An analytical and interpretative approach to Canarian phytotoponyms of Amazigh origin

Abstract

Toponyms constitute some of the most important vestiges of the ancient aboriginal language of the Canary Islands (Spain), which disappeared in the fifteenth or sixteenth century. This language has been linked to Amazigh languages within the Afro-Asian family, but further clarification is still required regarding many aspects, especially its linguistic physiognomy and the nature of its relationship with North African variants. This study is to propose an interdisciplinary methodology of interpretative analysis of these vestiges, using the example of phytotoponyms as an important lexical area within toponymy that offers relatively reliable written and oral testimonies. This objective requires a critical review of the linguistic material and its sources and an etymological methodology that incorporates geo- and ethnobotanical criteria. Based on a selection of the eleven most representative tree species of Canarian flora, the most widespread Amazigh denominations have been identified in historical-philological and ethno-botanical sources. The verification of certain isoglosses in different varieties of Amazigh has made it possible to establish parallelisms with Canarian toponymy, taking into account both philological criteria (phonetic compatibility, semantics, available documentation, interference from other languages or scriptural codes) and geo-botanical criteria (location of the possible phytotoponym and phytogeographic compatibility of the designated species).