Call for papers: Permanence, transformation, substitution and oblivion of geographical names

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The Romano-Hellenic Division (RHD) of the United Nations Group of Experts on Geographical Names (UNGEGN) announces its 3rd International Scientific Symposium focused on 

“Permanence, transformation, substitution and oblivion of geographical names”, 

in close cooperation with the Italian Geographic Military Institute and the Regional Council of Campania – Directorate General for the Government of the Territory.

 The event will be held in Napoli [Naples], Italia, from 22nd to 24th September 2021. Members of the UNGEGN, geographers, historians, linguists, planners and cartographers are cordially invited to take part in the symposium. Participation is free of charge. Language: English.

 Topics of the symposium are: 

• preservation of the toponymic heritage, 
• historical maps and toponymy, 
• genius loci and identity, 
• etymological studies, 
• place names of historical linguistic minorities, 
• vernacular place names, 
• new toponyms, 
• role of national and regional geographical names authorities.

 Announcements of papers and submissions of abstracts (max. 400 words – in English) may be e-mailed to the chairman of the RHD (see Registration form below) no later than May 30, 2021.

Extended abstracts should be e-mailed to the same addresses no later than June 29, 2021.

Scientific committee of the Symposium:

-       Andrea Cantile, Chair of the UNGEGN’s Romano-Hellenic Division and IGMI’s Commission for Italian Official Toponymy; University of Florence (Italia);

-       Simonetta Conti, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli” (Italia);

-       Monica Dumitrascu, Institute of Geography, Romanian Academy (Romania);

-       Peter Jordan, Austrian Academy of Sciences, Co-Convenor of the ICA-IGU Joint Commission on Toponymy (Austria);

-       Helen Kerfoot, Former Emeritus Scientist Natural Resources Canada, Honorary Chair of UNGEGN (Canada);

-       Cosimo Palagiano, Emeritus of Sapienza – University of Rome, Accademia dei Lincei, Co-Convenor of the ICA-IGU Joint Commission on Toponymy (Italia);

-       Domenico Proietti, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli” (Italia);

-       Annette C. Torensjö, Uppsala University, Convenor of the UNGEGN Working Group on Geographical Names as Cultural Heritage (Sverige).

Under the auspices of:

Italian Association of Geographers

Italian Association of Geography Teachers

Italian Cartographic Association

Italian Centre for Historical and Geographical Studies

Italian Geographical Society

Society of Geographical Studies (Italia).

Click here to download the application form

UNGEGN Scientific Symposium (October 2018, Brussels)

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Concept Note 

The approach to geographical names standardization varies from one country to another in terms of organization, principles, policies and procedures. According to the Manual for the National Standardization of Geographical Names (UNGEGN 2006), no method is better than another, provided each achieves the goal of establishing consistently written names that are nationally accepted and agree with the local and written usages. Where the standardization of geographical names used to be a top-down activity, an increasing number of political, social, economic and commercial actors seek power and influence in the standardization process. In a world where the concept of ‘one language, one people, one state’ is no longer valid, it is not always obvious which name forms are ‘nationally accepted’ and ‘agree with the local and written usages’. Changes in standardization processes present serious challenges which need to be addressed, regarding the use of geographical names within national, regional and global geospatial information frameworks.

This symposium seeks to share knowledge, experiences and thoughts on the role and importance of expert knowledge in all steps towards a standardized name, including the establishment of a national framework for standardization, the selection of name varieties for a given geographical feature, the determination of a written form, and the implementation, promotion and evaluation of authorized name forms to their implementation and integration in geospatial information management systems.

Acknowledging that the study of geographical names inevitably touches upon the fields of both onomastics and geography, and may include elements of social and other sciences, the theme of the symposium invites participants to critically explore and broaden the understanding of expert knowledge in the context of geographical names standardization. An important aim of the symposium is to enlighten conflicting views and interests in the standardization process today and to discuss how these can be managed and balanced. Presentations scrutinizing the relationship between expert knowledge and local community knowledge are especially welcomed.

The theme of the symposium raises questions such as: What is considered ‘expert knowledge’ in the context of geographical names standardization? How can expert knowledge be gathered and facilitated? How are the experts identified and selected? How can expert knowledge be secured, developed and adjusted in the future?

Topics that may be discussed are:

• Crowdsourcing and local participation in the standardization process 
• Quality assurance and securement of toponymic data collection 
• Access to and utilization of expert knowledge in the production of maps and atlases 
• Experiences and reflections on the standardization of indigenous and minority group geographical names 
• The influence of private and commercial companies on geographical name usage; how can we facilitate collaboration? 
• Increased commodification of geographical names; the use of geographical names in different branding and promotional strategies 
• The importance of pronunciation and vocal names registration for speech technology

Registration

To participate in this event and wish to register please contact Jasper Hogerwerf at Jasper.Hogerwerf@kadaster.nl. Please note that registration closes on 5 th September 2018.

For any further enquiry, please feel free to contact one of the members of the organizing committee: - Ingvil Nordland – ingvil.nordland@nmbu.no , Peder Gammeltoft – peder.gammeltoft@uib.no , Tjeerd Tichelaar – t.tichelaar@noordhoff.nl, Jean-Yves Pirlot – jean-yves.pirlot@ngi.be or Jasper Hogerwerf - Jasper.Hogerwerf@kadaster.nl