Namenkundliche Informationen (NI) (E-Journal)
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Book review of Sam Mersch, Studies in Luxembourgish Micro-Toponymy and Linguistic History
No full textSam Mersch, Studies in Luxembourgish Micro-Toponymy and Linguistic History. Phonology, Morphology, Syntax and Lexical Studies. Regensburger Studien zur Namenforschung Bd. 13. Regensburg: edition vulpes 2023. 545 S. – ISBN 978–3–939112–36–5, Preis: EUR 52,00.Sam Mersch, Studies in Luxembourgish Micro-Toponymy and Linguistic History. Phonology, Morphology, Syntax and Lexical Studies. Regensburger Studien zur Namenforschung Bd. 13. Regensburg: edition vulpes 2023. 545 S. – ISBN 978–3–939112–36–5, Preis: EUR 52,00
Linguistic research – Historic paths research – Settlement research
No full textUsing an interdisciplinary approach, this article aims to clarify a number of settlement names that have thus far been fraught with contradictions in the scholarly literature. These are oikonyms of Slavic origin in SW Saxony. Today they are place names of settlements that were established during the period of German rule towards the end of the 12th century. However, the linguistic formsof these oikonyms, which always have the same structure [anthroponym + possessive suffix], point to Slavic formations from the 9th/10th century. A person was named as the individual owner of an estate, a settlement, i. e. probably a farmstead. A comparison with several other onyms of this type in the region shows that they are all located along the early medieval old paths in the former mountain forest. It is now considered for the first time that these could have been early rest and protection stations along the semitae Bohemicae from the Slavic old settlement areas to Bohemia. The distances of 20 to 25 km, which was a day’s journey at that time, are consistent with this view. In the 12th century, German villages were establishedvery close to each other. The Slavic oikonyms were transferred to these as already known onyms. Hence, for the first time, individual Slavic settlements can be identified in the Erzgebirge from the period before German rule began in 929 AD
Names of prominent trees – case studies from the Francophone and Hispanophone language areas
No full textThis study explores a class of names which has been neglected in onomastic research so far: proper names for trees in French- and Spanish-speaking regions. The analysis is based on a corpus compiled using an online database of prominent trees, characterized by exceptional age, height, shape, or circumference. The aim is to investigate both the structural features of dendronyms and the motivations for naming. The results reveal that a significant number of these names are generic proper names such as Chêne des Sorcières (‘Witch’s Oak’). However, anthropomorphizations like El Abuelo (‘The Grandfather’) can also be observed. The naming motivations are diverse; in addition to intrinsic attributes such as the tree’s age or location, commemorative aspects can also play a central role (e. g. Chêne Napoléon ‘Napoleon Oak’)
Notes on the problem of explanations of the place name (component) Büttel/-büttel
No full textThis article examines the explanations for the place name (component) -büttel/Büttel presented to date and concludes that it is still not possible to derive the name (component) without contradiction or without the assumption of analogical processes. The older derivations are presented at the current level of historical (comparative) linguistics and the traditional possibilities of linkage are retraced, but even the knowledge gained in the last two decades or so does not help to solve the problem. At least some ambiguities surrounding -büttel/Büttel can be clarified.This article examines the explanations for the place name (component) -büttel/Büttel presented to date and concludes that it is still not possible to derive the name (component) without contradiction or without the assumption of analogical processes. The older derivations are presented at the current level of historical (comparative) linguistics and the traditional possibilities of linkage are retraced, but even the knowledge gained in the last two decades or so does not help to solve the problem. At least some ambiguities surrounding -büttel/Büttel can be clarified
Palatalisation of CA north of the Brenner Pass?
No full textLudwig Staub (1854) introduced the assumption that the Western Romance palatalization of CA is also attested in some Germanized toponyms north of the Brenner Pass. Karl Finsterwalder initially took up this idea, and his successors have since then retained it. The assumption is based on double etymologies, especially the explanation of some toponyms coming from Latin caverna. Similarly, the name of the mountain meadow Schifernei, together with Tschifernelle in the Silvretta, is explained like this, but there is also a mountain farm, Tschübernäll, in the canton of Schwyz, and a Romance expression tschifernällä in the German dialect of the canton of Uri for a board used in a game. This expression is a more probable explanation for Tschübernäll and Tschifernella, and possibly also for Schifernei, albeit with another suffix. It is likely ultimately derived from medieval Latin civeria for a means of transporting goods, especially a basket carried on one’s shoulders. Schiferoi, down in the lower Inn valley, may also be derived from this expression. Falschwern (Gschnitztal) for a steep ravine is almost certainly a *val cibāria like Val Tschafera in Grisons. Five toponyms in the neighbouring Stubai valley are no more reliable as evidence for a palatalized CA. The farm name Tschafalles is better explained through Latin iugālis instead of caballus (Steub 1854), Tschafatten perhaps by Ladin ciavāt, Gschnals certainly by Latin vicinālis. Kuh- and Stiergschwätz is probably an entirely German nickname. The farm name Tschafernack and the valley Tschaforn in South Tyrol also have nothing to do with caverna: The first has counterparts in Germany, especially a vineyard estate, ze Shavernakken, already being attested around 1200. The second, 1343 Schufaren, is better explained by Latin iugārius.Ludwig Staub (1854) introduced the assumption that the Western Romance palatalization of CA is also attested in some Germanized toponyms north of the Brenner Pass. Karl Finsterwalder initially took up this idea, and his successors have since then retained it. The assumption is based on double etymologies, especially the explanation of some toponyms coming from Latin caverna. Similarly, the name of the mountain meadow Schifernei, together with Tschifernelle in the Silvretta, is explained like this, but there is also a mountain farm, Tschübernäll, in the canton of Schwyz, and a Romance expression tschifernällä in the German dialect of the canton of Uri for a board used in a game. This expression is a more probable explanation for Tschübernäll and Tschifernella, and possibly also for Schifernei, albeit with another suffix. It is likely ultimately derived from medieval Latin civeria for a means of transporting goods, especially a basket carried on one’s shoulders. Schiferoi, down in the lower Inn valley, may also be derived from this expression. Falschwern (Gschnitztal) for a steep ravine is almost certainly a *val cibāria like Val Tschafera in Grisons. Five toponyms in the neighbouring Stubai valley are no more reliable as evidence for a palatalized CA. The farm name Tschafalles is better explained through Latin iugālis instead of caballus (Steub 1854), Tschafatten perhaps by Ladin ciavāt, Gschnals certainly by Latin vicinālis. Kuh- and Stiergschwätz is probably an entirely German nickname. The farm name Tschafernack and the valley Tschaforn in South Tyrol also have nothing to do with caverna: The first has counterparts in Germany, especially a vineyard estate, ze Shavernakken, already being attested around 1200. The second, 1343 Schufaren, is better explained by Latin iugārius
Rezension zu Petra Ewald, Inge Bily (Hg.), Inoffizielle Eigennamen – Onomastische Studien
No full textPetra Ewald, Inge Pohl (Hg.), Inoffizielle Eigennamen – Onomastische Studien. Berlin-Boston: Peter Lang 2024 (= Reihe Sprache – System und Tätigkeit, Band 76), 444 S. – ISBN: 9783631901588, Preis: 89,95 EUR (DE)
The linguistic-historical significance of the field name variants in the Heppenheim Mark descriptions
No full textAmong the surviving early medieval boundary descriptions from the German-speaking area, descriptions that are preserved in two versions are relatively rare. These include the two descriptions of the Mark Heppenheim, in which the majority of the field names mentioned as boundary points are identical, even though some names have different spellings. Although interpretations of these names exist, there is no comprehensive study of the name variants. In this article, the field name variants from the Heppenheim descriptions are therefore first described linguistically with regard to their graphic, phonic, semantic and morphological characteristics, and then explained from a linguistic-historical perspective. Several possible explanations suggest themselves for the name variants, most of which can apply simultaneously: In some cases, it is purely written variation, but in most cases there are influences from more recent language stages and/or regional varieties. Latin-Romance interference is also possible, but uncertain. It is also noticeable that the first and older description contains more recent forms of the names, while the second, more recent description contains older forms.Among the surviving early medieval boundary descriptions from theGerman-speaking area, descriptions that are preserved in two versions are relativelyrare. These include the two descriptions of the Mark Heppenheim, in whichthe majority of the field names mentioned as boundary points are identical, eventhough some names have different spellings. Although interpretations of theseNamenkundliche Informationen 116 © 2024 is licensed under CC BY 4.0Flurnamenvarianten in den Heppenheimer Markbeschreibungen25names exist, there is no comprehensive study of the name variants. In this article,the field name variants from the Heppenheim descriptions are therefore first de-scribed linguistically with regard to their graphic, phonic, semantic and morpho-logical characteristics, and then explained from a linguistic-historical perspective.Several possible explanations suggest themselves for the name variants, most ofwhich can apply simultaneously: In some cases, it is purely written variation, butin most cases there are influences from more recent language stages and/or regio-nal varieties. Latin-Romance interference is also possible, but uncertain. It is alsonoticeable that the first and older description contains more recent forms of thenames, while the second, more recent description contains older forms
Socio-cognitive onomastics and mobility: Names for (groups of) people in Malacca and Macau
No full textThis article explores terms for individuals and groups, such as ethnonyms, in a multilingual context shaped by mobility: the former Portuguese overseas empire or Estado da Índia, particularly the harbour cities of Malacca and Macau. The focus lies on a historical analysis with a scope from the early 16th to mid-20th century. From the standpoint of Cognitive Linguistics, the analysis revealed a gradient transition between ethnonyms (and sometimes glottonyms) and class labels. Practices for naming a colonial Other rely on conventional lexemes applied metaphorically and metonymically to new social actors. Often, these practices are strategies of conscious distinction between one’s in-group and the out-group. Furthermore, perceptions of colonial Others encompass prejudices regarding their language use, which affects one’s own language choice in cross-lingual interactions. The etymological analysis presented here emphasises the relevance of contextual life-worlds, as seemingly synonymous designations for people may entail disparate semantics.]This article explores terms for individuals and groups, such as ethnonyms, in a multilingual context shaped by mobility: the former Portuguese overseas empire or Estado da Índia, particularly the harbour cities of Malacca and Macau. The focus lies on a historical analysis with a scope from the early 16th to mid-20th century. From the standpoint of Cognitive Linguistics, the analysis revealed a gradient transition between ethnonyms (and sometimes glottonyms) and class labels. Practices for naming a colonial Other rely on conventional lexemes applied metaphorically and metonymically to new social actors. Often, these practices are strategies of conscious distinction between one’s in-group and the out-group. Furthermore, perceptions of colonial Others encompass prejudices regarding their language use, which affects one’s own language choice in cross-lingual interactions. The etymological analysis presented here emphasises the relevance of contextual life-worlds, as seemingly synonymous designations for people may entail disparate semantics.
Common surname areas: Austria and the Czech Republic
No full textOver many centuries, family name areas developed across borders between the Archduchy of Austria and the Kingdom of Bohemia. While historical events destroyed any trace of some of these areas, other can, at least to some extent, still be detected. Some of these areas were destroyed by historical events, while others are still extant or can be traced in remnants. These are illustrated and interpreted using distribution maps from KdeJsme and Geogen Austria. Three types of areas are shown:(1) small-scale areas that extend across both sides of the national border (examples Putschögl/Pučegl, Jungbauer)(2) areas that extend from south to north across the state border (examples Binder/ Pinter, Draxler/Traxler)(3) areas that extend from north to south across the state border (example Doležal).Over many centuries, family name areas developed across borders between the Archduchy of Austria and the Kingdom of Bohemia. While historical events destroyed any trace of some of these areas, other can, at least to some extent, still be detected. Some of these areas were destroyed by historical events, while others are still extant or can be traced in remnants. These are illustrated and interpreted using distribution maps from KdeJsme and Geogen Austria. Three types of areas are shown:(1) small-scale areas that extend across both sides of the national border (examples Putschögl/Pučegl, Jungbauer)(2) areas that extend from south to north across the state border (examples Binder/ Pinter, Draxler/Traxler)(3) areas that extend from north to south across the state border (example Doležal)
The Swiss surname portal familiennamen.ch
No full textThis article examines the possibilities for using the familiennamen.ch portal, which is hosted by the Swiss Idiotikon (the Swiss German dictionary). Based on features compiled by the dictionary editors for Swiss Radio SRF, it links various sources relevant to family name research in German-speaking Switzerland. As a dynamic portal, it can not only be used for academic research on surnames, but can also be used to answer questions from laypeople about their own surnames and provide references to non-anonymous historical sources