Suffixes '-ewicz', '-owicz' in Surnames and Toponyms of the Region of Białystok as well as Their Syncope in Dialect Forms

Abstract

In the introduction of the article the author presents the function of the '–ewicz' and '-owicz' forms in Polish and Belarusian. Next, the author explains the idea of shortening the forms from '-ewicz', '-owicz' to '-eicz', '-oicz', respectively, in the contemporary dialect forms of surnames in the region of Białystok and in the microtoponymy of the region. Belarusian features of the analysed forms are indicated. The author also presents some examples of the syncopation of the 16th century names in Podlasie. The article also defines the frequency and range of occurrence of the contracted forms of surnames and microtoponyms in the region of Podlasie.