ICA course on Toponymy

This module will answer the following questions:

What is language planning?
What is the role of language planning of names?
What is the role of geographical names in language planning?

What aspects of geographical names or naming of topographic elements/objects can be improved by language planning? In many cases this is related to Name changes, but it also applies to regions devoid of names, or to changes in spelling rules instead of name changes.

I - Name changes due to:

A) Decolonization (purification of foreign influences)
B) Restoration of minority names (id)
C) Mergers of municipalities

II - Ordering geographical space

D) Ordering geographical space: naming of seas
E) Giving names to future objects in reclaimed areas (polders, newly opened up areas (Brazil, Indonesia-transmigrasi))
F) Urban street naming
G) Commemorative policies. Example: Svalbard: toponymical shrine

III - Changing orthography

H) Application of new spelling rules
I) Opting for new attitudes (e.g. endonyms instead of exonyms)

IV - Necessary technical assistance of name changes: concordance of signposts, place name signs and maps