About the ISPN

The vision of the International Symposium on Place Names series is to advance research on place names and to provide a platform for international collaboration in this regard. As such, in addition to the symposium, a related workshop usually directly precedes the symposium.

History of the ISPN

Prof Peter E Raper, one of South Africa’s foremost experts on the Bushman (San) substructures of place names, was appointed as a Professor Extraordinaire in Linguistics at the UFS in 2011. Subsequently, his host department, together with the now-defunct Unit for Language Facilitation and Empowerment, initiated the Place Names Symposium. The hosting of the symposium is now situated within the newly restructured Department of South African Sign Language and Deaf Studies.
The symposium became an international occurrence when the Joint IGU/ICA Commission on Toponymy came on board in 2015. Hosted every second year, this symposium is the only one in Southern Africa that focuses exclusively on toponomy. The 2011 symposium, entitled 'Planning name changes – the quest for authenticity', was hosted in Bloemfontein, as was the one in 2013 with the theme, 'Place names in a multilingual society'. The symposium in 2015, which focused on 'Place names, diversity and heritage', was held in Clarens. The University of Namibia collaborated to host the 2017 symposium, 'Critical toponymy: place names in political, historical and commercial landscapes', in Windhoek, Namibia. ISPN returned to Clarens in 2019 with the theme 'Recognition, regulation, revitalisation: place names and indigenous languages'. The 2021 symposium was hosted virtually, with the theme 'Standardisation and the wealth of place names - aspects of a delicate relationship'. Up to now, every symposium was followed by an accredited publication.

Keynote speakers

Prof Myriam Vermeerbergen (KU Leuven, Belgium)
Prof Thapelo J Otlogetswe (University of Botswana, Botswana)

Language of the symposium and workshop

English, with professional South African Sign Language interpreting available. Please indicate requirement for SASL interpreting with registration.

Organising committee

Symposium Coordinator
Dr Chrismi Loth (University of the Free State, RSA)
kongresETFB@ufs.ac.za
Host: Prof Annalene van Staden (University of the Free State, RSA)
Resident members:
Prof Theodorus du Plessis (University of the Free State, RSA)
Dr Lucie A Möller (University of the Free State, RSA)
Joint IGU/ICA Commission on Toponymy:
IGU Chair: Prof Cosimo Palagiano (Sapienza University of Rome, Italy)
ICA Chair: Dr Matjaž Geršič (Anton Melik Geographical Institute, Slovenia)
ICA Past Chair: Prof Peter Jordan (Austrian Academy of Sciences, Austria / University of the Free State, RSA)
Common Vice-Chair: Prof Paulo Márcio Leal de Menezes (Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)
Member of the Steering Board: Prof Peter E Raper (University of the Free State, RSA)

Scientific panel

Prof Theodorus du Plessis (University of the Free State, RSA)
Prof Peter Jordan (Austrian Academy of Sciences, Austria / University of the Free State, RSA)
Prof ‘Maboleba Kolobe (National University of Lesotho, Lesotho)
Prof Paulo Márcio Leal de Menezes (Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)
Prof Cosimo Palagiano (Sapienza University of Rome, Italy)
Dr Matjaž Geršič (Anton Melik Geographical Institute, Slovenia)
Dr Petrus Angula Mbenzi (University of Namibia, Namibia)
Dr Boga Manatsha (University of Botswana, Botswana)
Dr Sambulo Ndlovu (Great Zimbabwe University, Zimbabwe)

Second call for papers

Download the 2023 ISPN Second Call for Papers.

Important dates

Programme

Fees and registration

Standard: R 3,500
Student: R 3,000
Workshop only: R 500

Symposium registration fee includes:
- The usual conference amenities
- Morning and afternoon snacks, as well as lunch on conference days
- Access to the virtual 2023 ISPN Workshop (delegates may attend screening at conference venue)
- Access to the virtual 2023 Afrilex Workshop (delegates may attend screening at conference venue)
- Please indicate requirement for SASL interpreting with registration

Registration fee DOES NOT include
- The conference dinner (R 450 per person, limited drinks, cash bar available)
- Excursion (R 820 per person)
- Delegates are responsible for their own transport and for booking their own accommodation (download information on Travel & Accommodation)

Registrations close 20 August and proof of payment is to be submitted by 20 August to kongresETFB@ufs.ac.za.