About the ISPN

The vision of the International Symposium on Place Names (ISPN) series is to advance research on place names. Hosted biennially, this event serves as a platform for local and international collaboration on toponymic matters. In addition to the symposium, a related workshop is also presented. Each symposium is followed by a proceedings that is prepared in line with DHET criteria for accreditation. Up to now, every publication has been accredited by DHET.

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, the Department of South African Sign Language and Deaf Studies, incorporating the Unit for Language Facilitation and Empowerment, initiated the Place Names Symposium. In 2015 the symposium became an international occurrence when the Joint IGU/ICA Commission on Toponymy came on board. The ICOS Working Group on Toponymy (International Council on Onomastic Sciences) joined in 2024. The Scientific Panel is made up of representatives from the organising institutions as well as scholars from the surrounding countries (Lesotho, Eswatini, Namibia, Botswana, and Zimbabwe).

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'. From this year onwards, a special emphasis is placed on the niche area of signed toponymy, or place names in signed languages. In 2023, ISPN was hosted in conjunction with the African Association for Lexicography (Afrilex) on the Bloemfontein campus of the University of the Free State, with the theme ‘The presence of minority and indigenous languages in urban naming’. ISPN 2025 will be hosted once again in Clarens, with a focus on ‘Harmonising toponymic heritage: balancing standardisation and local diversity’.

Language of the symposium and workshop

English, with professional South African Sign Language interpreting available if enough interest is indicated. Presentations in SASL may also be arranged.

Organising Committee

Department of South African Sign Language and Deaf Studies, University of the Free State

• Host: Prof Annalene van Staden (University of the Free State, RSA)
• Facilitator: Dr Chrismi Loth (University of the Free State, RSA)
• Prof Theodorus du Plessis (University of the Free State, RSA)
• Jani de Lange (University of the Free State, RSA)

Joint ICA/IGU Commission on Toponymy:

• ICA Chair: Dr Matjaž Geršič (Anton Melik Geographical Institute, Slovenia)
• IGU Chair: Prof Elena Dai Prà (University of Trento, Italy)

ICOS Working Group on Toponymy:

• Chair: Prof Peter Jordan (Austrian Academy of Sciences, Austria / University of the Free State, RSA)

Scientific Committee

• Prof Elena Dai Prà (University of Trento, Italy)
• 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 Marie Antoinette Rieger (University of Bologna, Italy)
• Dr Matjaž Geršič (Anton Melik Geographical Institute, Slovenia)
• Dr Boga Manatsha (University of Botswana, Botswana)
• Dr Petrus Angula Mbenzi (University of Namibia, Namibia)
• Dr Sambulo Ndlovu (University of Eswatini, Eswatini / Great Zimbabwe University, Zimbabwe)
• Dr Maleshoane Rapeane-Mathonsi (Durban University of Technology, RSA)

For further information, join our group on LinkedIn or reach out to the facilitator at KongresETFB@ufs.ac.za.

Previous ISPNs

• 2025 (Clarens, RSA): Harmonising toponymic heritage: balancing standardisation and local diversity
• 2023 (Bloemfontein, RSA): The presence of minority and indigenous languages in urban naming
• 2021 (Virtual): Standardisation and the wealth of place names - aspects of a delicate relationship
• 2019 (Clarens, RSA): Recognition, regulation, revitalisation: place names and indigenous languages
• 2017 (Windhoek, Namibia): Critical toponymy: place names in political, historical and commercial landscapes
• 2015 (Clarens, RSA): Place names, diversity and heritage
• 2013 (Bloemfontein, RSA): Place names in a multilingual society
• 2011 (Bloemfontein, RSA: Planning name changes – the quest for authenticity

About the LDESC

The vision of the LDESC is to advance research on language-related challenges in the education domain, with a focus on South African Sign Language.

History of the LDESC
As part of a collaborative project with the University of Namur (Belgium), the LDESC was first established as the Language Diversity in Educational Settings Workshop in 2017). After the partnership concluded, the Department of South African Sign Language and Deaf Studies (incorporating the Unit for Language Facilitation and Empowerment) continued the initiative.

The colloquium is hosted every second year. The inaugural event with the theme, was hosted in 2017 in Bloemfontein. The 2018 event took place in Namur, Belgium. In 2020 an online convention was held, entitled ‘Making a change through sign language’. 2022 was skipped. In 2024, the colloquium was nestled into the SAALT conference, themed ‘SASL as official language – language teaching and learning challenges and opportunities’.

Language of the symposium and workshop

English and South African Sign Language, with professional interpreting available.

Conference publication

Up to now, every ISPN has been followed by a DHET-accredited publication.

Organising Committee

 - Colloquium Coordinator

• Dr Chrismi Loth (University of the Free State, RSA) kongresETFB@ufs.ac.za
• Prof Theodorus du Plessis (University of the Free State, RSA)
• Susan Lombaard (University of the Free State, RSA)
• Annemarie le Roux (University of the Free State, RSA)

Scientific Committee

• Prof Annalene van Staden (University of the Free State, RSA)
• Prof Myriam Vermeerbergen (Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium)
• Prof Theodorus du Plessis (University of the Free State, RSA)
• Dr Marga Stander (Sol Plaatje University, RSA)
• Dr Mirriam Ganiso (University of Fort Hare, RSA)

In Pursuit of Societal Harmony

• Workshop on managing Language diversity management in educational settings in Namur and Bloemfontein (RSA) - Namur, Belgium, November 2018
• Workshop on managing language diversity management in educational settings in Namur (BE) and Bloemfontein - Bloemfontein, RSA 15 May 2017
• 19th NSSA International Conference - Bloemfontein, RSA 20-22 September 2016
• MIDP IV Third International Symposium - Qwaqwa, RSA 11-14 September 2012

For further information, join our group on LinkedIn or reach out to the facilitator at KongresETFB@ufs.ac.za.