TOPONYMY AND LINGUOCULTURE – THE SPANISH LANGUAGE AS A BEARER OF CULTURAL IDENTITY

This article examines toponymy as a vital component in the development of linguocultural competence in teaching Spanish as a foreign language in the Bulgarian educational context. The research is based on the idea that mastering a language cannot be complete without understanding the cultural meanings it carries. In this sense, toponymic names are considered carriers of historical and cultural memory, which can be integrated into language teaching to develop intercultural awareness. The geographical concepts and names of the countries of Central and South America, their origin and etymology are analyzed, tracing the influence of autochthonous languages, Spanish colonization and Christianization on their formation. The differences between the concepts of Latin America, Hispanoamerica, and Iberoamerica are clarified, as well as their cultural load. The aim is to show how these linguistic and cultural units can enrich the learning content and develop in learners critical thinking, respect for cultural differences, and a deeper understanding of the Spanish-speaking world. Toponymy is presented as an effective tool for achieving integration between language and cultural learning in the context of contemporary Bulgarian education. The study emphasizes the need for systematic inclusion of toponymic material in Spanish curricula as a means of cultural interpretation and linguistic motivation. In this way, conditions are created for deeper personal engagement and an interdisciplinary approach to learning.