Euskal toponimiaz mintzo (Nafarroakoaz bereziki)

Abstract

In this article, the author first discusses the presence of the suffix -(g,k)untz(a,e) in Basque toponymy, relating it to the homonymous suffix used in ordinary speech. Next, and based firstly on the alternation between - (g,k)un(e) and -(g,k)untz(a,e); secondly, on what is observed between these two suffixes and other locative suffixes such as -(t)oki, -(t)egi etc.; followed in third place, by the description of the place to which some toponyms refer, the author reaches the conclusion that at least on certain occasions, the suffix -tz(a,e) expresses the idea of place, and in this way it is possible to clarify the etymology of a whole series of toponyms, of larger and smaller places alike, as the idea of place is often a more appropriate way of explaining the original meaning of the toponyms than the idea of “abundance”.

Later on, the author attempts to relate the toponymic suffix -tz(a,e) with the derivative suffix -tza and the morpheme -tze which is used to create verbal nouns, and with the suffixes -eta, -keta which are used in a similar way, although this attempt to relate them is not without obstacles. In the same way, the possibility that the word endings -(a)tz(a,e), itz(a,e,) are mere variants of the suffix -tz(a,e) is investigated, and derivative forms such as egoitza are related to verbal nouns like egoiten, egotten. In the fifth point, the author tries to explain a whole series of Basque toponyms, using the locative meaning of the suffix -tza(a,e) as a base, and proposes the hypothesis that in toponyms like Orio, the final -o is simply the Basque article of proximity* which together with the locative suffix -tz(a,e), could have given rise to some of the toponyms which end in -otz, and which are very common throughout Navarra. Finally, the similarity is shown between the anthroponymic hypothesis in use and the toponymic proposal that is made here, and the need for an individual study of each of the toponyms which end in the suffix -otz is stated.