Ìnšomovnì vplivi na ìmena personažìv ukraїns'kih narodnih čarìvnih kazok

The influence of other languages on some character's names in ukrainian folktales

The article deals with selected characters’ names in Ukrainian folktales derived from other languages. Proper names in folklore take an important role in keeping ethnic codes and cultural meaning. They contain implicit information and reveal some traditional aspects of each ethnic group. Language and cultural contacts had a significant influence on the Ukrainian folklore especially in the area of borderland. Loan words and features from other languages were adapted to the phonetic, lexical, grammar, and graphic system of Ukrainian. In the process of adaptation some features were lost or distorted in such way, that it is difficult to restore source stem or meaning, especially in the characters’ names. These borrowed names from other languages enrich the nominative system of Ukrainian folktale and demonstrate intercultural influences on traditional culture.