Photo: Efraimstochter on Pixabay
Seventh International Symposium on Place Names 2023
The presence of minority and indigenous languages in urban naming
26–29 September 2023
University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa
Click here to download a PDF containing information below, as well as additional information.
The Department of South African Sign Language and Deaf Studies at the University of the Free State (RSA), in partnership with the Joint IGU/ICA Commission on Toponymy, is pleased to announce the next biennial international symposium on place names, in conjunction with a related virtual workshop.
Urban place names, ie the names of streets, squares and other intra-urban structures, contain cultural and symbolic value and reflect political power. They can be descriptive such as when they indicate direction, a landmark or the function of a structure; they can be commemorative, reminding of persons, institutions or events; or neutral when numbered or bearing the names of flowers, birds, or planets. They serve as markers of the spatial relationship between humans, groups of humans, and all that encompasses the urban landscape. From the 19th century onward, commemorative naming has been especially affected by political changes that had caused waves of renamings and had a significant impact on the urban linguistic landscape. With the theme for this symposium we wish to explore issues around formal as well as informal urban naming. We need to consider what it means to name shared spaces, what roles these names play in social dynamics, and how these names can be managed. Papers with a focus on minority and indigenous names, including sign languages, are encouraged in particular.
Potential subtopics
Only a limited number of papers can be accommodated, as all sessions will be plenary. Abstracts (250 words) can be submitted by 30 May 2023 to Dr Chrismi Loth at kongresETFB@ufs.ac.za in the following (but not limited to) categories of research:
- The occurrence of minority and indigenous urban names, whether or not officially recognised (including signed names)
- The significance of these languages in urban landscapes
- Processes of urban naming, especially those that include marginalised languages
- The rate of change of urban names, and the implications thereof (whether official or on grassroots level)
- National, municipal, and other regulations regarding urban naming.
- Best practices in urban naming
- Other dimensions of urban place names: administrative, commercial and/or economic, cultural and historical/commemorative, physical, political, and linguistic
Keynote speakers
- Prof Myriam Vermeerbergen (KU Leuven, Belgium)
- Prof Thapelo J Otlogetswe (University of Botswana, Botswana)
About the venue
The symposium will be held face-to-face on the Bloemfontein campus of the University of the Free State (RSA). The workshop will be hosted virtually.
Organising Committee
- Host: Prof Annalene van Staden (University of the Free State, RSA)
- Coordinator: Dr Chrismi Loth (University of the Free State, RSA)
- Resident members:
- Prof Theodorus du Plessis (University of the Free State, RSA)
- Dr Lucie A Möller (University of the Free State, RSA)
- Joint IGU/ICA Commission on Toponymy:
- IGU Chair: Prof Cosimo Palagiano (Sapienza University of Rome, Italy)
- ICA Chair: Dr Matjaž Geršič (Anton Melik Geographical Institute, Slovenia)
- ICA Past Chair: Prof Peter Jordan (Austrian Academy of Sciences, Austria / University of the Free State, RSA)
- Common Vice-Chair: Prof Paulo Márcio Leal de Menezes (Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)
- Member of the Steering Board: Prof Peter E Raper (University of the Free State, RSA)
Scientific Panel
- Prof Theodorus du Plessis (University of the Free State, RSA)
- Prof Peter Jordan (Austrian Academy of Sciences, Austria / University of the Free State, RSA)
- Prof ‘Maboleba Kolobe (National University of Lesotho, Lesotho)
- Prof Paulo Márcio Leal de Menezes (Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)
- Prof Cosimo Palagiano (Sapienza University of Rome, Italy)
- Dr Matjaž Geršič (Anton Melik Geographical Institute, Slovenia)
- Dr Petrus Angula Mbenzi (University of Namibia, Namibia)
- Dr Boga Manatsha (University of Botswana, Botswana)
- Dr Sambulo Ndlovu (Great Zimbabwe University, Zimbabwe)
Important dates
- Abstract submissions open: 27 February 2023
- Abstracts deadline: 30 May 2023
- Feedback from Scientific Panel: 21 June 2023
- Registrations open: 30 May 2023
- Registrations close: 20 August 2023
- Proof of payment deadline: 20 August 2023
Registration fees
To be announced. Includes meals (as indicated in the draft programme), the conference dinner and access to the virtual ISPN workshop. Does not include the conference excursion or virtual Afrilex workshop.
Language of the symposium and workshop
English, with professional South African Sign Language interpreting available. Please indicate requirement for SASL interpreting with registration.
Publication
Depending on the number and quality of papers an accredited publication in our regular conference proceedings series will be considered.
This is a face-to-face event, and only in-person presentations will be accepted. Only papers presented at the symposium may be submitted for the proceedings.
Queries can be directed to Dr Chrismi Loth at kongresETFB@ufs.ac.za.
ISPN 2023 is hosted concurrently (but separately) with Afrilex 2023. For more information on the latter, please contact Dr Chrismi Loth at kongresETFB@ufs.ac.za.
The Society of South African Geographers’ Annual Conference will be hosted 2–4 October 2023 on the QwaQwa campus of the University of the Free State: https://ssag2023.org.za/.