51. évfolyam, 2005. 4. szám

Archívum

The use of geographical names in the Hungarian language

FARAGÓ Imre

Könyvtári Figyelő (Library Review), vol. 15. (51.) 2005. no. 4. pp. 791 – 816.

The most important requirement for the use of Hungarian geographical names is that in texts written in Hungarian language, the Hungarian names of geographical objects should be used. Of course, if an object does not have a Hungarian name and no Hungarian name can be derived from the original name, then the foreign equivalent should be used. Unfortunately, the Hungarian geographical and cartographic literature and the organs using geographical names (media, official communications, transportation) do not always take into consideration this requirement, consequently the use of Hungarian geographical names is inconsistent. This negligence unnecessarily limits the use of Hungarian names, or in the worst case, the Hungarian equivalents might fade into oblivion.

The use of Hungarian geographical names needs to be based on the Hungarian name area. Name areas always stretch over the appropriate ethnic area. In the case of Hungarian names, the name area and the ethnic area extend significantly beyond the national borders. For this reason, the use of Hungarian geographical names can be justified even in areas that are very far from the borders of the current state, and even if the existence of the Hungarian names might only be known to researchers and cartographers. This article deals with the conceptual and practical aspects of the use of Hungarian geographical names, and also presents the various parts of the Hungarian name area. The extent of the use of Hungarian geographical names can be connected to political periods. During several periods, the use was subject to the principle of state centralism. The second part of the study traces the correspondences between Hungarian cartographic names and the appropriate political trends from 1867 to date.

Országos Széchényi Könyvtár Észrevételek