CfP: 8th International Symposium on Place Names 2025

 
Eighth International Symposium on Place Names 2025 (ISPN 2025)

Theme: Harmonising Toponymic Heritage: Balancing Standardisation and Local Diversity
Dates: 26–29 November 2025
Location: Clarens, South Africa (face-to-face event)
Submission Deadline: 4 April 2025
Contact Email: kongresETFB@ufs.ac.za

The Department of South African Sign Language and Deaf Studies at the University of the Free State (RSA), in collaboration with the Joint ICA/IGU Commission on Toponymy and the ICOS Working Group on Toponymy, is excited to announce the Eighth International Symposium on Place Names (ISPN 2025).

Place names play a vital role in linking people and places, serving both as geospatial markers and as cultural heritage artefacts. However, the tension between standardisation for clarity and the preservation of local diversity presents significant challenges in toponymic management. This symposium invites scholars and practitioners to explore these challenges and share insights on harmonising toponymic heritage.

Call for Papers

We welcome contributions addressing the symposium’s theme and the following subtopics (but not limited to):

• Recognition beyond standardisation, particularly for indigenous and minority place names.
• Best practices for standardisation, management, and research of multilingual and multicultural toponymy.
• Approaches to representing place-name diversity on maps and in textual formats.
• Strategies for harmonising toponymic heritage in multilingual societies.
• Administrative, commercial, cultural, and historical dimensions of place names.
• Diversity in place names resulting from various socio-linguistic and cultural influences.
• Political, economic, and linguistic perspectives on place-name management.

Submission Guidelines

Abstracts of 250 words should be submitted via email to Dr. Chrismi Loth at kongresETFB@ufs.ac.za by 4 April 2025. Submissions must include:

• Title of the proposed paper.
• Author(s) name(s) and affiliation(s).
• Contact details.

All sessions will be plenary, allowing for in-depth discussion and engagement. Papers with a focus on minority and indigenous place names, including sign languages, are especially encouraged.

Join Us

This symposium offers a unique opportunity to contribute to the ongoing dialogue on balancing standardisation with the rich diversity of toponymic heritage. For additional information, please contact Dr. Chrismi Loth at kongresETFB@ufs.ac.za.

We look forward to welcoming you to Clarens, South Africa, in November 2025!