Place names, or toponyms, may represent the best-known specimens of the American variant of English. Like other “Americanisms,” they may be the product of composition, derivation, or borrowing from another language. A glance at a map shows that they, too, have their regularities and patterns of regional distribution, and they are able to provide important clues to the history of the nation. For those who take an in-depth look, they tell stories about the origin of those who gave the names, their hopes and beliefs, and of persons they wanted to honor.
The scope of this paper only permits the presentation of a sample of toponyms to illustrate some of the most influential processes of name formation, and it will be limited to names of settlements, even though similar processes were at work in naming natural topographical features and administrative units.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- The Sixteenth Century
- The Spanish Explorers in the East
- The English Explorers
- The Seventeenth Century
- The English Settlers
- The Dutch Settlers
- The Swedish Settlers
- The Defeat of the Dutch
- The French Explorers
- European Encounters in America
- The Quakers
- The Eighteenth Century
- Conquest of the West
- The Spanish Explorers in the West
- Difficulties of Pronunciation
- The Birth of a Nation
- The Nineteenth Century
- Classical Renascence
- Foreign Influence and New Patterns
- New Territory
- The Deep South and the Far West
- Before the Civil War
- After the Civil War
- The Twentieth Century
- Closing of the Frontier
- Alaska and Hawai'i
- Epilog
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This paper examines the historical development of place names in the United States, focusing on the processes of name formation and the influences that have shaped them. The aim is to provide a chronological account of how names have been chosen, adapted, and borrowed from various sources, highlighting the significant role of English, Spanish, and Amerindian languages in this process.
- The evolution of place names in the United States from the 16th to the 20th centuries.
- The impact of historical events, such as exploration, settlement, and political changes, on place-naming practices.
- The influence of different cultures and languages on the development of American toponyms, particularly English, Spanish, and Amerindian.
- The processes of name formation, including composition, derivation, and borrowing.
- The regional distribution of place names and their connection to historical and geographical factors.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
The paper begins with an introduction that defines the concept of toponyms and highlights their significance in understanding American history. It then dives into a chronological exploration of place names, starting with the 16th century, the era of Spanish exploration, and continuing through the 17th, 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries. Each chapter examines the specific influences and practices of name-giving in different periods, including the roles of English settlers, Dutch settlers, French explorers, and the impact of the American Revolution. It also explores the influence of Amerindian languages and the evolution of pronunciation and adaptation of names.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
This paper focuses on the key terms and concepts of toponymy, including place names, American English, historical linguistics, cultural influences, geographical distribution, and name formation processes. It explores how these elements contribute to the rich tapestry of American place names, reflecting the nation's diverse heritage and history.
- Quote paper
- Dr. phil. Thomas J. Kinne (Author), 1982, Place Names in the U.S.A., Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/69841
