ST/ESA/STAT/SER.M/88 Department of Economic and Social Affairs Statistics Division Manual for the national standardization of geographical names United Nations Group of Experts on Geographical Names United Nations New York, 2006 The Department of Economic and Social Affairs of the United Nations Secretariat is a vital interface between global policies in the economic, social and environmental spheres and national action. The Department works in three main interlinked areas: (i) it compiles, generates and analyses a wide range of economic, social and environmental data and information on which Member States of the United Nations draw to review common problems and to take stock of policy options; (ii) it facilitates the negotiations of Member States in many intergovernmental bodies on joint courses of action to address ongoing or emerging global challenges; and (iii) it advises interested Governments on the ways and means of translating policy frameworks developed in United Nations conferences and summits into programmes at the country level and, through technical assistance, helps build national capacities. NOTE The designations employed and the presentation of material in the present publication do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Secretariat of the United Nations concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. The term “country” as used in the text of this publication also refers, as appropriate, to territories or areas. Symbols of United Nations documents are composed of capital letters combined with figures. ST/ESA/STAT/SER.M/88 UNITED NATIONS PUBLICATION Sales No. E.06.XVII.7 ISBN: 92-1-161490-2 Copyright © United Nations, 2006 All rights reserved Printed in United Nations, New York Manual for the national standardization of geographical names Foreword “What is the standardized way of writing geographical names?” This question was raised in connection with cartographic services provided through the United Nations Economic and Social Council after their inception in the late 1940s. The topic was discussed in the 1950s, and pursuant to Council resolutions, a six-member group of experts gathered in 1960. Under the chairmanship of Dr. Meredith F. Burrill (United States of America), the meeting considered the standardization of geographical names at the national level and standard methods of converting these accepted forms into other languages (and scripts) at the international level. This meeting was the starting point for the subsequent United Nations Conferences on the Standardization of Geographical Names (eight conferences had been held as of 2002) and the sessions of the United Nations Group of Experts on Geographical Names (UNGEGN) (22 sessions had been held as of 2004). The Conferences and the Group of Experts study national and international problems connected with standardization of geographical names and exchange technical information in 1 this field. ) To disseminate an understanding of its work and to encourage countries to undertake their own programmes, the United Nations has published for the Group of Experts the reports of, and the technical papers presented at, the United Nations Conferences on the Standardization of Geographical Names and the sessions of the Group of Experts, a variety of articles in the volumes of World Cartography, a brochure on the tasks and accomplishments of the Group of Experts, and a Glossary of Terms for the Standardization of Geographical Names.2 The significant need for a manual that would address the establishment of national geographical names authorities was first filled through the publication of World Cartography, volume XXI,3 in 1990. Under the auspices of the Working Group on Publicity and Funding of the United Nations Group of Experts on Geographical Names convened by David Munro (United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland), a new manual has been prepared. The material from World Cartography, volume XXI, has now been completely revised and updated by its original author, Donald Orth (United States of America), with editorial assistance from experts from several countries, in particular Helen Kerfoot (Canada), Roger Payne (United States of America), Naftali Kadmon (Israel) and Peeter Päll (Estonia). This material makes up part one of the current publication. In addition, we are pleased to add some more detailed contributions pertaining to aspects of the administration of geographical names standardization, written primarily by Botolv Helleland (Norway), Naftali Kadmon, Helen Kerfoot and Ferjan Ormeling (Netherlands). Botolv Helleland, Helen Kerfoot and Ferjan Ormeling reviewed those texts. 1 ) More information about the work of the United Nations Conferences on the Standardization of Geographical Names and the United Nations Group of Experts on Geographical Names can be found in part two, chap. I, of the present publication. 2 United Nations publication, Sales No. M.01.XVII.7. 3 United Nations publication, Sales No. E.90.I.12. iii Foreword The Group of Experts currently has working groups established to address issues of training, database and gazetteer development and data exchange, romanization systems, country names, toponymic terminology, exonyms, pronunciation, and promotion of indigenous and minority group geographical names. In addition, working groups are discussing publicity and funding, and matters of evaluation and implementation of United Nations resolutions. All are important projects for the Group of Experts. However, the cornerstone of all the work of the Group of Experts is the goal of establishing a geographical names authority in each country and promoting the use of the nationally standardized names internationally on maps and in documents. The present Manual for the National Standardization of Geographical Names provides a framework for those embarking on this important journey. Helen Kerfoot Chair, United Nations Group of Experts on Geographical Names 2004 iv Manual for the national standardization of geographical names Contents Page Foreword ............................................................................................................................. iii Contents ............................................................................................................................. v Introduction......................................................................................................................... 1 • The present manual................................................................................................ 1 • Advantages of standardization............................................................................... 2 • Training courses..................................................................................................... 3 • Contacts.................................................................................................................. 3 Part one. Organization of a national programme for geographical names standardization Donald J. Orth (United States of America) Acknowledgements ..................................................................................................... 7 Chapter I. Definitions and standardization.............................................................................. 9 • Defining a geographical name ............................................................................. 9 • Geographical names standardization ................................................................... 9 • National standardization...................................................................................... 10 • International standardization................................................................................ 10 II. Names and language ................................................................................................ 13 • Spoken language.................................................................................................. 13 • Written language.................................................................................................. 13 • Writing systems and scripts ................................................................................. 14 - Names conversion: transcription and transliteration...................................... 14 III. Programme requirements ....................................................................................... 17 • Justification for names standardization................................................................ 17 • Recognition of a need .......................................................................................... 17 • Legal or official authority .................................................................................... 18 • A clearly stated mandate...................................................................................... 18 • Continuing status................................................................................................. 18 • Authority limitations............................................................................................ 19 v Contents Chapter Page IV. Types of national geographical names authorities................................................ 21 • Authority structure...........................................................................................… 21 1. Central names office.....................................................................................