Monday, December 2, 2024
Sunday, December 1, 2024
Exploring the December 2024 Issue of Placenames Australia Newsletter
The Australian National Placenames Survey (Placenames Australia) has unveiled its December 2024 newsletter, brimming with captivating articles that highlight the complexity, history, and quirky stories behind place names. This issue blends deep scholarly insights with a lighthearted exploration of toponymic curiosities, offering something for both casual readers and serious researchers.
Key Highlights from the Issue
1. Could Bessia Turn into Jessie?
The lead article by Jan Tent delves into the intriguing question of whether the modern name "Jessie River" in the Northern Territory is a distorted version of the Dutch "Bessia River," first recorded during a 1705 expedition. Tent examines the linguistic and historical evidence, exploring possible eponyms and cartographic influences. The piece not only uncovers the roots of the name but also highlights the challenges of toponymic evolution.
2. From Mia-Mia to Maimai
This feature investigates the transformation of the Australian Indigenous term "mia-mia" into the New Zealand term "maimai," now used to describe a duck shooter's hide. The article traces the linguistic journey of this word, its incorporation into Australian and New Zealand English, and its subsequent use as toponyms and even vessel names. It’s a fascinating look at how language and geography interact across cultures.
3. Occupational Toponyms Puzzle
A delightful challenge for readers is the "Occupational Toponyms Puzzle," where place names derived from occupations are revealed through clever clues. This feature combines fun with education, inviting readers to connect geographical names to historical professions.
4. A Hibernian New Zealand?
This article explores a little-known chapter in New Zealand's colonial history, when the North, South, and Stewart Islands were briefly named New Ulster, New Munster, and New Leinster, respectively. Drawing on historical maps and records, the story reveals how these Irish names reflect early political ambitions and cultural overlays.
5. Hypocoristics from Queensland
Michele Lang's exploration of abbreviated and colloquial place names from Queensland is both amusing and informative. From "Brissy" (Brisbane) to "Bundy" (Bundaberg), the list underscores the Australian penchant for linguistic creativity and familiarity.
Recurring Features
- Toponymist on the Loose: Joshua Nash takes readers on a journey through Adelaide, reflecting on the evolution of local place names and their historical layers.
- Great Names from Queensland: A spotlight on over 200 placenames beginning with "Great," emphasizing Queensland's vast and varied geographical identity.
- Reader Contributions: Anecdotes and discussions from readers enrich this issue, showcasing how community input continues to shape and preserve the newsletter's dynamic content.
Why This Issue Matters
This edition of Placenames Australia serves as a reminder of the rich tapestry of stories behind names we might take for granted. Whether unraveling centuries-old mysteries, celebrating Indigenous contributions, or uncovering forgotten colonial histories, the newsletter provides a platform for exploring how names shape our understanding of culture, identity, and heritage.
Get Involved
The editorial team invites contributions, photographs, and feedback. Whether you’re a seasoned toponymist or a curious reader, there’s a place for you in the vibrant Placenames Australia community. For those keen to support the project, membership options are available, ensuring the continued success of this fascinating national initiative.
Dive into the December 2024 issue and uncover the captivating world of Australian toponymy!
Lecture on Belfast's Street Names Through Translation
Join us for this year's Seán Mac Airt Lecture 2024!
NIPNP researcher Thomas Hughes will explore Belfast's Street Names Through Translation, discussing their meaning, history, and Irish forms.
8 PM, Thursday 5th December
Peter Froggatt Centre, QUB
FREE
Celebrating Identity and Culture: The 2024 Edition of Nomina Africana
The latest issue of Nomina Africana (2024) is here, and it’s packed with insightful articles that delve into the rich and dynamic world of African onomastics. This issue focuses on how naming practices reflect, shape, and challenge societal norms, cultural identity, and historical memory. Through diverse case studies and innovative methodologies, these research articles provide a window into the intricate relationship between names, language, and culture across the African continent.
Highlights from the Issue
1. Addressing Gender-Based Violence through Names
- Livingstone Makondo explores how Shona anthroponyms (personal names) can be used to combat gender-based violence. This article reveals how naming practices carry the potential to shift societal attitudes and foster gender equality by embedding moral and ethical values in names.
2. Names as Moral Agents in Ubuntu Philosophy
- In their article, Maradze Viriri and Nobuhle Ndimande-Hlongwa examine how personal names in Buhera South, Zimbabwe, are instrumental in promoting unhu/ubuntu—the philosophy of communal values and human dignity. The authors shed light on the moral agency embedded in naming practices.
3. Naming Among the amaXhosa
- Mlamli Diko delves into the sociocultural significance of naming among the amaXhosa people. This article uncovers how naming serves as a medium for transmitting values, preserving heritage, and expressing identity within this community.
4. Swahili Nicknames and Their Meanings
- Julius Taji conducts a morphosemantic analysis of personal nicknames in Swahili, demonstrating how nicknames function as linguistic and cultural artifacts that reveal insights into individual and societal characteristics.
5. The Power of Place Names in Limpopo, South Africa
- Lekau Eleazar Mphasha, Kgabo L. Mphela, and M.J. Mogoboya explore the sociocultural importance of Northern Sotho place names in the Molemole District. Their work highlights the role of place names in shaping regional identity and historical consciousness.
6. Errors in Indigenous Place Names
- Yanga LP Majola, Itani P. Mandende, and Madoda Cekiso analyze spelling errors in the indigenous town and village names of South Africa's Eastern Cape. This article discusses the impact of such errors on cultural heritage and the need for linguistic accuracy in official toponyms.
7. Renaming in a Democratic South Africa
- In their study, Xolile Philile Ntshangase, Itani Peter Mandende, and Linda Van Huyssteen assess the toponymic renaming process in the Alfred Duma Local Municipality. This qualitative research sheds light on the complexities of renaming as a tool for reconciliation and transformation in post-apartheid South Africa.
8. Towards a "Historio-Lingual" Approach to Ethnonymy
- Mandla D. Mathebula introduces a historio-lingual framework for studying ethnonyms, merging historical and linguistic approaches to deepen our understanding of the origins and meanings of ethnic group names.
Themes and Significance
This edition of Nomina Africana underscores the power of names as cultural, linguistic, and social tools. From addressing contemporary issues like gender-based violence to preserving indigenous identities, the articles illustrate the profound ways names influence and reflect human experiences.
Why This Issue Matters
As Africa continues to grapple with modernization, globalization, and historical reconciliation, the study of names serves as a critical lens for understanding these transformations. Nomina Africana 2024 offers a scholarly yet accessible exploration of these themes, inviting readers to appreciate the depth and diversity of African onomastic traditions.
Whether you're a linguist, historian, sociologist, or simply someone curious about the power of names, this issue provides a compelling journey into the heart of African cultural and linguistic heritage.