The analysis of proper names for denoting medical terms (on the material of the English and the German languages)

The article deals with the lexical and semantic analysis of proper names for denoting medical terms on the material of the English and the German languages. The author considers the notions of the term and the medical term and classifies them. The components of medical terms are classified into anthroponyms, toponyms, mythonyms. To understand and use medical terms with proper names correctly the author explains their etymology. The results of the lexical and semantic analysis shows that medical terms with anthroponyms are based on the complete transfer of the family name of the person to the medical term created by him/her. Medical terms with toponyms reflect geographical names of those localities, forests, rivers, countries where they were identified first. Medical terms with mythonyms are named after mythological creatures and ancient heroes, and they are historical memory of the people. The article contributes to the research on English and German medical terminology; the material can be used for working out a course on terminology and for bilingual dictionaries as well.