1151 | 9 | geographic names of ethno-linguistic minority origin in bulgaria: regulation and approaches | Bilyana Borisova1, Ivaylo Stamenkov1, Boian Koulov2
This chapter aims to describe the transformation of toponyms of ethno-linguistic minority origin in Bulgaria since its Liberation in 1878. It characterizes the peculiarities of geographic names’ standardization in the different historical periods, identifies and analyzes the relevant institutions, legal regulations, and implemented public policy approaches, used in the process. The study concludes that Bulgarian society attaches great importance to naming and re-naming of settlements, in particular, but of the other geographic objects as well. Therefore, the place name standardization responsibilities and regulation are generally split between the highest, non-political institution that represents the whole nation – the Presidency – and the lowest administrative territorial level – the Municipal Councils – which is closest to the citizens and, according to the Constitution, embody local self-government. Toponymy standardization of ethno-linguistic minority origin is not separated from the ongoing regular transformation of geographic names in the country. The overall number of toponym changes decreases after the political transformation of the late 1980s, which is even more typical for place names of minority origin.
Bilyana Borisova1, Ivaylo Stamenkov1, Boian Koulov2
1. Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”; 2. Climate, Atmosphere and Waters Institute at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences
ID Abstract: 9