Key words: ancient Turkic written monuments, savçı, concept, god concept, cognitive linguistics
Summary
The article examines the origin, history and shades of meaning of the word “savçı” in various Turkic languages. The roots of the word sav/sab mean “word”, “news”, “call” in ancient Turkic, and the suffix -çı indicates the person who performs the task. This word has historically been used in the meanings of “newscaster”, “messenger”, “prophet”, “leader”. In the oldest written monuments-Orkhon-Yenisei monuments, Irk Bitig, Diwan Lughat al-Turk and Kutadgu Bilig, “savçı” is presented as both a prophet who delivers the word of God, as well as a messenger and orator. In various Turkic languages, this word has also been given meanings such as “judge”, “claimant”, “visionary”, “seer”.
