Jani de Lange will present the topic "Onomastics and Sign Language: An Unexplored Terrain".
See details here: link
Please, note, that it is necessary to register in advance to be able to join the online lecture.
Wednesday, November 20, 2024
Lecture "Onomastics and Sign Language: An Unexplored Terrain"
10th Conference on Names in Mainz (Germany): Call for Papers
10. Mainzer Namentagung: Call for Papers
Migrationsonomastik: Personennamen im Kontext von Wanderungsbewegungen
Organisation: Anne Rosar & Theresa Schweden
Wir laden zur 10. Mainzer Namentagung „Migrationsonomastik“ ein, die vom 29.9.–1.10.2025 in der Akademie der Wissenschaften stattfindet. Ziel ist, Anthroponyme in Verbindung mit Sprachbiografien und Migrationsprozessen zu untersuchen.
Fragestellungen in Verbindung mit Migration haben sich in den letzten Jahren zunehmend als linguistisches Forschungsfeld etabliert (vgl. die 2024 erschienene Einführung „Migrationslinguistik“). Dabei stehen Mehrsprachigkeit, Variation und Sprachkontakt im Zentrum. Bisher unberücksichtigt blieben jedoch Personennamen, obwohl ihnen bei Migrationsprozessen eine zentrale Rolle zukommt: Im Rahmen von Migration werden Ruf- und/oder Familiennamen beibehalten, angepasst oder abgelegt. So erzählen Namen individuelle oder gruppenspezifische Zuwanderungsgeschichten. Anthroponyme können Marker für Migration sein und so zu Stereotypisierungen oder Diskriminierung führen, z. B. auf dem Arbeitsmarkt (Kaas/Manger 2010; Handschuck/Schröer 2010: 105, 142; Goldstein/Stecklov 2016) oder bei der Wohnungssuche (Lütkenhöner 2011; Bursell 2012).
Die Tagung greift Ergebnisse und Forschungsperspektiven des internationalen Workshops „Personennamen in Migration“ auf, der 2023 an der Universität Münster stattfand. Ziel ist die Auseinandersetzung insbesondere mit grammatischen Anpassungsprozessen, der Transliteration, der situativ-pragmatischen Variation oder dem Wechsel von Ruf-, Familien- bzw. Gesamtnamen:
Grammatische Integrationsprozesse
− Welche Anpassungen haben Personennamen in Sprachkontaktgebieten wie z. B. dem Elsass, Schlesien, Böhmen oder im sorbischen Siedlungsgebiet erfahren? Von Interesse sind u. a. Eindeutschungen von Familiennamen französischer (frz. Chevalier > Schwalie) und niederländischer Herkunft (ndl. Vermeulen > Vermöhlen) sowie insbesondere slawischen Ursprungs (tsch. Řehoř > Seehorsch > Seehorst, poln. Gąsior > Gansohr), die von Einwanderung oder Sprachkontakt zeugen. Wie kann Namengeografie Aufschluss über Wanderungsbewegungen geben? (Nübling/Kunze 2023: 90–177)
− Welche Veränderungen gehen mit Übertragungen in ein anderes Schriftsystem einher (z.B. vom kyrillischen oder griechischen ins lateinische Alphabet)? Wie werden chinesische Schriftzeichen übertragen? Werden fremde Grapheme oder Diakritika beibehalten oder ersetzt (İlkay Gündoğan vs. Ilkay Gündogan)?
− Welche Anpassungen erfährt der Gesamtname, etwa beim Übergang von einem drei- in ein zwei- oder gar einnamiges System? Werden ostslawische Patronyme wie Ivanovich/Ivanovna (‘Sohn/Tochter des Ivan’) beibehalten oder abgelegt? Wie geht man mit der im Chinesischen üblichen Abfolge Familienname vor Rufname um? (Woo Louie 1998)
− Wie geht man mit geschlechtsanzeigenden Familiennamen um? (vgl. griech. Zervakis/Zervaki)
− Welche Charakteristika weisen Personennamen in deutschen Varietäten außerhalb Europas wie z. B. Namdeutsch in Namibia (Zimmer 2021), Pennsylvaniadeutsch in Nordamerika, Wolgadeutsch in Argentinien oder Riograndenser Hunsrückisch in Brasilien auf?
Situative Variation oder vollständiger Namenwechsel
− Unter welchen Bedingungen findet bei Migration Namenwechsel statt? Nach welchen Kriterien wird ein neuer Name ausgewählt? Wie wirken sich Charakteristika von Ausgangs- und Zielsprache und deren Nameninventaren auf diese Entscheidung aus?
− Welche Rufnamen geben Migrant*innen ihren Kindern? (Gerhards/Hans 2009; Schiller 2024)
− Koexistieren der alte und neue Name, werden sie situativ variiert? Werden Personennamen zu Ingroup- oder Outgroup-Markern? Beispielsweise wurden Migrant*innen russlanddeutscher Herkunft in den 1980er- und 1990er -Jahren Namenanpassungen bzw. -wechsel nahegelegt (Jewgenij > Eugen). Während der alte Name in der eigenen Familie oft weiterexistiert, dient der neue zur Kommunikation außerhalb. (Krüssel 2020)
− Für welchen Familiennamen entscheiden sich interkulturelle Paare bei der Heirat? Welchen Einfluss nimmt nationale bzw. ethnische Herkunft in Kombination mit anderen sozialen Unterscheidungen wie Geschlecht? Welchen Familiennamen erhalten Kinder?
− Inwiefern markieren Namenwechsel eine Zäsur in der persönlichen (Sprach-)Biografie? (Nübling 2021)
Rechtliche oder ideologische Rahmung
− Inwieweit fungieren Namen als Marker für Ethnizität bzw. Zuwanderung? Vgl. die Änderung polnischer Namen im Ruhrgebiet (Menge 2000).
− Ist der Namenwechsel intrinsisch oder extrinsisch motiviert (Bidder 2013)? Welche Rolle spielen Strategien zur Vermeidung von Diskriminierung (Gerhards/Hans 2009)?
− Welche Sprach- bzw. Namenideologien zeigen sich im Kontext von Wanderungsbewegungen (König 2014)? Sind Anpassungen durch Behörden üblich? Vgl. die sprachnationalistisch motivierte Suggestion zur Namenänderung für Personen mit deutschem Migrationshintergrund in Ungarn zwischen 1881 und 1918 (Maitz 2008).
− Wie beeinflussen rechtliche Regelungen Namenwechsel und Namenwahl? (Z. B. bis 1996 Zwang zum Namenwechsel bei Einbürgerung in Island.)
Wir bitten um Abstracts (max. 400 Wörter) bis 31. März 2025 an migrationsonomastik@adwmainz.de. Vorträge (30 Minuten + 10 Minuten Diskussion) können in deutscher und englischer Sprache gehalten werden.
Literatur
Bidder, Benjamin (2013): „Aussiedler in Deutschland. Du heißt jetzt übrigens Eugen“. In: Spiegel Kultur (letzter Zugriff: 11.11.2022).
Bursell, Moa (2012): „Name change and destigmatization among Middle Eastern immigrants in Sweden“. In: Ethnic and Racial Studies 35 (3), 471–487.
Busley, Simone (demnächst): „Von Anna Margarethe Jäger zu Zulmira Jäger: Politische Einflüsse auf die Namenwahl von evangelisch-lutherischen Deutschstämmigen in Brasilien“. In: Kroiß, Daniel/Lind, Miriam/Späth, Lena (Hrsg.): Beiträge zur Namenforschung: „Namen und Politik“.
Gerhards, Jürgen/Hans, Silke (2009): „From Hasan to Herbert: Name‐Giving Patterns of Immigrant Parents between Acculturation and Ethnic Maintenance“. American Journal of Sociology 114 (4), 1102–1128.
Goldstein, Joshua R./Stecklov, Guy (2016): „From Patrick to John F.: Ethnic Names and Occupational Success in the Last Era of Mass Migration“. In: American Sociological Review 81 (1), 85–106.
Handschuck, Sabine/Schröer, Hubertus (2010): Eigennamen in der interkulturellen Verständigung. Augsburg.
Harnisch, Rüdiger (2011): „Eigennamen als Grund und Mittel von Stigmatisierung und Diskriminierung“. In: Elspaß, Stephan/Maitz, Peter (Hrsg.): Der Deutschunterricht 63 (6): „Sprache und Diskriminierung“, 28–42.
Kaas, Leo/Manger, Christian (2010): „Ethnic Discrimination in Germany's Labour Market: A Field Experiment.“ IZA Discussion Paper No. 4741.
Koch, Nikolas/Riehl, Claudia Maria (2024): Migrationslinguistik. Eine Einführung. Tübingen.
König, Katharina (2014): Spracheinstellungen und Identitätskonstruktion. Eine gesprächsanalytische Untersuchung sprachbiographischer Interviews mit Deutsch-Vietnamesen. Berlin.
Krüssel, Marita (2020): „Es ist so, als hätte man eine neue Jacke“. Namenänderungen von Russlanddeutschen – eine qualitative Studie. Masterarbeit. Universität Münster.
Lütkenhöner, Laura (2011): „Hat Julia aufgrund ihres Vornamens Wettbewerbsvorteile gegenüber Ayse und Chantal? Ein Experiment auf dem Beziehungs-, Nachhilfe- und Wohnungsmarkt“. In: Diskussionspapier des Instituts für Organisationsökonomik 2, 1–22.
Maitz, Péter (2008): „Der Familienname als Ausschluss- und Machtinstrument. Eine kritisch-diskursanalytische Fachstudie“. In: Eller, Nicole/Hackl, Stefan/L’upták, Marek (Hrsg.): Namen und ihr Konfliktpotential im europäischen Kontext. Regensburg, 187–217.
Menge, Heinz (2000): „Namensänderung slawischer Familiennamen im Ruhrgebiet“. In: Niederdeutsches Wort. Beiträge zur niederdeutschen Philologie 40, 119–132.
Nübling, Damaris/Kunze, Konrad (2023): Kleiner deutscher Familiennamenatlas. Berlin/Boston.
Nübling, Damaris (2021): Bewegte und bewegende Namen. Lebensabschnittsnamen als Marker biografischer Transition. In: Beiträge zur Namenforschung 56 (1–2), 17–40.
Schweden, Theresa (demnächst): „Lieber eine Schmidt als irgendeinen Ali. Eine diskurslinguistische Studie zu Namen als ethnische Marker auf dem Wohnungsmarkt“. In: Kroiß, Daniel/Lind, Miriam/Späth, Lena (Hrsg.): Beiträge zur Namenforschung: „Namen und Politik“.
Schiller, Christiane (2024): „Motive der Vornamenwahl für Kinder von in Deutschland lebenden Litauerinnen und Litauern“. In: Kessler, Stephan (Hrsg.): Baltische Sprachen und Kulturen in der Diaspora. Hamburg, 225–246.
Schmidt-Jüngst, Miriam (2018): „Der Rufnamenwechsel als performativer Akt der Transgression“. In: Nübling, Damaris/Hirschauer, Stefan (Hrsg.): Namen und Geschlechter – Studien zum onymischen Un/doing Gender. Berlin/Boston, 45–72.
Woo Louie, Emma (1998): Chinese American Names: Tradition and Transition. Jefferson.
Zimmer, Christian (im Erscheinen): „Zur Schreibung türkischer Familiennamen in deutschen Zeitungstexten. Indexikalisches Potential als Auslöser von graphematischem Wandel“. Zeitschrift für germanistische Linguistik.
Zimmer, Christian (2021): „Siedlungsgeschichte und Varietätenkontakt: Zur Entstehung des Namdeutschen.“ Zeitschrift für Dialektologie und Linguistik 88, 324–350.
Monday, November 18, 2024
Exploring the Role of Public and Scholarly Engagement in Onomastics
The article "A névtani tudománykommunikáció szerepe és fórumai napjainkban" from Névtani Értesítő (2024, Vol. 46, pp. 151–167, by Kitti Hauber and Dávid Wendl) highlights the importance of name science communication in today's academic and societal contexts. It examines the challenges and opportunities within the discipline of onomastics, emphasizing the dual role of disseminating knowledge among scholars and engaging the broader public.
I am proud to state that I was cited four times throughout the article, specifically in connection to:
- The classification of name-based content in social media and the definition of onomastic communication channels for different audiences (p. 157).
- The limited participation of researchers in innovative forms of science communication, emphasizing the role of blogs and digital platforms in promoting onomastics (p. 159).
- The expectation that researchers on social media platforms eventually gain greater trust for their academic contributions compared to non-scientific content (p. 160).
- The functional characteristics of the e-Onomastics blog, a resource curated by your obedient servant, which combines scholarly dissemination and public engagement (p. 161).
These references reflect my position in advocating for the modernization of onomastic communication, particularly through digital and participatory platforms.
Key Insights from the Article
Onomastics and Public Engagement
The article underscores the growing public interest in names (both personal and place names), alongside the need to counteract pseudoscientific narratives using academically sound communication.Science Communication Platforms
Traditional print media, interactive blogs, and social networks are identified as key channels. Noteworthy examples, such as the e-Onomastics blog, are celebrated for bridging academic rigor and public interest.Challenges in Modern Communication
Addressing the spread of misinformation in the digital age, the article argues for the active presence of onomasticians on platforms like social media to ensure the visibility of reliable scientific content.
This article serves as a compelling reminder of the evolving responsibilities of onomasticians in the 21st century. By exploring innovative communication strategies, such as those pioneered by Shokhenmayer, the field of onomastics continues to enhance its societal relevance and academic impact.
Sunday, November 17, 2024
IV Congreso Toponomasticon Hispaniae: Avanzando en el estudio de la toponimia peninsular
The IV Congreso Toponomasticon Hispaniae, organized by the Asturian-Leonese Toponymy Group, will take place in Oviedo/Uviéu from November 18 to 20, 2024. This scientific conference focuses on advancing the study of peninsular toponymy and offers a rich platform for scholars to engage in analysis and collaborative work.
Structure of the Conference:
The conference is divided into two main parts:
Toponymy Studies (Morning Sessions):
- Presentations will explore the analysis of place names, with a special focus on toponyms derived from feminine personal names.
- Contributions will be integrated into the online resources of the project.
Working Sessions (Afternoon and Wednesday Morning):
Topics include:- Finalizing the list of etyma for the concluding book.
- Reviewing bibliographies and abbreviations.
- Analyzing suffixes.
- Coordinating with cartographic services.
- Integrating Basque toponymy.
- Various related subjects, such as surname maps, toponymic terminology, and other participant suggestions.
- Justifying and renewing the project.
- Preparing for the next congress in Santiago.
The event also features a guided tour of Oviedo on Wednesday afternoon, offering participants an opportunity to explore the city.
Academic and Organizational Support:
The conference is guided by a distinguished Scientific Council that includes renowned scholars from institutions across Spain. The Organizing Committee, comprising representatives from the Universities of Oviedo and Seville, ensures smooth coordination.
Venue:
The sessions will be held at the Department of Classical and Romance Philology, Faculty of Philosophy and Letters, University of Oviedo, located on the Milan Campus.
Este Congreso constará de dos partes: I. Estudios de toponimia (sesión de mañana): se aceptarán comunicaciones relacionadas con el análisis de topónimos que luego se puedan volcar a la web del proyecto. Habrá que prestar una especial atención a los topónimos procedentes de nombres propios femeninos. II. Reuniones de trabajo (sesión de tarde y mañana del miércoles) en las que se abordará la siguiente temática: a. Fijación de la lista de étimos para el libro final. b. Revisión de bibliografía y abreviaturas. c. Sufijos. d. Comunicación con los servicios cartográficos respectivos e. Integración de la toponimia vasca. f. Varia: temas relacionados con el TopHisp: i. Mapas de apellidos. ii. Terminología toponímica. iii. Otros (se admiten sugerencias) g. Justificación de proyecto. h. Renovación del proyecto. i. Preparación congreso de Santiago
Friday, November 15, 2024
Language specialist at the Onomastics Unit is sought
Job offer
Title 230/2024 - A contract for a specialist at the Language Service Onomastics Unit.
Contract details
Job description
The successful candidate will handle language queries submitted to the Onomastics Unit; process user requests for anthroponomy and toponymy reports; organise conferences and seminars; assist users with their different requests, and work on collaboration agreements and projects with other public administrations.
Funding body: Institut d'Estudis Baleàrics
Call: Subvenció nominativa del Gabinet d'Onomàstica a través de l'Institut d'Estudis Baleàrics
Applicant requirements
Skills/Qualifications
A degree in any of the following areas: arts and humanities, preferably Catalan language and literature, Spanish language and literature, or translation and interpreting. Candidates with a degree in any social or legal science are also welcome to apply.
Specific requeriments
Language requeriments: Candidates who do not have a Degree in Catalan Language and Literature must have an accredited C2 level in Catalan.
Experience required: 1-4 years
Prior experience: Haver treballat en tasques de l'àmbit sociocultural i, si pot ser, lingüístic (correcció, traducció, onomàstica, gestió cultural, edició de textos...).
Type of contract: Permanent
Full/Part-time: Full-time
Hours per week: 37,5
Work schedule: Flexible
Application submission deadline: From Monday, November 11, 2024 until Friday, November 22, 2024
Planned start date: Monday, January 13, 2025
The contract start date is subject to budget availability and, where applicable publication of the final award decision to fund the contract.
Additional information
Monthly salary and benefits: 1.700,00 €
Compensation may be higher where the successful candidate accredits recognised professional experience.
National seminar on “Significance of Onomastics in the Indian context”
Department of Malayalam, Sree Krishna College invites abstracts for a two-day National seminar on “Significance of Onomastics in the Indian context” in January 2025. Abstracts (up to 500 words) are to be sent to the email icssrprojectmks@gmail.com on or before 30.11. 2024. Full papers are to be sent before 20.12.2024. Selected papers will be published in Proceedings of the Seminar with ISBN.
The seminar is scheduled to be conducted in January 2025; the exact dates will be announced soon.
Wednesday, November 13, 2024
Latest Issue of the Bulletin de la Commission Royale de Toponymie et Dialectologie (Volume 95, Issue 1, 2024)
We are excited to introduce the latest edition of the Bulletin de la Commission Royale de Toponymie et Dialectologie, which continues to showcase insightful research at the intersection of toponymy and dialectology. This issue, marking Volume 95, presents a fascinating range of topics, from etymological analyses and pronunciation studies to historical dialect boundaries and cultural diversity.
Annual Report 2022 – Presented by José Cajot, Jean Germain, and Chris De Wulf, this report provides an overview of the Commission’s activities and accomplishments over the past year.
List of Members – Compiled by Chris De Wulf, the updated member list acknowledges the contributions of the scholars and experts who make the Bulletin possible.
In Memoriam: Reine Mantou – Jean Germain offers a tribute to Reine Mantou, celebrating her legacy and dedication to the field.
Featured Articles:
“Lapscheure, Etymologically Torn: An Overview of Views, New Findings, and a Proposal for Reconciliation” by Luc De Grauwe
Luc De Grauwe presents a compelling analysis of Lapscheure’s etymology, exploring different interpretations and introducing new findings in an effort to reconcile longstanding debates.“Study of Variation in the Contemporary Local French Pronunciation of Hesbignon Toponyms” by Robin Joassin
Robin Joassin investigates the nuances in the pronunciation of specific Hesbignon toponyms, such as Lens-Saint-Remy, Lens-Saint-Servais, Lens-sur-Geer, and Abolens, providing insights into local dialectal influences on place names.“Picardisch in Flemish/Dutch” by Frans Debrabandere
Frans Debrabandere delves into the interactions and overlaps between the Picard and Flemish/Dutch dialects, illuminating linguistic exchanges and shifts that enrich the regional linguistic landscape.“Early Medieval Funerary Diversity and the Deepest Dialect Boundaries in the Low Countries” by Luc Van Durme
In this study, Luc Van Durme examines the deep-rooted dialect boundaries of the Low Countries, tracing their connections to early medieval funerary practices and the diverse cultural groups they reflect.
This latest issue of the Bulletin not only continues the Commission’s tradition of scholarly excellence but also brings forward new perspectives that deepen our understanding of the linguistic, historical, and cultural dimensions of place names and dialects.
We invite you to explore this edition and join us in celebrating the ongoing contributions to toponymy and dialectology that this Bulletin represents.
50 Years of Österreichische Namenforschung: Anniversary Symposium Highlights
Beiträge zur Jubiläumstagung „50 Jahre Österreichische Namenforschung“, Linz, 25.–26.5.2023
Seiten / 2024 / Praesens Verlag / 978-3-7069-1261-7 (ISBN)
We are thrilled to present the latest issue of Beiträge der Jubiläumstagung "50 Jahre Österreichische Namenforschung", celebrating five decades of the Austrian journal dedicated to name research. This special edition brings together an impressive collection of contributions from leading scholars in the field, each exploring diverse dimensions of onomastics across Central Europe and beyond. These articles delve into both historical foundations and future perspectives, showcasing research that underscores the importance of names in understanding cultural, linguistic, and social identities.
Featured Articles
Peter Ernst offers a concise history of publications from Österreichische Namenforschung, reflecting on the journal's evolution and its role in Austrian onomastic studies.
Wolf-Armin Frhr. von Reitzenstein explores Blätter für oberdeutsche Namenforschung, a foundational journal in Southern German name research.
Albrecht Greule discusses the implications of migration, popularization, and digitalization on naming practices, providing a thought-provoking assessment of contemporary trends.
Thomas Lindner presents a progress report and future perspectives on the Historisch-Etymologische Lexikon der Salzburger Ortsnamen, a project invaluable for historical and etymological research on Salzburg’s place names.
Gerhard Rampl and Elisabeth Gruber-Tokic share insights from their citizen science project Flurnamenerhebung im Bundesland Tirol, which gathers and documents local field names in Tyrol.
Wolfgang Janka introduces place name research projects led by the Commission for Bavarian Regional History, underscoring the enduring importance of regional onomastic studies.
Hubert Bergmann provides a study on the pronunciation of Austrian family names, addressing orthoepic considerations in the context of cultural identity.
Nicolas M. Jansens and Harald Bichlmeier present the project Sprach- und Kulturdynamik in einer Frontiergesellschaft, exploring linguistic and cultural dynamics in medieval Northeast Bavaria and West Bohemia.
Dieter Kremer offers a sketch of family names in Chemnitz, shedding light on their etymology and historical significance.
Marietta Calderón delves into onomastics within German-speaking Romance studies, discussing interdisciplinarity and current research desiderata.
Ulrike Thumberger examines how proper names in Austrian songs contribute to the construction of national identity, offering a unique cultural perspective.
Margarete Platt traces field names in Vienna and its surroundings from the Middle Ages to the present, capturing their historical and cultural evolution.
Martin Hannes Graf discusses the perspectives of place name research in Switzerland, highlighting recent advancements and future goals.
Simone Berchtold Schiestl introduces the Familiennamenatlas der Deutschschweiz, mapping family names in German-speaking Switzerland and touching on their relationships with Romance-speaking areas.
Márta Müller investigates street-naming conventions in the Ofner Bergland, providing an insightful look into urban onomastics.
Kitti Hauber explores sociocultural aspects of German family names in the Carpathian Basin during the 18th century.
Martina Piko-Rustia documents oral Slovenian geographical names in Carinthia, discussing challenges of transcription and standardization.
Heinz-Dieter Pohl examines the intertwined Slovenian and German naming traditions in Carinthia/Koroska, celebrating a millennium of shared heritage.
Emanuel Klotz presents a model for determining the probability of interpreting borrowed toponyms, with examples from the Slavia Tirolensis region.
Each of these articles brings a fresh perspective on the evolving field of onomastics, demonstrating the discipline’s relevance in understanding language, migration, and cultural dynamics in contemporary society. We invite readers to engage with this rich array of studies and celebrate this milestone issue, marking fifty years of contributions to Austrian name research.
Sunday, November 10, 2024
Переименование в Казахстане и его ономастика
Депутат Сената Нурторе Жусип несколько недель назад предложил перестать учитывать мнение местных жителей при осуществлении ономастических преобразований. Мол, согласования на местах стопорят переименования населённых пунктов и улиц, что противоречит национальным интересам Казахстана. Предлагает изменить законодательство таким образом, чтобы правительство могло возвращать традиционные и исторические названия по своему усмотрению. Что можно сказать по этому поводу?
Review of the 5th International Aleksandras Vanagas Conference "Language and Culture Dialogue in 21st Century Onomastics"
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| https://www.facebook.com/Lietuviukalbosinstitutas |
Conference Highlights
Day 1: Setting the Stage for Dialogue The conference opened with remarks from Aurelija Tamulionienė and Grasilda Blažienė, welcoming attendees and setting an enthusiastic tone. The plenary session featured notable talks, including Artur Gałkowski’s insights on the development of onomastic terminology and Olena Fomenko’s analysis of public naming practices in wartime Ukraine. The sessions throughout the day provided valuable perspectives on topics such as Lithuanian place names, the cultural significance of names, and onomastic practices in literature.
Day 2: Engaging Presentations and Thought-Provoking Topics On the second day, attendees enjoyed a total of 27 presentations, covering diverse topics including Lithuanian regional toponymy, the survival of Prussian names in multicultural settings, and the content and specificity of modern name studies. The hybrid format allowed for participation from scholars worldwide, enhancing the dialogue between researchers from different backgrounds.
Dr. Ivoška celebrated the robust turnout and underscored the importance of sharing onomastics research beyond academia. In his words, “It is worth not only developing onomastic science in isolation but also sharing its findings and discoveries with colleagues from around the world.” He expressed hope that this tradition would continue and that even more researchers would gather for the 6th conference dedicated to Aleksandras Vanagas.
Key Takeaways and Future Directions
The conference highlighted emerging trends in onomastics, from digital humanities applications to studies on multilingualism and cultural identity. Here are a few notable themes:
- Regional and Cultural Heritage: Presentations emphasized the importance of preserving historical names, especially in regions with rich multicultural pasts, such as Lithuania and the broader Baltic area.
- Names as Connectors: The reflections from Dr. Miliūnaitė and Dr. Ivoška underscored how names serve as connectors across time and cultures, a theme that resonated throughout the sessions.
- Collaborative Research and Knowledge Sharing: With researchers from around the world in attendance, the conference promoted a spirit of collaboration and encouraged sharing onomastic insights with a global audience.
Conclusion
The 5th Aleksandras Vanagas Conference demonstrated the depth and interdisciplinary nature of onomastics, bridging historical insights with contemporary questions. The event highlighted the role of names in preserving cultural memory and fostering connections within society. Attendees left with a renewed appreciation for the power of names and the inspiration to continue exploring this fascinating field. With the success of this conference, anticipation is already building for the 6th Aleksandras Vanagas Conference, promising an even wider gathering of onomastic scholars from around the globe.
Conférence « L’empreinte française dans la toponymie québécoise »
Lundi 25 novembre 2024 – 17h
Conférence
« L’empreinte française dans la toponymie québécoise
Une histoire d’héritage et de préservation culturelle »
par Sylvain Beaupré, professeur à l’Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue
L’influence française dans la toponymie québécoise incarne les liens historiques, culturels et linguistiques qui unissent la France et le Québec. Il s’agit d’un héritage inestimable, jalousement préservé par les Québécois, qui témoigne de leur appartenance à la francophonie mondiale et de leur attachement à une identité unique.
Cette présentation a pour objectif de mettre en lumière la profondeur, la pérennité et la complexité de cette influence française sur la toponymie du Québec. Elle révèle ainsi une histoire d’exploration, de colonisation, de résilience et de préservation culturelle. Chaque toponyme constitue un chapitre du récit captivant de la relation franco-québécoise, une relation qui continue d’évoluer et de se renforcer au fil des siècles.
À propos du conférencier : anthropologue de formation, Sylvain Beaupré est spécialisé dans les méthodes de recherche qualitative, l’analyse des pratiques enseignantes, ainsi que l’étude du monde du travail et des dynamiques scolaires. Plus récemment, il a étendu ses recherches à la toponymie, en explorant les origines autochtones et européennes des noms de lieux au Québec.
Archives nationales, site de Paris
CARAN — salle d’albâtre
11 rue des Quatre-Fils
75003 Paris
Accès libre et gratuit
Friday, November 8, 2024
Finnish Conference of Onomastics 2024
The 2024 Finnish Conference of Onomastics was held on November 7-8 at the University of Helsinki, attracting scholars and enthusiasts in the field of onomastics from across Finland. The conference presented a rich program of presentations on diverse topics related to names and naming practices, with sessions available both in-person and online.
Conference Overview
Location and Schedule: The event took place at two main venues: the University of Helsinki's main building (Room F3005) and the Language Centre (Room 115). The conference sessions were streamed online for remote attendees, making the discussions widely accessible.
Workshop for Doctoral Candidates – November 7, 2024: The conference began with a workshop specifically designed for doctoral candidates and their advisors. Led by Milla Juhonen, this text workshop provided an opportunity for aspiring onomasticians to present and refine their research projects with guidance from experienced scholars. Interested participants were encouraged to contact Juhonen directly for further details.
Conference Program – November 8, 2024
Morning Session Highlights (9:00 AM – 11:00 AM):
Opening Remarks and Introduction of Name of the Year 2024 Finalists
Lasse Hämäläinen commenced the day by welcoming participants and introducing the finalists for the Finnish Name of the Year 2024.Overview of 2024 Naming Events
Terhi Ainiala provided a comprehensive summary of onomastic events at the University of Helsinki throughout the year, highlighting the university's significant role in advancing name research.Featured Presentations
- Hanna Virranpää explored how place names contribute to the construction of place descriptions and cultural perceptions within letters from Finnish Canadians, offering insights into how diaspora communities maintain connections with their heritage.
- Milla Juhonen discussed representations of the Helsinki neighborhood Kontula in Finnish crime novels, examining how the neighborhood is portrayed as a “burden of residence” and how it contributes to character building in fiction.
- Nelma Manninen and Taarna Valtonen analyzed character names in Väinö Linna’s The Unknown Soldier, providing a linguistic perspective on name choice within Finnish literature.
Afternoon Session Highlights (12:00 PM – 5:00 PM): The afternoon session, held at the Language Centre, featured a keynote presentation by Olli Salomies on Roman naming conventions, followed by a diverse array of presentations:
- Maria Sarhemaa discussed references to Hungary in Finnish parliamentary speeches, shedding light on the symbolic role of international place names in political discourse.
- ICOS 2024 Helsinki: Reflections and Experiences offered a retrospective on the International Congress of Onomastic Sciences, held in Helsinki earlier this year.
- The much-anticipated announcement of the Finnish Name of the Year 2024 took place shortly before the coffee break.
Additional presentations included:
- Satu Siiskonen examined the names of modern Finnish pharmacies, revealing the trends and cultural considerations behind business naming practices.
- Anna Lea Sinneberg presented on "perk names" in the context of an online multiplayer horror game, highlighting the intersection of onomastics and digital gaming culture.
- Edla Szabó analyzed the structure and popularity of compound names among Finnish women, focusing on the 200 most common combinations.
- Petra Saarnisto shared observations on the vocabulary and structure of newly created Finnish surnames, offering insights into recent trends in family name innovation.
Closing Event
The conference concluded with a self-hosted dinner at Zinnkeller Restaurant, allowing participants to socialize and discuss onomastic topics in a relaxed setting.
Conclusion
The 2024 Finnish Conference of Onomastics provided a dynamic platform for exploring the many facets of names, with presentations that bridged historical, cultural, and digital onomastics. With a forward-looking emphasis on both traditional and modern naming trends, the conference underscored the evolving nature of onomastics and laid the groundwork for future research in the field.
Thursday, November 7, 2024
Brazilians and Their Names: Theory and History of Anthroponymy in Brazil
The book argues that these newly created names differentiated Brazilian Portuguese from its European and African variants, infusing the language with distinct cultural markers that underscore Brazil’s evolving identity. The author, Soledade, suggests that these naming practices might have served as an assertion of autonomy for Afro-Brazilian communities, while still appealing to a broader cross-section of Brazilian society.
The study does not only focus on the 20th century but also digs deep into Brazil’s colonial past. By examining the onomastic systems of both Black and White communities during the colonial period, as well as the largely overlooked indigenous naming practices, the book provides a comprehensive overview of the influences that shaped Brazilian naming conventions.
More than just a historical overview, A Revolução Antroponímica no Brasil positions itself as a groundbreaking reference in Brazilian anthroponomastics, contributing a well-researched, detailed understanding of the country’s personal naming history. This work is a call to future researchers to continue exploring Brazil’s rich and diverse onomastic traditions, promising to inspire new studies on how names mirror the Brazilian experience.
With this book, readers can expect an insightful journey into how names reveal Brazil’s cultural and historical tapestry, offering a fresh perspective on the deeply rooted connections between identity, language, and society.
Presenting the New Volume No. 4 of the Nordic Journal of Socio-Onomastics
The latest volume of the Nordic Journal of Socio-Onomastics (NoSo), published in 2024, offers a rich collection of articles and studies exploring the social dimensions of names and naming practices across the Nordic countries. This journal, backed by the Royal Gustavus Adolphus Academy for Swedish Folk Culture in collaboration with Halmstad University, provides a scholarly platform for examining the cultural, historical, and sociolinguistic aspects of onomastics within Nordic contexts.
In this issue, readers can delve into articles such as Þorsteinn and Sigurðr's examination of Icelandic and Norwegian personal names in Íslendingaþættir tales. This study highlights how naming practices reflect cultural distinctions and social identity within Old Norse literature. Another thought-provoking article, "Squiggles in a Weak Position" by Märit Frändén, investigates the adaptation of diacritical marks in immigrant personal names, shedding light on the integration of non-Nordic names within Scandinavian societies.
Additional research in this volume addresses themes like onomastic dysphoria, identity, and citizenship, exploring how names intersect with personal and national identities. This edition also features insights into the editorial choices in SAOL (Swedish Academy Glossary) regarding foreign place names, offering a critical look at why some cities, like Paris, are standardized, while others, like Prague, are not.
Whether you’re an onomastician, linguist, or someone fascinated by the socio-cultural weight of names, Volume 4 of NoSo promises a blend of historical depth and contemporary relevance. This volume not only enhances our understanding of the power of names but also enriches our appreciation of the diverse social landscapes across Nordic countries.
Introducing the New 46th Issue of Névtani Értesítő
The 46th issue of Névtani Értesítő, published in 2024, presents a wealth of insightful studies and discussions in onomastics, the study of names. Edited by the Hungarian Linguistics and Finno-Ugric Institute at Eötvös Loránd University, this issue continues to be a key resource for academics and enthusiasts exploring the linguistic, cultural, and historical dimensions of naming.
In this issue, readers will find diverse articles on literary name usage, with contributions like Tasi Réka's exploration of the cultural and translational aspects of literary naming. The edition covers thematic studies on classical naming strategies, the significance of epithets in translations, and the role of personal and place names in notable Hungarian literature. There are also dedicated sections for emerging research areas, such as regional surname typologies and historical dialectology.
The journal also includes a “Workshop” section, which addresses contemporary challenges and the role of onomastic communication in academia today. Additionally, Névtani Értesítő offers an array of book and journal reviews, providing updates on the latest publications and research in the onomastics field.
Whether you are an academic, a student, or simply interested in the fascinating study of names, this issue of Névtani Értesítő provides a comprehensive and thought-provoking read.
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