Zoya O. Ovchinnikova

Teaching Assistant, Postgraduate Student of the Institute of Russian as a Foreign Language

Tula State Lev Tolstoy Pedagogical University

(Tula, Russia)

DOI: https://doi.org/10.22405/2712-8407-2025-2-207-215

Abstract. The article investigates the manifestation of regional linguistic elements in online communication, specifically examining the use and functioning of onyms in the digital space as a tool for reflecting regional identity in the context of the digitalization of modern society. The relevance of the study is driven by the growing interest in the expression of regional linguistic elements in online communication, the preservation of national identity amid the development of modern technologies and digital self-identification, and the need to explore the transformation of traditional onomastics under the influence of the internet environment. The study aims to identify how onyms (toponyms, anthroponyms, ethnonyms, ethnicons) are reflected in the digital space, contribute to the construction of language in online environments, and shape the development of hybrid oral-written speech features. The research draws on the works of Russian scholars, including V. I. Suprun and A. V. Superanskaya, as well as contemporary researchers such as M. A. Krongauz and E. I. Goroshko. Through content analysis of profiles and communities on the social networks VK and Telegram, it is concluded that onyms play significant roles in digital communication, ranging from user self-presentation and selfidentification to the promotion of local brands. Special attention is given to usernames and titles of local communities that incorporate regional vocabulary, ethnocultural, and geographical names, which demonstrate unique linguistic transformations introduced by users. The study contributes to research on the evolution of online communication, user interaction, and regional studies. The article proposes a potential classification of social media communities featuring regionalisms in their titles and identifies key functions of onyms in digital communication, based on theoretical analysis and observation of regional linguistic elements, their usage, and transformation.
Keywords: onyms, online communication, regional identity, anthroponyms, toponyms, ethnonyms, ethnicons, internet discourse, cultural heritage.

Full text of the article (PDF)

For citation: Ovchinnikova, ZO 2025, ‘Some Peculiarities of the Usage and Functioning of Onyms in Online Communication’, Tula Scientific Bulletin. History. Linguistics, issue 2 (22), pp. 207–215, https://doi.org/10.22405/2712-8407-2025-2-207-215 (in Russ.)

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