ON THE PECULIARITIES OF THE USE OF THE TERMS "DAVAN" AND "KOTAL" IN ORONYMY (BASED ON MATERIALS FROM SOUTHERN UZBEKISTAN)

The article examines the origin, semantic features, and nominative functions of the orographic terms davan and kotal, which are widely used in Uzbek oronymy. The study is conducted from a historical-linguistic perspective, with reference to Turkic and Mongolian languages. Based on materials from Southern Uzbekistan, oronyms formed with these terms are analyzed, and their semantic distinctions and usage characteristics are identified. Special attention is given to the opposition between the concepts of a “high, difficult mountain pass” and a “low, easily passable mountain route” in geographical naming. The analysis of historical sources and lexicographic data makes it possible to trace the stages of formation and development of these terms within the oronymic system.