Open access
CONTEMPORARY NAMING TRENDS IN AN URBAN AREA. EXAMPLES OF ŁÓDŹ AND PABIANICE
Aleksandra RZEPKOWSKA1
Informational and Cultural Challenges
Publication language: Polish
Journal article
Transformations No. 1-2 (104-105) 2020, Publication date: 16 June 2020
Keywords: cultural onomastics, proper names, naming trends, urban area, hair salons, beauty salons
Abstract Present article is a contribution to so-called “cultural onomastics”. It concerns the contemporary naming trends and the names of hair and beauty salons in Poland and is based on the examples of Łódź and Pabianice – two urban areas located in central Poland. For the purpose of the analysis the authoress of the article has used over 300 onyms. This material has not been compared in detail with the analogical set of names present in other parts of the country. However, taking into consideration dynamic integration processes, e.g. resulting from the development of means of transport and contemporary mass-media (the Internet in particular) one may consider this group representative and, to a large extent, illustrating the global (not just the local) naming trends. The analysis of contemporary chrematonyms in Łódź and Pabianice has shown that the dominating terms are the promotional and advertising ones (which corresponds with the grounded and established naming trend) and those referring to some specific features of the field. There are relatively few original, controversial or unpredictable names. A high number of English, and English-style names reflects strong globalisation trends in Poland (at least since the period of transformation), a specific cult of the West and the international status of the English language.
Katedra Pedagogiki Społecznej, Wydział Nauk o Wychowaniu, Uniwersytet Łódzki, Polska
E-mail: aleksandra.rzepkowska@now.uni.lodz.pl