(3rd meeting) 2025 Session of the United Nations Group of Experts on Geographical Names

 

Recapping Day 2 at Hashtag

#2025UNGEGN at the United Nations HQ in New York

* Our Forum on Geographical Names as Cultural Heritage brought thoughtful perspectives on protecting names as part of our shared identity and history. We were honoured to hear a keynote from Ms. Aluki Kotierk, Chair of the 🇺🇳 Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, spoke on “Reducing Inequalities: Safeguarding cultural heritage beyond and across borders, languages and international governance.”

* UNGEGN adopted the concept of a Universal Unique Identifier for Cities. See: https://lnkd.in/euk4dMMH

* Saudi Arabia, Canada, Brunei Darussalam, Slovenia, and Sweden shared their national experiences of cultural aspects of geographical names standardization. See: https://lnkd.in/eWMkmhJU

* In the special presentation and panel discussion on "Artificial intelligence and the future of geographical names standardization" UNGEGN took a landscape view on the opportunity of Hashtag#AI to support Member States with enhancing their geographical names capacity

(2nd meeting) 2025 Session of the United Nations Group of Experts on Geographical Names

Description

UNGEGN sessions provide a forum where experts from the interrelated fields of geography, cartography, geospatial information, linguistics and history, from across the world come together to learn and share best practices and norms, new developments in geographical names administration and standardization.

The session also highlights the Group's role as an enabler in preserving cultural heritage and where appropriate support relevant aspects of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

This session will address the theme "Advancing geographical names standardization through inclusive, culturally-informed and evidence-based solutions to support sustainable development".

This theme conforms with General Assembly resolution 70/1, which called for ECOSOC inter-governmental bodies and forums to reflect the integrated nature of the sustainable development goals (SDGs) as well as the interlinkages between them. The 2025 theme was therefore created based on ECOSOC's SDG theme for 2025, 'Advancing sustainable, inclusive, science- and evidence-based solutions for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals for leaving no one behind' which focuses on the review of SDG goals 3, 5, 8, 14 and 17. Therefore, it is beneficial to encourage focus on this topic and create a platform through the 2025 session to explore inclusive, culturally-informed and evidenced based solutions are being employed by Member States to achieve their goals, and in turn support the Sustainable Development Goals.

(1st meeting) 2025 Session of the United Nations Group of Experts on Geographical Names

 

Summary

UNGEGN-2025 will take place at UNHQ in New York from 28 April to 2 May 2025. Theme: Advancing geographical names standardization through inclusive, culturally-informed and evidence-based solutions to support sustainable development

Description

UNGEGN sessions provide a forum where experts from the interrelated fields of geography, cartography, geospatial information, linguistics and history, from across the world come together to learn and share best practices and norms, new developments in geographical names administration and standardization.

The session also highlights the Group's role as an enabler in preserving cultural heritage and where appropriate support relevant aspects of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

This session will address the theme "Advancing geographical names standardization through inclusive, culturally-informed and evidence-based solutions to support sustainable development".

This theme conforms with General Assembly resolution 70/1, which called for ECOSOC inter-governmental bodies and forums to reflect the integrated nature of the sustainable development goals (SDGs) as well as the interlinkages between them. The 2025 theme was therefore created based on ECOSOC's SDG theme for 2025, 'Advancing sustainable, inclusive, science- and evidence-based solutions for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals for leaving no one behind' which focuses on the review of SDG goals 3, 5, 8, 14 and 17. Therefore, it is beneficial to encourage focus on this topic and create a platform through the 2025 session to explore inclusive, culturally-informed and evidenced based solutions are being employed by Member States to achieve their goals, and in turn support the Sustainable Development Goals.

The Language of the Gods: An Onomastic Journey Through Indo-European Mythology

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 Date: 30 June 2025

Time: 16:15 – 17:45

Venue: CERES-Palais, Room "Ruhrpott" (4.13), Ruhr-Universität Bochum

How do metaphors shape the very names of the gods?
This summer, the SFB 1475 invites you to a fascinating lecture by Dr. Velizar Sadovski (Austrian Academy of Sciences, Institute of Iranian Studies) exploring the rich, poetic world of divine naming in Indo-European mythologies.

In his talk titled "Pantheon and Meta-tropology: Metaphors, Metonymies, Synekdochai and Personified Abstracta in Divine Names from India and Iran to Greece, Rome and Beyond," Dr. Sadovski will unravel the deep interconnections between language, mythology, and cosmology.

What to Expect:

• From India to Rome: Discover how theonyms — divine names — often originated from personified abstract concepts like Wisdom (Metis), Order (Themis), and Victory (Nike).

• Not Just Names: Learn how these names didn't merely describe qualities but combined into powerful systems that shaped theological and cosmological thought.

• Clusters and Systems: From the dual deities like Deimos and Phobos (Terror and Fear), to triads, hexads, and the famous twelve gods of Rome, Dr. Sadovski will show how divine names built structured mythological universes.

• Indo-Iranian Traditions: Dive into the catalogues of divine epithets like the 50 names of Ahura Mazda or the 1000 names of Shiva, understanding their role in consolidating old and new gods.

• Metaphor and Metonymy: See how figurative language became sacred, immortalized in both religious worship and personal names across cultures.

Why You Should Attend:

This Metaphor Talk promises to be an intellectual adventure for anyone interested in mythology, linguistics, theology, or cultural history. Dr. Sadovski’s deep expertise in Iranian and Indo-European studies offers a rare opportunity to see how language shapes divinity — and how metaphors, once mere figures of speech, became the very building blocks of the ancient world’s pantheons.

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🔗 Learn more about the event at sfb1475.ruhr-uni-bochum.de

Discover Scotland’s Place-Name Secrets: the SPNS AGM & Spring Conference 2025 in Paisley

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 If you're fascinated by the hidden histories and meanings behind Scotland’s landscapes, then mark your calendar for Saturday, 3 May 2025!

The Scottish Place-Name Society (SPNS) is hosting its AGM and Spring Conference at the Wynd Centre in Paisley, and it promises a rich programme packed with insights into place-name research, history, and culture.

What to Expect at the SPNS Spring Conference 2025

The day kicks off at 10:30 AM with the Society’s Annual General Meeting, an important moment for members to engage with the direction and future activities of SPNS. Following a short coffee break, the real journey through Scotland’s place-names begins:

• Denis Rixson will open with a deep dive into interesting Renfrewshire place-names, revealing stories hidden in local landscapes.

• Peter McNiven will explore how place-names can date settlement and peat clearance in the Carse of Stirling - a perfect blend of linguistics and environmental history.

• After lunch, Carole Hough takes us further south into Berwickshire and beyond, focusing on Old English influences in Border place-names.

• Iain Mac an Tàilleir will present on the Gaelic orthography preserved in the OS name books, shedding light on Highland and Lowland border counties.

• Michael Ansell will unravel the case of Machrikil and Kilkerran — a fascinating story of saintly misinterpretation.

• Maggie Scott brings the conference into the present day with a talk on real and fictional place-names in 21st-century literature.

The conference wraps up around 4:30 PM, after a full day of mind-opening discussions, fresh research, and the chance to network with fellow enthusiasts.

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Why You Shouldn't Miss It

• 📚 Unique Expertise: Hear from Scotland’s leading researchers in onomastics and linguistics.

• 🏰 Local Focus: Special attention to Renfrewshire, Berwickshire, and Stirling — offering new perspectives even for locals!

• 🗣️ Engaging Topics: From ancient Gaelic orthography to modern literature, there’s a wide spectrum of stories.

• 👥 Networking: Meet others who are passionate about Scotland’s history, language, and landscape.

• ☕ Friendly Atmosphere: With two coffee breaks and a lunch hour, there’s plenty of time for informal chats and book browsing.

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Save the Date: 📅 3 May 2025
📍 The Wynd Centre, 6 School Wynd, Paisley, PA1 2DB

Learn more and prepare for an unforgettable day at the SPNS official website.

Discover Your Roots: The Swiss Radio Series on Family Names

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Have you ever wondered what your family name means and where it comes from? Switzerland’s Radio SRF 1 invites listeners on a fascinating journey into the world of surnames with its series "Namenlexikon – Was bedeutet mein Familienname?"

Through an easy-to-use search tool, you can discover the origin, meaning, and spread of thousands of Swiss family names. Whether you're browsing by themes like place names ("Flurnamen") or simply exploring randomly, this archive is a treasure trove for anyone curious about ancestry and cultural history. The project encourages listeners to reflect on their personal stories linked to their names and share them in the comments.
A beautiful invitation to connect with our past!

👉 Explore it here: SRF Namenlexikon

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 Entdecken Sie Ihre Wurzeln: Die SRF-Radio-Serie über Familiennamen

Haben Sie sich jemals gefragt, was Ihr Familienname bedeutet und woher er stammt? Radio SRF 1 nimmt Sie mit auf eine faszinierende Entdeckungsreise in die Welt der Nachnamen mit der Serie "Namenlexikon – Was bedeutet mein Familienname?"

Mit einer neuen Suchfunktion können Sie unkompliziert die Herkunft, Bedeutung und Verbreitung vieler Schweizer Familiennamen erforschen. Egal ob gezielt nach Themen wie Flurnamen gesucht oder einfach gestöbert wird – dieses Archiv ist ein wahres Schatzkästchen für alle, die sich für Ahnenforschung und Kulturgeschichte interessieren.
Das Projekt lädt die Hörerinnen und Hörer auch ein, ihre persönliche Geschichte mit dem Familiennamen zu teilen.
Eine wunderbare Gelegenheit, die eigenen Wurzeln besser kennenzulernen!

👉 Hier entdecken: SRF Namenlexikon

Exploration of Anthroponymy in the Diversity of Batak Clans

ЛАКМУС. Василий Супрун, доктор филологических наук

Лингвист, славист и лексиколог, доктор филологический наук Василий Иванович Супрун в новом выпуске программы типа ЛАКМУС рассказывает, что ономастика, как изучаются славянские языки, сколько теорий происхождения этой речи существует, а также опровергает мнение, что филология-женская наука.

Contest on Onomastics Held at Baiyshev University

 On April 18, 2025, the conference hall of Baiyshev University hosted the international scientific contest "Modern Onomastics: Realities and Development Trends," bringing together students and young researchers passionate about the study of onomastics — a crucial element of the linguistic and cultural worldview.

The contest was organized by the faculty of educational programs "Teacher Training in Languages and Literature" at the School of Natural and Humanitarian Sciences.

The goal of the event was to foster interest in onomastic research, support scientific initiatives among young scholars, encourage experience sharing, and develop the culture of scientific discussion and research presentation.

Participants included students from Samara State Social and Pedagogical University (Russia), A. Margulan Pavlodar Pedagogical University (Kazakhstan), K. Zhubanov Aktobe Regional University (Kazakhstan), and Baiyshev University.

The contestants presented works focusing on anthroponymy and toponymy, exploring regional and historical-cultural aspects of naming. Their projects stood out for the originality of topics, depth of analysis, and relevance of conclusions.

Based on evaluations by a jury composed of leading experts in linguistics, winners were selected. All participants received certificates, while the authors of the best projects were awarded diplomas.

The onomastics competition served as a platform for intellectual growth, inter-university collaboration, and the development of research culture among students, reaffirming the strong interest of young people in linguistic studies and their significance for science and society.

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Russian

Международный научный конкурс по ономастике состоялся в Баишев Университете

18 апреля 2025 года в конференц-зале Баишев Университета состоялся научный конкурс с международным участием «Современная ономастика: реалии и тенденции развития», собравший студентов и молодых исследователей, заинтересованных в изучении ономастики — важнейшего элемента языковой и культурной картины мира.

Организатором конкурса выступили преподаватели образовательных программ «Подготовка учителей по языкам и литературе» Высшей школы естественно-гуманитарных наук.

Цель мероприятия заключалась в развитии интереса к ономастическим исследованиям, поддержке научной инициативы молодых учёных, обмене опытом, а также формировании культуры научной дискуссии и презентации результатов исследований.

В конкурсе приняли участие обучающиеся Самарского государственного социально-педагогического университета (Россия), Павлодарского педагогического университета им. А. Маргулана (Казахстан), Актюбинского регионального университета им. К. Жубанова (Казахстан) и Баишев Университета.

Участники представили работы, посвящённые антропонимике и топонимике, затрагивающие региональные и историко-культурные аспекты именования. Конкурсные проекты отличались оригинальностью тем, глубиной анализа и актуальностью выводов.

По итогам оценивания жюри, в состав которого вошли ведущие специалисты в области лингвистики, были определены победители. Все участники получили сертификаты, а авторы лучших проектов — дипломы.

Научный конкурс по ономастике стал важной площадкой для интеллектуального роста, межвузовского сотрудничества и развития исследовательской культуры среди студентов, подтвердив высокий интерес молодежи к лингвистическим исследованиям и их значимость для науки и общества.

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Kazakh

Байышев Университетінде халықаралық ономастика ғылыми байқауы өтті

2025 жылдың 18 сәуірінде Байышев Университетінің конференц-залында «Қазіргі ономастика: шынайылық пен даму үрдістері» атты халықаралық ғылыми байқау өтті. Іс-шараға ономастика ғылымына қызығушылық танытқан студенттер мен жас зерттеушілер қатысты. Ономастика — әлемнің тілдік әрі мәдени бейнесіндегі маңызды элементтердің бірі.

Байқауды ұйымдастырған — Жаратылыстану-гуманитарлық ғылымдар жоғары мектебінің «Тілдер мен әдебиет мұғалімдерін даярлау» білім беру бағдарламаларының оқытушылары.

Іс-шараның мақсаты — ономастикалық зерттеулерге қызығушылықты арттыру, жас зерттеушілердің ғылыми бастамаларын қолдау, тәжірибе алмасу, ғылыми пікірталас мәдениетін дамыту және зерттеу нәтижелерін ұсыну шеберлігін қалыптастыру болды.

Байқауға Самара мемлекеттік әлеуметтік-педагогикалық университетінің (Ресей), А. Марғұлан атындағы Павлодар педагогикалық университетінің (Қазақстан), Қ. Жұбанов атындағы Ақтөбе өңірлік университетінің (Қазақстан) және Байышев Университетінің студенттері қатысты.

Қатысушылар антропонимика мен топонимика салаларын қамтыған, аймақтық және тарихи-мәдени атау мәселелеріне арналған жобаларын ұсынды. Жұмыстар тақырыптардың өзектілігімен, талдаудың тереңдігімен және тұжырымдардың маңыздылығымен ерекшеленді.

Лингвистика саласындағы жетекші мамандардан құралған қазылар алқасының шешімі бойынша жеңімпаздар анықталды. Барлық қатысушылар сертификаттармен, ал үздік жобалардың авторлары дипломдармен марапатталды.

Ономастика бойынша өткен ғылыми байқау студенттер арасында зияткерлік өсудің, жоғары оқу орындары арасындағы ынтымақтастықтың және ғылыми мәдениеттің дамуының маңызды алаңына айналды. Іс-шара жастардың лингвистикалық зерттеулерге деген зор қызығушылығын және ғылым мен қоғам үшін олардың маңыздылығын тағы бір мәрте дәлелдеді.

Ұлттық ономастика - ел айнасы / National onomastics is the mirror of the nation

English

Exploring National Identity Through Language: A Unique Contest in Saran

In the city of Saran, representatives of various nationalities came together to share their knowledge of Kazakh onomastics and compete in a citywide contest.
The event, titled "National Onomastics – the Mirror of the Nation," aimed to delve deep into the richness of the Kazakh language, exploring the origins of names and geographical place names.
This initiative not only celebrated linguistic diversity but also fostered a deeper appreciation for the cultural heritage embedded within the Kazakh language.

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Russian

Погружение в мир языка: уникальный конкурс в Саране

В городе Саран представители разных национальностей поделились своими знаниями казахской ономастики и соревновались в городском конкурсе.
Мероприятие под названием «Национальная ономастика — зеркало народа» было направлено на глубокое изучение богатства казахского языка, происхождения имён и топонимов.
Инициатива не только подчеркнула языковое разнообразие, но и способствовала более глубокому осмыслению культурного наследия, скрытого в казахском языке.

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Kazakh

Тіл арқылы ұлттың рухын тану: Саран қаласындағы ерекше байқау

Саран қаласында түрлі ұлт өкілдері бас қосып, қазақ ономастикасы бойынша білімдерін ортаға салып, қалалық байқауда бақ сынады.
«Ұлттық ономастика – ел айнасы» атты шара қазақ тілінің байлығына терең үңіліп, есімдер мен жер-су атауларының шығу тегін зерделеуді мақсат етті.
Бұл бастама тілдік әртүрлілікті дәріптеп қана қоймай, қазақ тіліндегі мәдени мұраны тереңірек түсінуге ықпал етті.

Upcoming Seminar on Luwic Anthroponyms at Lyon’s HiSoMA

 Mark your calendars for April 22, 2025 - a compelling seminar awaits those interested in ancient languages, religious studies, and the power of names. The Maison de l’Orient et de la Méditerranée (MOM) in Lyon will host a talk by Dr. Florian Réveilhac (CNRS/HiSoMA) on a fascinating topic: the anthroponymy (naming system) of Southern Anatolian languages - namely Luwian, Lycian, and Carian, often collectively referred to as the Luwic subgroup.

Rethinking Names in the Ancient World

Long examined through an Indo-European lens - primarily modeled on Greek and Indo-Iranian - names in Luwic languages are now revealing much more complexity than previously thought. Dr. Réveilhac proposes a significant shift in approach: many personal names in these languages are theophoric, meaning they incorporate the name or epithets of deities.

These divine references may allude to:

• Specific cult places,

• Religious functions or offices,

• Or titles attributed to gods.

Rather than simple lexical derivations, these names reveal a ritual and theological fabric that defined identity in Luwic-speaking cultures.

A New Typology of Names

Dr. Réveilhac’s talk, titled “Les noms théophores dans l’anthroponymie des langues louviques (louvite, lycien, carien, etc.) : nouvelles approches” ("Theophoric Names in Luwic Anthroponymy: New Approaches"), will offer a combinatorial analysis of the building blocks of these names. His work suggests a typology that could reframe how we read and interpret inscriptions from Anatolia.

Event Details

• Title: Les noms théophores dans l’anthroponymie des langues louviques

• Speaker: Dr. Florian Réveilhac, CNRS / HiSoMA

• Date: Tuesday, April 22, 2025

• Time: 17:00–19:00

• Location: Salle Reinach, 4th floor, Maison de l’Orient et de la Méditerranée (MOM), 7 rue Raulin, Lyon 7e

• Organized by: Gilles Van Heems, Yannis Gourdon, and Alcorac Alonso Déniz

• Hosted by: HiSoMA (History and Sources of the Ancient World)

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Whether you're a linguist, historian, philologist, or simply fascinated by how ancient peoples named themselves and others, this seminar offers a unique opportunity to engage with cutting-edge research on ancient naming practices.

Stay tuned and follow updates at: hisoma.mom.fr

🗓️ From Manuscripts to Megabytes: A Digital Leap in Historical Onomastics

 📍 Nominarium Online Seminar – 24 April 2025

🔍 With Agata Łojek (University of Warsaw)
🕔 Thursday, 24 April 2025, 17:00 (Zoom platform)

The next session of the Nominarium – a recurring online seminar hosted by the Polish Onomastic Society and the Onomastics Department of the Institute of the Polish Language, Polish Academy of Sciences – is just around the corner. This time, Agata Łojek, a linguist from the University of Warsaw, will present her cutting-edge digital tool: Antropoteka.

💡 Lecture topic:

“From Manuscripts to Megabytes – How Modern Digital Tools Support Research in Historical Anthroponymy. Presentation of Antropoteka”

In her talk, Agata Łojek will demonstrate how modern data processing techniques can enhance historical name research. The Antropoteka platform is a new database developed under the prestigious Diamond Grant project focused on the evolution and sociolinguistic context of surnames in the Daleszyce parish from the 17th to 19th centuries.

💽 The database already contains over 160,000 personal name entries from baptismal records in Latin and Polish and enables:

• semantic, structural, and sociolinguistic analysis;

• automatic generation of etymological-historical dictionaries;

• interactive maps and search tools for name distribution.

This powerful and open-access tool will soon be available to researchers worldwide.

📩 To register, send an email to: nominarium.poltowonom@gmail.com
You’ll receive a Zoom link in response.

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📚 Od rękopisów do megabajtów – cyfrowe wsparcie w badaniach onomastycznych

📍 Seminarium online NOMINARIUM – 24 kwietnia 2025
🎓 Prowadząca: mgr Agata Łojek (Uniwersytet Warszawski)
🕔 Czwartek, 24 kwietnia 2025, godz. 17:00 (na platformie Zoom)

Najbliższe spotkanie w ramach cyklicznego seminarium NOMINARIUM, organizowanego przez Polskie Towarzystwo Onomastyczne i Pracownię Onomastyki IJP PAN, zapowiada się wyjątkowo interesująco. Gościem będzie mgr Agata Łojek, językoznawczyni z Uniwersytetu Warszawskiego, która zaprezentuje nowoczesne narzędzie badawcze – Antropotekę.

📌 Tytuł wystąpienia:

„Od rękopisów do megabajtów – jak współczesne narzędzia cyfrowe wspierają badania nad antroponimią historyczną? Prezentacja Antropoteki”

Prelegentka przedstawi proces tworzenia innowacyjnej bazy danych antroponimicznych dla parafii Daleszyce (XVII–XIX w.), w ramach grantu MNiSW Diamentowy Grant.

📊 Antropoteka umożliwia:

• kompleksową analizę semantyczną, strukturalną i socjolingwistyczną;

• automatyczne tworzenie słownika etymologiczno-historycznego;

• wyszukiwanie i wizualizację danych z ksiąg metrykalnych (ok. 160 000 notacji).

📬 Zainteresowanych udziałem prosimy o wiadomość na adres: nominarium.poltowonom@gmail.com
Link Zoom zostanie przesłany w odpowiedzi.

🎓 Upcoming Onomastics Lectures You Shouldn’t Miss (Summer to Winter 2025) 🌍

The International Council of Onomastic Sciences (ICOS) continues its Onomastics Online lecture series with three exciting and thought-provoking talks scheduled for June, October, and December 2025. These lectures bring together global scholars exploring the cultural, linguistic, and digital dimensions of names and naming systems. Here’s a glimpse of what’s ahead:

📅 12 June 2025
Speaker: Amin Almuhanna
Affiliation: Kuwait University, Kuwait
Title: Numeric Codes in the Arabian Peninsula
Language: English
Moderator: Fatemeh Akbari
In this session, Dr. Almuhanna explores how numeric codes play a role in naming conventions and identity in the Arabian Peninsula—offering unique insights into an underrepresented area of onomastic research.

📅 9 October 2025
Speaker: Ivana Crljenko
Affiliation: University of Zadar, Croatia
Title: Croatian Exonyms: The Use, Projects, Publications
Language: English
Moderator: Peter Jordan
This talk will dive into the fascinating realm of exonyms—the names used in one language for places in another country—and explore recent projects in Croatian onomastics.

📅 11 December 2025
Speaker: Rethabile Possa
Affiliation: University of Cape Town, South Africa
Title: Offspring of an Outcast: The Cultural Significance of Naming Among the Basotho
Language: English
In a culturally rich presentation, Possa reflects on the symbolic power of naming practices among the Basotho people and how names reflect identity, history, and resilience.

💻 All sessions are streamed live on YouTube and moderated by experts in the field.
📺 Don’t miss out – check the ICOS YouTube channel for previous lectures and subscribe for reminders: ICOS on YouTube

🔗 More info: https://icosweb.net/onomastics-online/

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À ne pas manquer : Trois conférences passionnantes sur l’onomastique (été à hiver 2025)

Le Conseil international des sciences onomastiques (ICOS) poursuit sa série de conférences Onomastics Online avec trois événements virtuels captivants prévus en juin, octobre et décembre 2025. Des spécialistes de renommée internationale y aborderont des thématiques liées aux systèmes de noms, à leur usage culturel et à leur dimension numérique.

📅 12 juin 2025
👤 Intervenant : Amin Almuhanna
🏛️ Institution : Université du Koweït
🗣️ Titre : Numeric Codes in the Arabian Peninsula
📍 Langue : anglais
🎤 Modératrice : Fatemeh Akbari
→ Une analyse originale de l’usage des codes numériques dans la construction identitaire et les systèmes de nommage dans la péninsule Arabique.

📅 9 octobre 2025
👤 Intervenante : Ivana Crljenko
🏛️ Institution : Université de Zadar, Croatie
🗣️ Titre : Croatian exonyms: the use, projects, publications
📍 Langue : anglais
🎤 Modérateur : Peter Jordan
→ Un éclairage sur les exonymes croates et leurs usages, avec un aperçu des projets et publications onomastiques en cours.

📅 11 décembre 2025
👤 Intervenante : Rethabile Possa
🏛️ Institution : Université du Cap, Afrique du Sud
🗣️ Titre : Offspring of an Outcast: The Cultural Significance of Naming Among the Basotho
📍 Langue : anglais
→ Une plongée dans les traditions de nommage du peuple Basotho, révélant leur portée symbolique et identitaire.

📺 Retrouvez toutes les conférences sur la chaîne YouTube de l’ICOS :
YouTube ICOS

📌 Infos & programme complet : https://icosweb.net/onomastics-online/

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Nicht verpassen: Drei kommende Online-Vorträge zur Namenforschung (Sommer bis Winter 2025)

Der Internationale Rat für Namenforschung (ICOS) setzt seine Onomastics Online-Reihe mit drei spannenden Vorträgen fort, die im Juni, Oktober und Dezember 2025 stattfinden. Renommierte Wissenschaftlerinnen und Wissenschaftler beleuchten die kulturellen, sprachlichen und digitalen Aspekte von Namen und Namenssystemen.

📅 12. Juni 2025
👤 Referent: Amin Almuhanna
🏛️ Universität: Kuwait University
🗣️ Titel: Numeric Codes in the Arabian Peninsula
📍 Sprache: Englisch
🎤 Moderatorin: Fatemeh Akbari
→ Eine Untersuchung über die Rolle numerischer Codes in Namenssystemen und Identitätsbildung auf der Arabischen Halbinsel.

📅 9. Oktober 2025
👤 Referentin: Ivana Crljenko
🏛️ Universität: Universität Zadar, Kroatien
🗣️ Titel: Croatian exonyms: the use, projects, publications
📍 Sprache: Englisch
🎤 Moderator: Peter Jordan
→ Ein Überblick über kroatische Exonyme, ihre Verwendung und aktuelle onomastische Projekte.

📅 11. Dezember 2025
👤 Referentin: Rethabile Possa
🏛️ Universität: Universität Kapstadt, Südafrika
🗣️ Titel: Offspring of an Outcast: The Cultural Significance of Naming Among the Basotho
📍 Sprache: Englisch
→ Eine tiefgründige Analyse der Namensgebungstraditionen der Basotho und ihrer kulturellen Bedeutung.

📺 Alle Vorträge sind auf dem YouTube-Kanal von ICOS abrufbar:
YouTube ICOS

📌 Weitere Infos & vollständiges Programm: https://icosweb.net/onomastics-online/

Conference Report: Kolloquium Namenforschung Schweiz #13

 Title: "Namenforschung Schweiz: Quo vadis?"

Date: Friday, 11 April 2025
Venue: Bürgerasyl-Pfrundhaus Zürich, Kapelle, Leonhardstrasse 18, Zürich

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The 13th edition of the Kolloquium Namenforschung Schweiz brought together leading scholars and practitioners in the field of onomastics to explore the future of name studies in Switzerland. Held in the historic Kapelle of the Bürgerasyl-Pfrundhaus in Zürich, the one-day colloquium addressed the challenges and opportunities facing name researchers in a rapidly changing academic and data landscape.

The central question posed by the event - Quo vadis? - framed a series of presentations and discussions on how onomastic projects are maintained after funding ends, the role of universities in data preservation, the future of citizen science in name studies, and the potential of collaborative depositories like the Schweizerisches Idiotikon.

Morning Session Highlights:

After a welcome coffee and brief opening remarks in German, French, and Italian, the first part of the day focused on ongoing regional projects:

• Berner Namenbuch (University of Bern) and Solothurner Namenbuch (University of Basel) presented updates on their respective namebooks, showcasing digital approaches and local engagement.

• The Familiennamenatlas der Deutschschweiz highlighted innovations in surname mapping and interdisciplinary collaboration.

• Contributions from regional projects such as Tschiertschen-Praden, Vaud, and Obwalden emphasized the diverse linguistic and cultural layers in Swiss toponymy.

Afternoon Session Highlights:

Post-lunch, the colloquium resumed with reports from:

• The Aargauer Namenbuch, presented by This Fetzer on behalf of Philippe and Beatrice Hofmann, and the Luzerner Namenbuch continued the theme of regional documentation.

• In a reflective turn, Elia Ackermann, self-described "Aussteiger" (drop-out) from onomastics, offered a personal perspective on the professional limits of the field.

• Tobias Roth's presentation on the Schweizerisches Idiotikon underscored its relevance as a central depository for onomastic data in Switzerland.

Final Discussion and Conclusion:

The event concluded with a roundtable discussion addressing the pressing question: Does name research have a future in Switzerland — and if so, what kind? Participants voiced cautious optimism, advocating for sustainable structures, interdisciplinary alliances, and the empowerment of smaller, citizen-led projects.

The day ended with a guided tour of the Schweizerisches Idiotikon, offering participants a tangible sense of the legacy and continuity that the colloquium hopes to preserve and adapt for future generations.

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This 13th colloquium once again confirmed the vitality and diversity of Swiss onomastic research, even as it called for renewed vision and infrastructure to support the scholars behind the names.

Tagungsbericht: 13. Kolloquium Namenforschung Schweiz
Titel: „Namenforschung Schweiz: Quo vadis?“
Datum: Freitag, 11. April 2025
Ort: Bürgerasyl-Pfrundhaus Zürich, Kapelle, Leonhardstrasse 18, Zürich

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Das 13. Kolloquium Namenforschung Schweiz versammelte Wissenschaftlerinnen und Wissenschaftler sowie Praktikerinnen und Praktiker der Onomastik zu einem intensiven Austausch über Gegenwart und Zukunft der Namenforschung in der Schweiz. Unter dem programmatischen Titel „Quo vadis?“ stand die Frage im Zentrum, wie die Namenforschung im Spannungsfeld zwischen Projektfinanzierung, Datensicherung, öffentlicher Beteiligung und institutioneller Verankerung weiterentwickelt werden kann.

Vormittagssession: Projekte und Perspektiven

Nach einem einleitenden Kaffee und einer kurzen Begrüssung auf Deutsch, Französisch und Italienisch begann die Tagung mit einem Überblick über laufende Projekte:

• Das Berner Namenbuch (Universität Bern) sowie das Solothurner Namenbuch (Universität Basel) präsentierten ihre aktuellen Arbeiten, insbesondere im digitalen Bereich.

• Der Familiennamenatlas der Deutschschweiz zeigte innovative Kartierungsansätze und methodische Entwicklungen im Bereich der Siedlungs- und Namensgeschichte.

• Berichte aus weiteren Projekten wie Tschiertschen-Praden, Vaud und Obwalden unterstrichen die sprachliche und kulturelle Vielfalt der schweizerischen Namengeographie.

Nachmittagssession: Zwischen Wissenschaft und Praxis

Nach dem Mittagessen standen weitere regionale Namenbuch-Projekte im Fokus:

• Für das Aargauer Namenbuch berichtete This Fetzer stellvertretend für Philippe und Beatrice Hofmann.

• Das Luzerner Namenbuch stellte neue methodische Zugänge zur Diskussion.

• Mit einem persönlichen Beitrag zum „Aussteigen“ aus der Namenforschung reflektierte Elia Ackermann über die Grenzen der akademischen Karrierewege im Fach.

• Tobias Roth stellte die Rolle des Schweizerischen Idiotikons als zentrales Sammelbecken und Kooperationsplattform für die Namenforschung heraus.

Abschlussdiskussion: Hat die Namenforschung eine Zukunft?

In der abschließenden Diskussionsrunde ging es um die zentrale Frage: „Hat die Namenforschung in der Schweiz eine Zukunft – und wenn ja, welche?“ Die Beiträge zeigten eine vorsichtige Zuversicht, betonten aber die Notwendigkeit nachhaltiger Strukturen, neuer Allianzen und einer stärkeren institutionellen Rückbindung der Projekte.

Den Schlusspunkt setzte eine Führung durch das Schweizerische Idiotikon, das exemplarisch für die Verbindung von historischer Tiefe und digitaler Zugänglichkeit steht.

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Das 13. Kolloquium zeigte eindrucksvoll die Breite, Tiefe und Relevanz der Namenforschung in der Schweiz – und die dringende Notwendigkeit, ihr auch für die Zukunft tragfähige Wege zu sichern.

Ономастика саласының маңызы. Тіл жанашыры Бақыт Әбиірұлы

«Елге қызмет» бағдарламасының бүгінгі кейіпкері еңбек жолын 1986 жылы ұстаздықтан бастаған – Бақыт Әбиірұлы. Бүгінде ол Алматы қаласы әкімі аппаратының Тілдерді дамыту және ономастика бөлімінің басшысы болып қызмет атқаруда. Ол тіл саясатын жүзеге асыру, ономастика саласындағы жұмыстарды жүйелеу бағытында ауқымды еңбек етіп келеді. Ұзақ жылдар бойы жинаған мол тәжірибесін жас мамандарға үйретіп, мемлекеттік қызметтің абыройлы да жауапты саласында кейінгі буынға бағыт-бағдар беруде.

The featured guest of today’s "Serving the Nation" program is Baqyt Äbiıruly, who began his career in 1986 as a teacher. He is currently the Head of the Department for Language Development and Onomastics under the Office of the Mayor of Almaty. Over the years, he has made significant contributions to implementing language policy and systematizing work in the field of onomastics. Drawing on his extensive professional experience, he mentors young specialists and provides guidance to the next generation in this honorable and responsible sphere of public service.