UNITED NATIONS GROUP OF EXPERTS ON GEOGRAPHICAL NAMES IInnffoorrmmaattiioonn BBuulllleettiinn

NUMBER 44 May 2013

United Nations Group of Experts on Inside this issue: Geographical Names Information Bulletin (ISSN 1014-798) is published by United . Preface Nations Statistics Division, Department of Economic and Social Affairs. Message from the Chairperson 3 The designations employed and the . From the Secretariat presentation of the material in this publication do not imply the expression of Message from the Secretariat 4 any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Secretariat of the United Nations concerning . From the Divisions the legal status of any country, territory, city or area, or of its authorities or concerning the Baltic Division and Norden Division 5 delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. South West Pacific Division 6 Previous issues of the Bulletin (formerly . From the Working Groups Newsletter) can be found at

Working Group on Evaluation and Implementation 7 http://unstats.un.org/unsd/geoinfo/ungegn_in Working Group on Exonyms 7 fo_bulletins.htm Working Group on Toponymic Data Files and Gazetteers 10 Working Group on Training Courses in Toponymy 11 Working Group on Geographical. Names as Cultural Heritage 13 ICA/IGU Working Group/Commission on Toponymy 14 Task Team for Africa 15

. From the Countries

Brazil 18 Bulgaria 19 Burkina Faso 20 Cape Verde 21 Kenya 23 Sri Lanka 26 Tunisia 27

. Upcoming Meetings of Groups Associated with Geographical Names 33 U N G E G N The Information Bulletin of the United Tel: 212 963 4297 U N G E G N Nations Group of Experts on Fax: 212 963 4569 Geographical Names (formerly E-mail: IInformation UNGEGN Newsletter) is issued [email protected] twice a year by the Secretariat of the [email protected] BBulletin Group. The Secretariat is established within the Statistics Division (UNSD), Department for Economic and (formerly NEWSLETTER) f Social Affairs (DESA), Secretariat of

the United Nations. It publishes contributions/reports from the Experts of the Group, its Linguistic/ Geographical Divisions and its Working Groups. Contributions for the Information Bulletin can only be considered when they are made available in digital form. They should be sent to the following address:

Secretariat of the Group of Experts on Geographical Names (UNGEGN) Room DC2-1682 United Nations New York, NY 10017 USA

2 Preface

Message from the Chairperson

Dear colleagues, would also be of great interest, even is no solution is as yet evident. We will also be I can advise that planning for the 28th dividing the papers into those for information Session of UNGEGN is well underway and only and those that are to be presented and my thanks to the Secretariat for their work so discussed. far. As normal, they do a wonderful job on our behalf. Future Events

As we consider the papers and reports A combined meeting of the Working that we will present at this session, I would Groups on Publicity and Funding, and like to encourage all delegates to be aware of Evaluation will be held in June in Seoul, the technical focus of the work of UNGEGN Korea. There may some issues that will be and structure reports that deal with issues in raised that will be of interest to all delegations. this manner rather than focus on political I will report on this in the next bulletin. distractions. UNGEGN does not have mandate so provide solutions to any issue, technical of I have been invited as the Chair of political, but is aimed at providing a forum UNGEGN to be involved in the International were best practice solutions to the technical Conference of Geography and Environment, issues can be presented, emerging issues Mexico City, October 2013 in two place discussed and directions planned. names sessions to be held during the conference. Again, I will report on the I am particularly interested to hear outcomes following the Conference. from any experts that have investigated further such issues as volunteer geographic Bill Watt information (crowd sourcing) and the effective UNGEGN Chair integration of place names data in with wider Australia spatial data world. Any report of new issues Email: [email protected]

3

News from the Secretariat

Message from the Secretariat

Dear Experts, (http://unstats.un.org/unsd/geoinfo/UNGEGN/ docs/_data_ICAcourses/index.html). Over the past few months, we have further explored the possibility of holding the As usual, I would like to encourage 28th Session in 2014 in . While the you to use our UNGEGN website and let us Economic and Social Council in general terms know if you have and suggestions on how to approved to hold the next UNGEGN Session improve it. Over the next few weeks we will in 2014 “preferably in Bangkok”, we still need also send out our annual request to Divisions final approval on actual dates and venue from and Working Groups to update their online the Council. The Council will deliberate such material, if they have not done so in recent date and venue in late July during its months. Similarly, if you see gaps in our substantive session. The concrete proposal online availability of Session documents and before the Council will be to hold the 28th think you can help filling them, we would Session 5-9 May 2014 in Bangkok. We are of very much appreciate you contacting us. course working closely with the UNGEGN chair and will inform you of the Council’s On that note, I would also like to decision. encourage you to send us any (scanned) photos that you have from earlier sessions and We are also happy to inform you that conferences so we can expand our photo the Secretariat is supporting the upcoming gallery. Photos can be from official meetings, UNGEGN Training Workshop in Madagascar side events, excursions or simply social with funding three experts as well as gatherings. We look forward to receiving your participants from five countries. We have also photos and stories behind the photos! shipped training material to Antananarivo, where the course will be held 17-21 June 2013 under Mr. Ormeling’s leadership. Sabine Warschburger UNGEGN Secretariat Due to continued popularity of E-Mail: [email protected] UNGEGN publications our stocks have run low for a few publications. In the process of getting the some publications reprinted, the Glossary will be getting a bit of a facelift, by getting a new cover and getting the addendum properly integrating in the printed version. Of course, all UNGEGN publications and brochures are also available online. Newly available on our website is also the UNGEGN-ICA webcourse on Toponymy, first released in July last year

4

From the Divisions

Baltic Division and Norden Division

Seminar on data integration Papers will be limited to 20 minutes The Baltic Division and the Norden Division presentation plus 10 minutes for discussion. of UNGEGN in collaboration with the UNGEGN Working Group on Toponymic Deadlines: For those wishing to present a Data Files and Gazetteers will organize a one- paper, please send a short title and a summary day seminar on 19 September 2013 in (about 300 words) of your paper to Peder Tallinn, Estonia entitled Integration of Gammeltoft ([email protected]) and onomastic data into geo-spatial Peeter Päll ([email protected]) by 1 May infrastructure 2013. For those wishing to participate only, please send us an e-mail before 1 June 2013. The main aim of the seminar is to provide a In both instances please include your contact forum to discuss how one can better integrate data: full name, e-mail address, name of the the resources that onomasticians (or more institution, etc. The decision whether the broadly linguists) have gathered, into the paper will be accepted will be made by an main national infrastructures dealing with evaluation team (Peder Gammeltoft, Peeter spatial data. Integration is always a two-way Päll, Pier-Giorgio Zaccheddu) by 1 June process, therefore also papers should be 2013, and the participants will be informed expected where cartographers, geo- about that in the 2nd Circular. informatics, etc. could propose their solutions for better integration. Specific sub-topics Participants will be expected to arrange their could include (but should not be limited to) travel and accommodation independently. For more information please visit  digitizing and georeferencing of http://www.tourism.tallinn.ee/eng. onomastic datasets (incl. unique identifier management); In questions regarding visa arrangements you  using mobile units (smartphones, tablets can contact the Place Names Board of Estonia and phablets) as tools for collecting place (Tõnis Rüütel, names (crowdsourcing). [email protected] or via Peeter Päll, [email protected]). Although the seminar is organized within the framework of the divisional meetings of the two divisions on 18 September, it is open to Peder Gammeltoft all interested participants. Additionally there Chair of Norden Division will be an excursion to an onomastically Email: [email protected] interesting region in Estonia on 20 September (to be specified yet). There is no subscription Peter Päll fee for the seminar but there might be a fee Email: [email protected] for the excursion. More details will be sent in a 2nd circular in June 2013 to all participants.

5 South West Pacific Division

This is the first report for this new division formed at the last UNGEGN session, and as such should be seen as a preliminary report outlining the directions planned for the near future.

As yet the chair of the division is not determined, however, Australia and New Zealand will share the initial responsibilities. It is proposed that an information pack will be created for each of the other identified countries, using the UNGEGN publications and any other relevant information as well as a proposed meeting schedule and agenda outline. This will be sent to the countries, possible in multiple copies if a single source of contact cannot be determined.

Approaches are being made to determine if funding is available to assist the less developed nation to attend the divisional meetings, which are proposed to be held in conjunction with the annual Committee for Geographical Names in Australasia meeting.

Bill Watt

E-Mail: [email protected]

6

From the Working Groups

Working Group on Evaluation and Implementation

As follow-ups the 10th UNCSGN in 2012, The next meeting of the Working Group has two progresses have been made within the been scheduled, jointly with the Working framework of the Working Group on Group on Publicity and Funding, at the NGII Evaluation and Implementation. First, the in the City of Suwon, Republic of Korea, on twelve resolutions adopted at the Tenth July 4-6, 2013. Current working conditions Conference have been added to the and procedures of UNGEGN will be UNCSGN resolutions database. The reviewed and suggestions for improving its websites for this database are hosted by the tasks will be made at this meeting. A National Geographic Information Institute specific focus will also be placed on (NGII) of the Republic of Korea at: evaluating the implementation of http://www.land.go.kr/ungegn (English) and resolutions, as discussed at the previous http://www.land.go.kr/portal/ungn/mainFre. meeting in New York held in conjunction do (French), which are also linked through with the 10th Conference. the UNGEGN website at: http://unstats.un.org/unsd/geoinfo/ungegn/co nfGeneral.html. Second, results of the Sungjae CHOO questionnaire survey circulated to evaluate Convenor, Working Group on Evaluation the Conference have been analyzed and and Implementation ready for a review. Collecting and coding of E-mail: [email protected] the survey was supported by the UNGEGN Secretariat.

Working Group on Exonyms

14th Meeting, Working Group on Preliminary programme: Exonyms, , Greece, 23-25 May 2013 Opening (in conjunction with a meeting of the WG on Toponymic Terminology) Session 1: The Great Divide – comprehensive approaches (Chair: Peter Venue: Corfu City, Greece, Saint Michael JORDAN, Austria) & Saint George Palace / Pinacotheca  WOODMAN, Paul (United Kingdom): The scope of activities of the UNGEGN Working Group on

7 Exonyms, and the definitions of Session 3: Exonyms – documentation and use (Chair: Sungjae CHOO, Republic of  JORDAN, Peter (Austria): Arguments Korea) for new definitions of endonym and  SABBĀR, Halīm (United Kingdom): exonym Toponymic change in Nubia with a  NYSTRÖM, Staffan (Sweden): focus on imposition from the outside Endonym and exonym: basically  KLADNIK, Drago; GERŠIČ, Matjaž linguistic concepts after all? (Slovenia): A gazetteer of Slovenian  MATTHEWS, Philip (New Zealand): exonyms Endonyms and exonyms: New  CREŢAN, Remus (Romania): South- definitions Danubian place names reflected in  BATLLE, Maria del Mar (Spain): Theodor Capidan’s seminal works Comparing approaches in the  STANI-FERTL, Roman (Austria): The definition of endonym and exonym list of selected rd  CHOO, Sungjae (Republic of Korea): exonyms – 3 edition The matter of “reading” in the  CEKULA, Zane (Latvia): Use of place exonym discussions names on maps in the border area  HELLELAND, Botolv (Norway): Why with Russia: The territory of former Hellas in Norway and Grekland in Abrene Sweden?  WOODMAN, Paul (United Kingdom):  MANDOLA, Malgorzata (France, Endonyms and exonyms in the ‘Near Poland): Reflexions about endonym Abroad’: The role of the Russian and exonym as proper place names language in the toponymy of  BUŠS, Ojārs (Latvia): Two kinds of Kazakhstan exonyms – two kinds of  PAIKKALA, Sirkka (Finland): The classification problems new gazetteer of and its use of the terms endonym and Session 2: The great divide – specific exonym aspects (Chair: Paul WOODMAN, United Kingdom) General discussion on new definitions of  TANABE, Hiroshi; WATANABE, endonym and exonym (Chair: Peter Kohei (Japan): A reflection on names JORDAN, Austria) of large seas  ZAGÓRSKI, Bogusław R. (Poland): Common bus excursion to historical sites Some problems of exonym use in at the island of Corfu  BELL, Herman (United Kingdom): Meeting of the UNGEGN Working Group The Great Divide from a Nubian on Toponymic Terminology (Chair: Staffan perspective NYSTRÖM, Sweden)  MIKESY, Gábor (Hungary): Historical, revived or new names? Problems of exonym use from Hungarian toponymic aspects Peter JORDAN Convenor, Working Group on Exonyms  ZYCH, Maciej (Poland): Country names in Polish as an example of E-mail: [email protected] using exonyms and endonyms

8 The Great Toponymic Divide. Reflections on  BUŠS, Ojārs (Latvia): On some the definitions and usage of endonyms and possibilities for a more exact exonyms, ed. by Paul WOODMAN, published by definition of exonyms the Head Office of Geodesy and Cartography,  WOODMAN, Paul (United Kingdom): Warszawa 2012, ISBN 978-83-254-1967-7, Endonyms, exonyms and language 302 p. boundaries: A clarification  ZYCH, Maciej (Poland): Definition of The book contains papers presented at the th ‘exonym’ in the context of the new 12 Meeting of the UNGEGN Working list of Group on Exonyms in Gdańsk, Poland, in  BELL, Herman (United Kingdom): May 2012. The papers deal with the Nubian perceptions of exonyms and endonym/exonym divide (“The Great endonyms Toponymic Divide”), exonym analysis and  SABBĀR, Halīm (United Kingdom): usage, endonyms and exonyms in minority Numbers of geographical names in language environments, and an Nubia: Endonyms or exonyms? endonym/exonym illustration from history.  WOODMAN, Paul (United Kingdom):

Toponymic expression: Endonyms Running as a thread through many of the and exonyms in speech, writing and papers is the suggestion that, even after ten reading years and twelve sessions, the Working

Group remains not entirely certain as to the Section 2: Exonym analysis and usage optimum definitions of the terms ‘endonym’  MANDOLA, Malgorzata (Poland): and ‘exonym’. This admission may come as French exonyms for Polish toponyms a surprise, but it is an apt reflection of the relative novelty and sheer complexity of this  POKOLY, Béla (Hungary): Trends in most challenging of subjects. exonym use: Selected exonyms of the Having considered the contributions in this  BATLLE, Maria del Mar (Spain): volume, the reader may well form the What is an endonym in Spain? opinion that fine-tuning the present UN  ZAGÓRSKI, Bogusław R. (Poland): definitions into a durable form ought to Polish exonyms for the Arab world: constitute the main focus of activity for the How they come and go; what Working Group in the near future. appears to stay  CRLJENKO, Ivana (Croatia): Contents: Geographical feature importance as a criterion for exonym selection: Section 1: The endonym/exonym divide Croatian examples  WOODMAN, Paul (United Kingdom):  BOHÁČ, Pavel (Czech Republic): The naming process: Societal Names of European spatial features acceptance and the endonym within the List of Czech Exonyms definition  JORDAN, Peter (Austria): Towards a Section 3: Minority toponyms comprehensive view at the  BARTOS-ELEKES, Zsombor endonym/exonym divide (Romania): Minority toponyms in  MATTHEWS, Philip (New Zealand): Romania Endonyms, exonyms and seas

9  MÁNDOKI, Mónika; DUTKÓ, András Thanks to the generosity of the Polish Head (Hungary): Slovak names of Office of Geodesy and Cartography the settlements in Hungary book is available free of charge. Should you  WOLNICZ-PAWŁOWSKA, Ewa; ZYCH, be interested to receive a copy, please Maciej (Poland): Place names in approach Peter Jordan minority languages in Poland ([email protected]).

Section 4: Endonyms, exonyms and an illuration from history Peter JORDAN and Paul WOODMAN  WOODMAN, Paul (United Kingdom): E-mail: [email protected] Toponymy in a landscape of [email protected] aggression: Geographical names in National Socialist Germany

Working Group on Toponymic Data Files and Gazetteers

Updates on the new tasks addressed to the commenced on these three issues mentioned WG within the 10th UNCSGN before.

Within the 10th UNCSGN (conference and Some UNGEGN experts as well as other side events) three new tasks/issues were experts for the respective topics have been proposed and afterwards added to the registered and started to comment and to “Scope of work” and to the “Work plan” of extend the content of the Wiki “rooms” / the WG TDFG respectively. pages respectively.

Regarding the methods to be used to start actions the set up of a discussion forum within the website was agreed by the WG. Three separate Wiki “rooms” / pages for these specific topics has been created and initial documents has been uploaded to it:

Forum 1 - discussing the topic “volunteered geographic information (VGI)/crowd-sourcing”

Fig.1: Discussing the question “What is your Forum 2 - discussing the topic definitions understanding about the term ‘gazetteer’?” as part of for gazetteers and data types forum 2 ‘definitions for gazetteers and data types’

Forum 3 - discussing the topic general feature types/categories

For the time being, the discussion forum has been already utilized and investigations

10 It is obvious that tackling these new and quite complex issues needs more contributions by the WG members and by other UNGEGN experts.

Volunteers from UNGEGN are most welcome to provide content and further initial documents.

If you are interested in contributing to these issues, please contact the convenor of the Fig.2: Discussing the question “Is the information WG or the moderators for the respective received considered to be reliable and what are the main methods of quality control?” as part of forum 1 topics mentioned on the webpage of the ‘volunteered geographic information (VGI)/ crowd- discussion forum. sourcing’

The discussion forum is accessible through: Pier-Giorgio Zaccheddu https://wiki.gdi- Convenor, Working Group on Toponymic de.org/display/wgtdfg/Discussion+forum Data Files and Gazetteers E-mail : [email protected]

Working Group on Training Courses in Toponymy

Advanced toponymy manual The need for standardized geographical names as part of the national geospatial At the 10th conference, the initiative to data infrastructure. produce an advanced toponymy manual, to  In this first chapter the eminence of supplement the existing literature, basic the national toponymic database, and UNGEGN manuals and on-line webcourses, its benefits for administration, was launched, to be completed by the 11th development, emergency mapping conference. In order to monitor the current and preserving the cultural heritage status, an update is given of the is highlighted (Helen Kerfoot). commitments made to produce one or more of the planned chapters. The advanced Examples of applications of the national manual is thought of, in its initial stage, as names database in emergency mapping, an e-book, to be downloaded from the administration and development UNGEGN-website. Hopefully, later,  The National names database and sponsors can be found for translations into emergency mapping (examples from other (UN) languages and printed versions. UNSDI, Haiti, crowd flowers, time- out) (still open) In the list of chapters those for which  National names database and tourist authors have been found already are shaded. activities/hotel reservations (still Some suggestions for possible authors are open) put in parentheses after the chapter titles.

11 Management of a national names Technical issues: database management* programmes:  Database design and management  Finances, administration, legal (Pier Zaccheddu) issues, human resources in  Database Open source options vs maintaining and publishing the commercial options: criteria for geographical names database (Pier selection (Pier Zaccheddu) Zaccheddu)  Requirements for a school atlas names database (Tjeerd Tichelaar) Different geographical names applications: Technical issues: internet, web service  Geographical names for infrastructure and applications hydrographic charts (Australian  Web services and applications; Navy?) criteria for selection packages (Pier  Geographical names for tourist maps Zaccheddu) (Tjeerd Tichelaar or Bettina  Publishing names databases in the Wobek?) Google Earth application (Pier  Urban street naming (still open) Zaccheddu)  Tourist/road map exercise (Tjeerd  Working with African GeoNyms – a Tichelaar) desktop application (UNECA?)  UNSDI Gazetteer Framework project Regional and global datafile and gazetteer (Laura Kostanski) initiatives  Small islands names project (BIG?) Evaluation of current Internet products  Regional datafiles (for instance  Evaluation of current web services ASEPSW) (Wendy Shaw) and applications (Ferjan Ormeling)  Regional names services such as  Evaluation of current names servers Eurogeonames (Ferjan (Ferjan Ormeling) Ormeling/Pier Zaccheddu)  World names database UN (Helen Cultural aspects Kerfoot)  Place names as cultural heritage (Botolv Helleland) Concordance between statistical and  History of place names (Tjeerd topographical names Tichelaar)  Standardization of names for  Assigning street names (still open; statistical enumeration areas (still Claude Tapsoba?) open. Mexico or Brazil?)  Collecting indigenous names (WG  Reduction of differences between on Indigenous names?) statistical and topographical areal object names (still open. Brazil or Toponymic research Mexico?)  Onomastics and lexicology  Integration of crowd-sourced or (Zagórski?) volunteered geographic information  Etymology and the historic study of (VGI)/crowd-sourcing (Pier place names (Zagórski?) Zaccheddu)  Internet sources for linguistic research (Tjeerd Tichelaar)

12 Toponymic documentation processes and procedures) (still  Study of linguistic and toponymic open) sources (Hubert Bergmann)  in order to coordinate names record  Preparing briefs for place name from different national institutions guides (Ormeling?) (Laura Kostanski)  Collating sources and maps (still open) Communication issues  Interview techniques for collecting Positioning geographical names (still open)  Theoretical aspects of positioning  Role play for names board meetings (Zaccheddu) (Maputo Video/ still open)  Assessing optimal object positioning procedures: best practices (still open) Special training for contacts with the  Hands-on GPS exercise (still open. media ITC?)  Toponymic requirements of the media (still open) Cartographic aspects: paper and digital  Media cartography (still open) map series  Exercise on Producing media maps  Updating names sheets and (still open) Assessing optimal names density for map sheets (Romanian colleagues) Those interested to cooperate with this  Dealing with areal names on initiative – especially those working in one adjoining map sheets; multiple of the UNGEGN Working Groups – are naming (Romanian colleagues) requested to contact Ferjan Ormeling,  Digital/automatic place name stating to which item or subject they are labeling (still open) willing to contribute.  Jumping place names on monitor screens (hierarchical aspects)(still There are no financial inducements, open) unfortunately, this is strictly a volunteer production for the benefit of our (future) Audit of existing records colleagues in the field of toponymy.  in order to coordinate toponymic information from different parts of the country (still open; BIG?) Ferjan Ormeling  in order to coordinate toponymic Convenor, WG Training Courses in information from different survey Toponymy periods (and therefore collected E-mail: [email protected] according to different standards,

Working Group on Geographical Names as Cultural Heritage

There is one outstanding issue left from the Although I will always have a special previous UNGEGN Session, being the need interest in the issues associated with the to fill the role of convenor for this group. cultural aspect of place names, I find that I

13 will not be able to do justice to this while in the position of UNGEGN Chair. Looking forward to hearing from you.

Any interested persons can advise me by e- Bill Watt mail and I will then organize to advise the Convenor, Working Group on Geographical other working group members and hold a Names as Cultural Heritage poll if necessary. E-Mail: [email protected]

ICA/IGU Working Group/Commission on Toponymy

Toponyms in Cartography. Proceedings The toponymical contributions to the of the Toponymic Sessions at the 25th International Cartographic Conference are International Cartographic Conference, diverse, both geographically and Paris, 3–8 July 2011, ed. by Peter Jordan thematically. Geographically, the focus is on and Ferjan Ormeling, Hamburg 2013, ISBN Brazil and on Europe, with a paper on Tunis 978-3-8300-6700-9, 134 p. as a Mediterranean extension of Europe. The subjects range from the collection of geographical names to the operation of names servers, from the use of exonyms in school atlases to the creation of names data bases and from the reconstruction of former namescapes to the creation of new ones.

Contents:  BAILLY, Guillaume (France): Nommer les communautés de communes: état des lieux en 2012, à l'heure de la réforme territoriale th The ICA 25 International Cartographic  DHIEB, Mohsen (Saudi Arabia): Conference in Paris in July 2011 is special Towards a geographical database from a toponymical point of view because it of names in Tunisia: The case of marks the first meeting of the joint ICA-IGU the map sheet of Sfax NW # 107 Commission on Toponymy. Toponymy has  JORDAN, PETER (AUSTRIA): been a regular theme for international TRENDS IN EXONYM USE OF cartographic conferences for decades, and it EUROPEAN SCHOOL ATLASES is only proper that this has been  LÖFSTRÖM, JONAS & PANSINI, institutionalized now. The subject of VALERIA (FRANCE): TOPONYMS toponymy is now not only dealt within an AND CARTOGRAPHY: HISTORICAL onomastical context at the biannual ICOS PERSPECTIVE AND LINGUISTIC meetings, and within an administrative CHALLENGES context at the biannual UNGEGN meetings,  MATHIAS, MARCIA (BRAZIL): but also within a geo-cartographic context at THE IMPORTANCE OF THE joint ICA-IGU meetings.

14 PHONEMES IN THE COLLECTION OF spatial data infrastructure of GEOGRAPHICAL NAMES IN BRAZIL Poland  MENEZES, Paulo de, ALMEIDA,  ZACCHEDDU, Pier-Giorgio Camila de & FREITAS, Anniele (Germany) & OVERTON, David de (Brazil): Toponymy of the (Belgium): EuroGeoNames political-administrative evolution (EGN) – The implementation of of Rio de Janeiro State – Brazil an INSPIRE service  RESENDE, Ana, SANTOS, Cláudio dos, & MATHIAS, MARCIA The book can be ordered from the publisher (BRAZIL): THE RIVERHEAD OF THE Kovač, cf. to URUGUAI RIVER: ORIGINS OF A http://www.verlagdrkovac.de/978-3-8300- CONTROVERSY 6700-9.htm  SANTOS, CLAUDIO DOS (BRAZIL): A NEW APPROACH TO THE Peter JORDAN COLLECTION OF GEOGRAPHICAL Convenor, Working Group on Exonyms NAMES IN BRAZIL E-mail: [email protected]  SZYSZKOWSKA, Karolina & PRZYSZEWSKA, Katarzyna Ferjan Ormeling (Poland): The national register of Convenor, Working Group on Training geographical names as part of a Courses in Toponymy modern, consistent and reference E-mail: [email protected]

Task Team for Africa

L’année en cours a été très prolifique pour l’Administration du Territoire et de la la toponymie africaine. En effet, plusieurs Sécurité et le Ministre du Désenclavement activités ont été enregistrées tans sur le et des Transports en présence de plusieurs plan structurel et institutionnel que sur le délégués représentant les différents plan de celles dites scientifiques. départements ministériels du pays.

Sur Le Plan Institutionnel : C’est dire toute l’importance que le Gouvernement du Burkina compte donner à Au Burkina Faso cette Commission. (Voir le discours de Monsieur le Ministre à ce sujet.) Création de la Commission Nationale de Toponymie par décret n°2012- Cette commission constituée de 1015/PRES/PM/MID/MATDS/MEF du compétences pluridisciplinaires entre 31décembre 2013, portant création, historiens, linguistes, géographes, attributions et fonctionnement d’une cartographes, administrateurs et bien Commission Nationale de toponymie. d’autres spécialistes, est chargée notamment d’énoncer les règles et Celle-ci, a été installée solennellement le d’harmoniser les pratiques relatives à la 15 Mars 2013, lors d’une cérémonie toponymie au Burkina Faso. officielle co-présidée par le Ministre de

15 Il est à noter que le Burkina Faso disposait communauté internationale des bienfaits de d’une Commission de toponymie depuis la normalisation des noms géographiques. 1986 mais pour divers raison celle-ci n’a pu activer. En Algerie :

Nous souhaitons tout le succès à cette Création d’une Unité de recherche sur les nouvelle Commission dont le Secrétariat a systèmes de dénomination en Algérie, par été confié à l’Institut Géographique du arrêté ministériel du 02 Juin 2012. Burkina Faso. Connaissant l’engagement de son Directeur Général, en l’occurrence Cette nouvelle structure vient en appui à Monsieur Claude Obin TAPSOBA , sa la Commission Nationale Permanent compétence et son expérience dans le Spécialisée de Toponymie qui active déjà, domaine de la normalisation des noms depuis 1998. géographique, tant au niveau de l’UNGEGN qu’au niveau africain, nous ne pouvons que La dite Unité, comprenant deux Divisions, la nous réjouir de ce choix qui ne peut Division sur le système toponymique qu’apporter à ne pas en douter, que réussites algérien et la Division sur le système et succès à cette Commission. anthroponymique algérien, est chargée notamment :

En Tunisie :  d’étudier les systèmes de dénomination en Algérie. La Tunisie qui était l’un des rares pays  D’analyser les systèmes africains disposant, d’une Commission de toponymiques et anthroponymiques toponymie depuis 1957, vient de se doter en Algérie. d’une nouvelle structure de gestion de la  De contribuer à la mise en place toponymie tunisienne. d’une politique nationale en matière de normalisation des noms En effet, par décret n° 2013-1299 du 26 géographiques en Algérie. février 2013, il est créé une Commission  De procéder à des publications dans nationale de toponymie chargée de la le domaine des noms géographiques. gestion et de la normalisation des noms géographiques en Tunisie. Elle est actuellement constituée de 45 chercheurs associés, pilotant plus de 10 Vous trouverez tous le détail des programmes nationaux de recherche. dispositions et des prérogatives de cette Nul doute qu’une fructueuse coopération Commission dans le papier de Madame la sera établie entre ces nouvelles structures Vice Présidente de L’UNGEGN. africaines afin de booster davantage, l’activité dans le continent. Nous souhaitons également tout le succès à cette nouvelle commission qui ne pourra Sur Le Plan Des Activites Scientifiques : que réussir avec la présence en son sein de la Vice présidente du GENUNG en L’Organisation d’un séminaire l’occurrence Madame Naima Fréha. Elle international sur la toponymie algérienne saura apporter toute son expérience et sa du 19 au 20 février 2013 au Centre compétence pour faire profiter son pays et la National de Recherche en Anthroponymie

16 Sociale et Culturelle (CRASC), à / Cours De Formation : Algérie. Il est prévu, en collaboration avec les Cette rencontre, qui a enregistré une autorités de Madagascar, l’organisation d’un participation de plus de 200 personnes entre cours de Formation au courant de cette chercheurs, gestionnaires et administrateurs, année à Antananarivo. a eu pour centre d’intérêt les volets historiques, linguistiques, géographiques, Cooperation Avec Les Institutions sociologiques, psychologiques, Africaines : anthropologiques, littéraires, de gestion, de normalisation, liés à la toponymie mais Enfin il y lieu de signaler l’implication de la également à l’Anthroponymie. Commission Economique pour l’Afrique (UN/ECA,) dans son soutien au Task Team Ce Séminaire s’est fixé comme objectifs: for Africa et à l’activité toponymique en général. 1. d’établir un bilan de l’état des noms En effet, en plus de sa contribution aux de lieux et de personnes en Algérie, travaux du GENUNG, de la mise à la de leurs gestions institutionnelles disposition des différents pays africains, du (juridique, administrative, logiciel de base de données toponymiques, linguistique, technique…) : mode de de la confection ‘du plan dit de Gaborone’, création, transmission, changement, relatif au développement de la thématique transcription, translittération… des noms de noms géographique en Afrique, 2. d’exposer les résultats des travaux de le thème des noms géographiques est recherche universitaire sur la désormais un élément essentiel de l’Agenda toponymie et l’anthroponymie des rencontres organisées par elle ou sous algérienne au travers des différentes son égide. approches mises en œuvre: linguistique, géographique, Tous ces résultats sont en grande partie, dus historique, anthropologique, aux efforts déployés depuis un certain juridique, sémiotique, littéraire… temps, par différents membres du 3. de mettre à niveau les institutions GENUNG. Qu’ils en soient ici, remerciés. nationales utilisatrices de la toponymie sur les dernières A l’instar de l’ancienne équipe dirigeante du dispositions en matière de législation GENUNG, nous sommes certains en tant internationale notamment la qu’équipe du Task Team For Africa, de nécessité d’une normalisation continuer de bénéficier de l’appui du nationale des toponymes algériens Secrétariat et de trouver toute l’aide servant de normalisation nécessaire auprès de Monsieur le nouveau internationale et la problématique de Président Monsieur Bill Watt et son Staff l’application du système de auxquels nous souhaitons plein de succès. translittération des caractères arabes aux caractères latins. Dr. Brahim ATOUI 4. de créer une société savante « la Chair, Task Team for Africa Société algérienne d’onomastique ». E-mail: [email protected]

17

From the Countries

News from Brazil

An interesting experience of certification of geographic names has been taking place in All software used in the project is FOS. Brazil since 2009. It is a project in which multidisciplinary teams from the IBGE and The exchange of information, experience local cartographic institutions interact in and knowledge between the federal and the order to update the official topographic state institutions has been a great profit from mapping of the State of Paraná in the 1:50 the project. 000 scale, by collecting new names, correcting, and revising all the toponyms in So far, about 1800 geographic names have the state. The information provided in the been certified. last mapping in this scale dates back to the early nineties and late eighties. As one of the actions of the Project Geographic Names of Brazil, in January Besides aiming at standardizing the set of 2012, the IBGE launched the Índice de geographic names of Paraná, the project also Nomes Geográficos do Brasil da Base promotes the retrieval of historic and Cartográfica Contínua do Brasil ao linguistic information about these names. Milionésimo - BCIM (Gazetteer from the Continuous Cartographic Base of Brazil, The methodological procedures include millionth). extensive preparations in the office about the area where field work will take place. It It is expected for this year the public consists in gathering historical and cultural consultation carried out by the Secretary of information as well as cartographic and legal Planning regarding the main policies for the documentation of the area and proceeding naming of geographic features in Brazil. comparative analyses of the documents Thus, it is believed that as of 2013 these regarding the use of the geographic names. policies will regulate the standardization of The problems concerning standardization geographic names in Brazil. that cannot be solved in the office are then separated for field research with precise objectives, and special attention is given to Ana Cristina da Rocha Bérenger Resende problems regarding names of features IBGE - DGC - Coordenação de Cartografia involved in either national or international Centro De Referência Em Nomes territorial limits. All the names present in the Geográficos mapping of the area are organized in a E-mail: [email protected] gazetteer in which indication for field research is described when it is the case.

18 Creation of the Register of the Geographical Names in Republic of Bulgaria

The Geodesy, Cartography and Cadastre (marked with a code according to an Agency in Republic of Bulgaria (GCCA) appendix); has commenced the creation of a register of  appurtenance of the geographical the geographical names in Bulgaria, whose object (administrative or to a bigger objective is to ensure uniformity and orographical or hydrographical sustainability in the use of the names of object or system); geographical objects and where the  coordinates of the geographical information will be contained and updated. object, to which the geographical name refers; In parallel with the creation of the Register,  the source, from which the name is an information system is being developed, extracted; which will provide the tools for registration  actuality of the source for the official of the geographical names, their storage, name (year of edition); update, maintenance and retrieval of  the alternative/old name of the requested information from the database. geographical object;  the source, from which the The information system together with a fully alternative/old name is extracted; operational register are expected to be ready  actuality of the source for the by the beginning of 2014 as the geographical alternative/old name (year of names are part of the total volume of edition). geographical information and have to be extracted from the cartographic originals and The System for transliteration of Bulgarian entered into the new digital Register, which alphabet into Roman alphabet, adopted by is a time-consuming process. the Bulgarian legislation in 2009, is used in the process of transliteration of geographical The sources to be used are the large-scale names in the Register. On international th topographic maps 1:5000 and 1:10000 level, the System was adopted on the 10 (stored at GCCA), Medium-scale UN conference on standardization of topographic maps 1:25000 (edition of the geographical names, when Resolution № Military Geographic Service) and other Х/8 recommended the system to be adopted cartographic and statistic materials. as an international system for of Bulgarian geographical names. The Register of Geographical Names is created in a table format and includes the In aid of the customers willing to convert following fields with the elements and text from Bulgarian to Roman alphabet and features of geographical objects: vice versa, GCCA has installed on its website a free tool for online transliteration:  serial number ID; http://www.cadastre.bg/en. The instructions  name of the geographical object; for use are on both Bulgarian and English  transliteration of the geographical language and there are options for name; transliteration (from Bulgarian to Roman  type of the geographical object, to alphabet) and re-transliteration (from Roman which the geographical name refers alphabet to Bulgarian). The tool is

19 developed in compliance with the system and search for geographical names through and rules of the Law of transliteration, as various criteria and characteristics. In well as with the basic rules of Bulgarian addition, when the respective geographical grammar, word groups and language name is selected, it will be visualized on the characteristics. map of Bulgaria.

The information system of the Register of the geographical names in Bulgaria will be Geodesy, Cartography and Cadaster accessible through the web page of GCCA Agency (GCCA) and will allow the users to make enquiries E-mail: [email protected]

Burkina Faso

Discours D’installation Des Membres De La Commission Nationale De Toponymie Du Burkina Faso,

Prononcé par Monsieur Jérôme BOUGOUMA, Ministre de l’Administration du Territoire et de la Sécurité, le 15 mars 2013

Distingués invités, La commission dont vous aurez l’exaltante Madame et Messieurs les Commissaires, tâche d’animer aux termes du décret précité, a entre autres pour missions :  de procéder à l’inventaire et à la conservation des noms de lieux ;  d’adopter pour chaque nom de lieu sa forme linguistique officielle ;  d’élaborer les principes, les méthodes et les règles d'écriture de tous les noms de lieux ;  d’établir les critères de choix des noms à attribuer aux lieux sur l’ensemble du territoire national ;  de diffuser les toponymes du Burkina Le Gouvernement du Burkina Faso, en Faso tant au niveau national qu’au adoptant le décret n°2012- niveau international. 1015/PRES/PM/MID/MATDS/MEF portant création, attributions et fonctionnement Ces missions requièrent des compétences d’une Commission Nationale de toponymie, plurielles, raison pour laquelle la a décidé de se doter d’une structure commission regroupe en son sein historien, nationale chargée d’énoncer les règles et linguiste, géographe, cartographe et bien d’harmoniser les pratiques relatives à la d’autres spécialistes pétries d’expériences. toponymie au Burkina Faso.

20 les noms des localités dans les régions du Nord, de la Boucle du Mouhoun et des Hauts-Bassins.

Madame et Messieurs les Commissaires,

Le gouvernement du Burkina réaffirme sa volonté de trouver des réponses idoines aux préoccupations liées à la toponymie. C’est pourquoi, je vous déclare solennellement installés dans vos fonctions de membres de la Commission nationale de toponymie du Les défis qui vous attendent sont nombreux Burkina Faso. et vous devez vous atteler déjà à en relever un, celui d’adopter la forme linguistique Claude Obin TAPSOBA officielle de chaque localité administrative Directeur Général, Institut Géographique du du Burkina Faso. Burkina Au sortir de cette cérémonie, vous allez vous E-mail: [email protected] retrouver en atelier technique pour examiner

The Regulation of National and Municipal Toponymy in Cape Verde

I - General 2000 year Census, it was found that there was a large amount of geographical The toponymy of the country exists since the names that were not appearing in our colonial times, with the most complete most complete toponymic base, the map version of the 1:25.000 topographic maps 1:25.000, and those information had to used in the Portuguese Army before the be supplemented with other names in independence. This toponymy was designed urban and in rural areas in the Census for use in existing maps at that time, at small works. and medium scales (scale 1:100,000 and 1: 25,000), and still now continues to be the 2- On other hand, this need was felt with base toponymic the country. The need to the creation of new cities in the different adapt that toponymy to the current country municipalities in 2005. These new cities, was felt twice: with their need for infra-structures will need to be georeferenced and thus be 1- With the development of the first large- endowed with more street names, zones, scale maps in 1993, and with the early locations, etc., in order to support their design studies for the Land Cadaster in economic and social development. Cape Verde, was felt the inadequacy of the existing geographical names for II - Developed Activities georeferencing of cadastral information in urban and rural areas in the different With the Decree-Law No. 5/2012 which islands of the country. Also, during the regulates the National and Municipal

21 Toponymy, was created the legal basis for Thus, within the powers of the “Unidade de regulation, standardization and updating of Coordenação do Cadastro Predial (UCCP) – the National and the Municipal Toponymy MAHOT (Ministry of Environment, in Cape Verde. Habitation and Territorial Management)” was prepared and submitted in May last In this Decree-Law which regulates the year, a proposal for a Regulation of Toponymy at the national and municipal Municipal Toponymy, in order to assist level, the Government intends to assume its municipalities in preparing its own own responsibilities with regards to Regulation Municipal Toponymy and Police standardization, compilation or assigning Numbering, was created the National place names to places, sites and Commission on Toponymy (CNT) in order infrastructures of national or international, to proceed with the implementation of that are its jurisdiction, while requiring Toponymy and ensure the homogeneity of stimulates and supports the municipalities to this regulation for all municipalities in the give a new impetus in the implementation of country. toponymy and municipal police numbers. Defining itself as the linguistic or historical These Regulations for Municipal Toponymy study of the origin of the names of places, and Police Numbering is an instrument the toponymy, assumes a high cultural aimed at achieving the objectives of significance as an important element that planning and management of each reflects and perpetuates facts, customs, and Municipality, establishing clear and precise place events that reflects the memories of criterias that allow disciplinary ways of the people. assigning place names and police numbering. For the members of the CNT The assignment of place names, both at local can have a clear idea of the works to be and national levels, thus becomes mandatory. undertaken by the Commission in the near Consequently, with regards to the current future, we designed a plan of activities to be situation, was setted up a period of five undertaken during the period July 2012 to years from the date of publication of this law July 2013, from where we highlight: (28th. February 2012) to the Municipalities attributing toponyms to all public places and 1- Adoption of the Rules of the CNT, and places of their municipality. the final number of the constituents of the Commission; With respect for local autonomy, the law established a set of concepts to be used, to 2- Confirmation, Preparation and avoid anarchy in the qualification of public implementation of the Regulation of spaces and places, providing criterias for Municipal Police Toponymy and assigning place names, a process that, once Numbering in all Municipalities; completed, should be widely publicized, beyond communicated to the regional  Implementation of Municipal Judicial Courts, at the Conservatory Toponymy Committees; (Company Register Land) at Tax Offices,  Preparation of National Toponymy Post office of Cape Verde, the National Diagnostics; Police and the Judicial Police and the Civil  Definition of the work methodology Protection services. in consultation with all stakeholders of the project;

22

III. Timeline Toponymy Project Project Activities Project Activities Years 2012 2013 Preparation and Publication in February 28, 2012 the Decree-Law No. 5/2012 which regulates the National and Municipal Toponymy. Adoption of the Rules of the CNT, and the final number of the constituents of the Commission. Preparation for Proposed Regulation Municipal Police Toponymy and Numbering of Counties Diagnosis toponymy of existing needs and toponymic in Cape Verde Definition of areas of intervention Pilot project to implement an urban center Socialization of the proposed intervention at national level Acquisition of toponymic material to install Implementation of a National Campaign

The toponymy represents an efficient The toponymic designations should be stable geographic referencing system that man and should not be influenced by subjective needs and uses to track the activities and criterias or factors circumstance. events in the territory. José A. Andrade E-mail: [email protected]

Kenya: Progress Report on Preparation of the Third Edition of the Standard Names Gazetteer

Introduction Figure 1: Sample of Analogue Card System

Survey of Kenya, as the National Mapping Organization in Kenya, maintains the Official National Standard Names Gazetteer.

The second edition of the Geographical Names Gazetteer was published in 1978 containing a total of 40,000 name entries. The volume is in analogue format and only allows manual methods of names searches. All geographical names shown on topographical maps of Kenya at the scales of 1:50,000 and smaller have been entered in

23 the gazetteer. The entries include names of Evaluation of the Existing Analogue the first-, second-, third and fourth order Databases and Records administrative divisions, populated places of all sizes, many minor cultural entities and a Survey of Kenya has a network of county variety of physical features. offices all over the country engaged in delegated functions of surveying and Many newly populated settlements have mapping. These offices provide periodical come up since the publication of the last reports on the actual ground situation and it edition due to national economic is from these reports that an assessment is development and population growth. This made on the need to revise the topographical has resulted in increased number of maps and geographical names. The reports geographical names necessitating also assist in evaluating the sanctity of the preparation of a new edition of the names toponymic information from different parts gazetteer. It is anticipated that the of the country. The need to conduct prompt redesigned gazetteer will possess over searches, efficient provision of geographical 100,000 name entries. names to stakeholders in geospatial clientele and effective knowledge relay were The extents in area of some of these identified as prerequisites for maintaining an emergent urban settlements are rather small up-to-date standard names gazetteer. and cannot be distinctively shown on maps at the scales of 1:50,000 or smaller. To Field Data Collection address this limitation, the new edition has been designed to contain names on In Kenya, topographical map revision topographical maps at the scale of 1:2,500. exercise involves field verification of The new gazetteer will be used as an topographical features captured through interactive digital geo-referenced database photogrammetric means and collection of for visualization of names placement, geographical names in accordance with the prompt name searches and continuous Survey Act and Survey Manual. The manual updating. All the 40,000 names in the gives guidance on the procedure of the existing gazetteer have been digitized in the spelling the place names and how to prepare restyled digital volume. the names lists. The Swahili Orthography in the as set out in the standard grammars and dictionaries is used, except for imported names, private names of estates, and established wrong names of towns, railways stations post offices etc.

Collection of names is done by interviewing local residents who provide information on cultural attachments, meaning, and history of the names. The names are listed in special forms designed by the Standing Committee on Geographical Names (SCGN). Local regional administration officers, after consulting residents with thorough Figure 2: Part of the Digitized Names Entries Record (40,000 Names Digitized)

24 knowledge of the indigenous history, Lists of all the new names are prepared and authenticate the lists. presented to the SCGN for endorsement and consequent approval by the minister. Database entry Observations After the field exercise, the authenticated lists are collated and the office procedures of Several issues were noted data collection. quality control undertaken. Also, the compiler ensures that all the forms bearing  Geographical names databases are very the names lists have been signed by the dynamic with changes occurring due to; County Commissioner of the respective region. o Administrative unit restructuring, o New settlements, Entries are made in the names’ database that o Emergence of new urban areas is linked to the official map of Kenya. This that out develop the existing is helpful in that overlaps, misplaced or ones. repeated entries are easily identified and rectified accordingly.  The importance of standardization of geographical names cannot be gainsaid. The database is processed so that several The local residents are very cooperative other products can be generated as in providing the necessary information geospatial layers for use in other because they appreciate being involved Geographical Information System (GIS) in participating in the exercise. In this applications. These include; annotations regard, chances of disputes in connection layer in topographical mapping, developing with geographical names in Kenya are names’ layers for government projects in minimal, be they orthographic, linguistic population census, electoral, administrative or phonetic issues. and security issues, physical planning, disaster and hazard management, among  Data collection is an expensive exercise others. that calls for huge investment in capacity development and procurement of Publication of the Names Gazetteer equipment. This will enable the personnel involved to gain valuable After normalizing the database and ensuring experience and customize best practices. that it is error free, the Gazetteer is ready for publishing. However, the Survey Act  The effectiveness of any map is requires that all names published in any map dependent on the actuality of the names of Kenya must be approved by the Minister used as annotations on the maps. of Lands upon advice of the Standing Frequent updating of the gazetteer Committee on Geographical Names provides a trace of the historical (SCGN), whose chair is the Director of development of the respective region. Surveys.

25

Figure 3: Figure 4: Part of Map of Mombasa Prepared in 1978 Geographical Names Collected in 2013 Overlayed on Figure 3 (1978 Map) (Note the new geographical names compared to those existing in 1978 map)

Mr. Ephantus Murage Mundia Director of Surveys, Survey of Kenya, Ministry of Lands and Chairman, Standing Committee on Geographical Names (SCGN) E-mail: [email protected], [email protected]

Sri Lanka

In Sri Lanka, the Survey Department which established in order to fill this longstanding is the national survey and mapping agency, gap. recently established a Geographical Names Branch, aiming at Standardization of Further, the Cabinet of Ministers gave Geographical Names used in the maps and formal approval on 2009.09.08 for other documents and also in the establishment of a committee for Geographical Information databases. Standardization of Geographical Names in Sri Lanka. It has long been identified the need for standardization of geographical names in The Department of Management Services of order to cater the requirements of Geo- the Ministry of Finance & Planning gave Information community by providing correct approval to create a new Deputy Surveyor names along with up to date high accurate General post for standardization of maps to the geo information users. geographical names from 2011.01.01 but, Since the need for a national programme for the branch was officially established standardization of geographical names 2012.02.16 due to administrative reasons. would achieve an overall savings of government resources, this new branch was

26 Since the inception of the branch in Another request was sent to the Department February 2012, a cabinet paper was prepared of Official Languages for establishment of for obtaining approval for the establishment Romanization system for Sinhala language of the 10 member committee for as majority of the geographical names have Standardization of Geographical Names been originated from Sinhala language, but headed by the Surveyor General comprising are written in Roman alphabet in most of the representatives from Ministries of Home maps, official documents and digital Affairs & Cultural Affairs, Departments of databases. Archeology & National Languages, Academics of University of Grants Further, the Surveyor General and the Commission, and senior staff of the Survey Additional Surveyor General (Central) Department. The activities of the committee participated in the 27th session of the United will be Nations Group of Experts in Geographical Names (UNGEGN) held in New York on  Establish principles that constitute 30th July and 10th August 2012 and also in the fundamental doctrines used for the 10th Conference on the Standardization guiding the national standardization of Geographical Names held in New York  Establish the policies or rules from 31st July to 09th August 2012. covering specific details devised to deal with problems and the means of The Deputy Surveyor General in charge of implementing standardization. Geographical Names participated in the 4th  Establish procedures and methods UNGEGN Training course on Toponymy for carrying out names held in Yogyakartha, Indonesia from 17th to standardization. 21st September 2012.

A Project Concept paper was also prepared for Standardization of Geographical Names S.K. Wijayasinghe in Sri Lanka, which is now before the Deputy Surveyor General (Geographical Department of National Planning trying to Names) obtain funding sources. E-mail: [email protected]

Creation of a National Commission of Toponymy in Tunisia

Introduction  The bilingualism (the official use of the in parallel with The toponymic landscape in Tunisia is very the Arabic) and the diglossia heterogeneous and its complexity comes at between the official Arabic and the several levels: dialects.  The toponymy is generally twinned  The rich historical heritage of names, with the cartography which, in a high important witness on civilizations level, relies either on existing names and cultures that have lived and ruled inherited from colonial epochs and in Tunisia through 3 millenniums. that had been subject of several deformations or on the linguistically

27 unskilled surveyors who collect the in the framework of the establishment of the names from the field. National Atlas of Tunisia and by Mr Mohsen  The absence of national toponymic Dhieb(2) from the University of Arts and authorities to regulate the sector, to Humanities of Sfax - Laboratory SYFACTE, set up standards for collecting, to develop a methodology to transcribe, on a sharing and transcribing medium scale administrative map, the geographical names particularly on Tunisian toponyms with the least possible cartographic documents (maps, errors. Which project remains in progress. atlases) and on road panels. New toponymic challenges: the creation of Some national standardization’ attempts a National Toponymic Commission

Considering the above mentioned factors In 2009, the mapping production was and being aware about the negative impact assigned to the National Centre for Remote of this on the mapping production, the Sensing which, by “Law N°24-2009 of 11 government has tried since 1983 , through May 2009”, became the National Centre for the ex-National Mapping Agency ( Office de Cartography and Remote Sensing (CNCT). la Topographie et de la Cartographie: (OTC)) , to set up a unique transcription Empowered by its active participation to the system for its mapping production plan. UNGEGN work and in response to the continuous UNGEGN' calls about A restricted commission of toponymy implementing the UNGEGN’ created within the OTC and composed of recommendations and resolutions, the experts and linguists representing three CNCT has fighted to bring forward the ministries (Ministry of National Defense, emergency of geographical names' Ministry of Equipment, and Ministry of standardization. The creation of a National High Education and Scientific Research) Toponymic Commission was seen as the was then assigned the task to study the first catalyst. Which commission will have amended 1972’ transcription system, to preserve the rich toponymic’ heritage and endorsed by the UNGEGN. to regulate the toponymic sector.

The Beirut system was then implemented by The project of the Decree was subject of the OTC with few changes according to the several relevant inter- ministries’ meetings, Tunisian dialect. But few years after its discussions and comments for about 3 years. adoption, the map users found this system complex and confusing. The system was On 26th February 2013, the Decree N°2013- thus abandoned letting place to several 1299 was signed by the ex-President of the informal ways of transcription. Government Mr Hamadi JEBALI, stating creation of the national toponymic It is also appropriate to mention some commission and setting its composition, its academic or scientific studies that have missions and its functioning rules [Décret addressed the issue of the geographical n° 2013-1299 du 26 février 2013, portant names ‘transcription in Tunisia, researches création de la commission nationale de primarily conducted by Ms Evelyne Ben toponymie et fixant sa composition, ses Jaafar(1) from the Centre for Studies and for missions et les modalités de son Economic and Social Researches (CERES) fonctionnement].

28  The preparation of the work’ agendas 8th March 2013 was a wonderful day of the Commission. especially for the CNCT to see the Decree of  The monitoring of the proposals and the creation of the National Toponymic recommendations of the Commission Commission (NTC) published on the JORT and ensuring their implementation. (Journal Officiel de la République  The preservation and archiving of the Tunisienne) N° 20 in its Arabic and French Commission’ work. versions. The National Commission of Toponymy is The National Toponymic Commission, in charge of preserving and developing the placed under the tutelage of the Ministry of national toponymic heritage and whose main National defense is chaired by the Ministry missions include the following: of Defense and is composed of members representing the Presidency, 11 ministries  Collect, identify, control and correct (The Ministry of the Interior, the Ministry of geographical names. Regional Development and Planning, the  Set national unified standards for the Ministry of Equipment, the Ministry of transcription and management of Transport, the Ministry of Agriculture, the geographical names in Arabic and Ministry of Environment, the Ministry of Latin. Industry, the Ministry of Trade and Crafts,  Control the translation of the names the Ministry of Tourism, the Ministry of from Arabic to latin and their Culture, the Ministry of Higher Education transcription and diffusion in and Scientific Research) and of members particular on maps and road panels. representing 9 national institutions from  Ensure the implementation of the both government and private sectors. Romanization’ system endorsed by The NTC may call upon experts, UNGEGN. researchers, linguists or any other person  Ensure studies and researches about whose participation in the work of the the historical, socio-economic, Committee is considered useful, but without cultural and religious origins and taking part in the vote. meanings of geographical names

including the exonyms. (1) Associate Professor at University, linguist and author of the book (Les  Ensure the setting up of gazetteers, noms des lieux en Tunisie: Racines atlases and toponymic databases. vivantes de l'identité nationale,  Look after ensuring the publication CERES 1985). and distribution of books, researches, (2) Professor of geography (mapping), studies and articles about Laboratoire SYFACTE – Faculté des geographical names and use Lettres et des Sciences Humaines de different media to raise people’ Sfax. awareness about the importance of geographical names. The Secretariat of the National Commission  Ensure the necessary coordination of Toponymy is ensured by the National between all bodies involved in Centre for Cartography and Remote Sensing geographical names whose responsibilities are including :  Ensure the representation of the Republic of Tunisia at the regional

29 and international events relevant to participants about its role in the promotion the field of geographical names. of the geographical names.

In addition, the Commission is responsible In conclusion, we do recognize that it is for providing advice on all matters and indeed a great national achievement, issues related to place names and to initiated by the National Centre for participate to the preparation of laws and Cartography and Remote Sensing and regulations related to the organization of the supported by the UNGEGN in order to toponymic sector. preserve the rich toponymic heritage of Tunisia and to promote all developing The Decree also provides for the possibility sectors by providing them with reliable, of creating sub-committees or working correct and standardized geographical groups to treat with topics like exonyms, names, but the real work will start now and pronounciation, transcription’ systems. Their certainly we’ll continue to rely on the creation, composition, assignments and encouragement, contribution and assistance operating rules will be subject of Decision of UNGEGN’ staff and experts to succeed. by the Chairman of the commission, the Minister of National Defence. For further details about the National Commission of Toponymy, please consult Actually the CNCT is working on setting up the Journal Officiel de la République the action plan of the commission which Tunisienne (JORT) N° 20 dated 8th March should firstly start by setting the procedures 2013 at the following link: for the appointment of the commission’ members. There is an idea for organising a workshop - that may hopefully be attended by experts from UNGEGN- in order to introduce the commission and sensitize the

*********** 1.http://www.iort.gov.tn/ 2.Searching in the Official Gazette

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30 3. Advanced search 4. Make the request (Type : Decree ; Year : 2013 ; Number : 1299 ; Text date : 26/02/2013) 5. Search

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6. Click on Two languages

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31 7. The Decree in Arabic and French.

Eng. Naima FRIHA

UNGEGN Vice Chair E-mail: [email protected]

32 Upcoming Meetings of Groups Associated with Geographical Names

Some forthcoming meetings of organizations relevant to geographical names

UNGEGN Training Course ICC 2013 – 26th International 17-21 June 2013, Antananarivo, Madagascar Cartographic Conference (http://www.icc2013.org/) Joint meeting of UNGEGN Working Groups 25-30 August 2013, Dresden, Germany Evaluation and Implementation Publicity and Funding International Conference of Geography and 4-6 July 2013, Seoul & Suwon, Republic of Environment Korea (http://cigma2013.mx/geo_edit/convocatoria- carteles-ing-cigma2013.pdf) Third Session of the United Nations 7-9 October 2013, Mexico City, Mexico Committee of Experts on Global Geospatial Information Management (UN-GGIM) American Association of Geographers 24-26 July 2013, Cambridge, United Kingdom (AAG) (http://ggim.un.org/ggim_committee.html) Annual meeting 2014, 2015 (http://www.aag.org/cs/calendar_of_events) IGU Kyoto 2013 Regional Conference April 8-12, 2014, Tampa (http://www.igu-kyoto2013.org/) April 21-25, 2015, Chicago 4-9 August 2013, Kyoto, Japan UNGEGN 28th Session There will be 16 papers presented in the May 2014 Toponymy commission (joint with ICA) sessions International Congress of Onomastic Sciences (ICOS) 10th UN Regional Cartographic (http://www.icosweb.net/) Conference for the Americas 25-29 August 2014, Glasgow, Scotland 19-23 August 2013, New York, United States (http://unstats.un.org/unsd/geoinfo/RCC/unrcca 10.html)

Joint UNGEGN Division meeting and seminar 18-20 September 2013, Tallinn, Estonia (Baltic Division, Norden Division, Integration of onomastic data in National Spatial Data Infrastructure)

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