

Annotatsiya

This study explores the linguistic properties of toponyms and their systematic classification within the framework of modern linguistic research. Toponyms, as place names, reflect historical, cultural, and socio-linguistic developments of a speech community. The paper integrates perspectives from both Uzbek and international scholars to examine phonetic, morphological, semantic, and etymological features of place names. Using a descriptive and comparative methodological approach, the research analyzes selected English and Uzbek toponyms to identify patterns of formation and categorization. The findings demonstrate that toponyms are not merely geographical labels but complex linguistic units shaped by cultural memory, linguistic evolution, and social interaction. The study contributes to the broader understanding of onomastics and highlights the importance of interdisciplinary approaches in toponymic studies