A Linguo-Statistical and Semantic-Structural Analysis of Rodent Nomenclature in English

Abstract

This article analyzes the linguo-statistical and semantic-structural features of animal names belonging to the order Rodentia in the English language. The research is based on a sample of 51 names. The article statistically examines the structural composition of animal names by the number of words and the frequency of one-word, two-word, and three-word names. Furthermore, it highlights the main principles used in naming rodents, particularly methods such as adding a modifier to a base species name and referring to the animal's specific characteristics or habitat. The most frequent base words and their role in name formation are identified. The research findings reveal the regularities of zoological lexis formation and naming strategies in the English language.