Non-commercial names of private objects as a type of utilitarian chrematonyms

Abstract

The recent decades of research on chrematonymy abounded in material studies and discussions concerning the boundaries and categorial features of this class of names. Researchers discussed their functions, textual meanings, and various ways of ordering and categorising them. The proposition of Artur Gałkowski, who distinguished three groups among utilitarian chrematonyms: ideational, social and marketing chrematonyms, gained recognition. Research has shown, however, that some utilitarian chrematonyms do not fit into any of the groups mentioned above. This gives rise to the postulate of extending the category with a new class containing the names given to single (private) functional objects. These names are not commercial, absent from marketing (and not market-oriented), they are highly individualised and emotional. The article characterises these names and attempts to delineate the scope of the proposed class. It also aims to indicate its categorical features and establish the cultural conditions for the emergence of such names. The proposal is enriched by an exemplification of the names of vehicles, toys, musical instruments as well as household appliances and computers.