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27 May 2022 / Workshop: Linguistic Evidence of the Settlement Dynamics in the Balkans

Due to the uncertain epidemiological situation the workshop scheduled to take place 27-28 January 2022 had to be postponed.

Vienna, 27 May, 2022

It is common knowledge that toponymy —macrotoponymy as well as microtopony­my— mirrors the historical, in general, and linguistic dynamics in particular, and is, therefore, highly indicative of various language developments. Especially for Southeast Europe, a historical analysis of the toponymy contributes to a better understanding not only of the linguistic history but also of the settlement dynamics of this area, often poorly documented. To overcome shortcomings and to contribute to a better understanding of the linguistic and settlement history the research project “Linguistic History of Place Names of Albania” tackles these issues offering the historical linguistic analysis of the place-names of modern Albania collected in the project database with the fullest possible coverage of the toponymic material and integrating recent advances in linguistic methods.

By sharing preliminary results and discussing the essential issues of Balkan onomastics the workshop intends to revive the interest in and re-energize the discussions of various aspects of the toponymy of Southeastern Europe, with a time frame ranging from prehistory to the present. We are particularly interested in:

  • onomastics and toponymy (micro- and macrotoponymy) in general
  • linguistic landscapes in the Balkans (linguistic contacts, linguistic politics, naming traditions and practices, linguistic minorities)
  • diachronic and diatopic variation (historical development, name changes, etc.)
  • settlement dynamics and settlement history
  • sources and documentation of toponyms (oral and written documentation, maps)
  • the role of demographic factors
  • research methods and tools; challenges and new perspectives in toponomastics and related areas of research

Workshop venue: Institute of Habsburg and Balkan Studies, Balkan Research Unit, Hollandstraße 11-13 / 1. Stock 1020 Wien

Contact: Joachim.Matzinger@oeaw.ac.at, Katsiaryna.Ackermann@oeaw.ac.at

Information on arrival, accommodation, catering, excursions, etc., depending on the actual situation in May 2022, will be announced separately.

If you wish to participate, please submit an abstract of up to 500 words (not including bibliography) in PDF to be published on the workshop homepage. For better program planning, we kindly ask you to send us your abstract not later than 17th April 2022.

We look forward to meeting you in Vienna!

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