Between plan and its realization. On hodonyms in the city of Białystok during World War II under German occupation Cover Image

Zwischen dem Plan und seiner Realisierung. Zu den Hodonymen in der Stadt Białystok im Zweiten Weltkrieg unter deutscher Besatzung
Between plan and its realization. On hodonyms in the city of Białystok during World War II under German occupation

Author(s): Andrzej S. Feret
Subject(s): Sociolinguistics
Published by: Oficyna Wydawnicza ATUT – Wrocławskie Wydawnictwo Oświatowe
Keywords: urban names; change of street designations; German influence on Polish;

Summary/Abstract: Street names have not only the function of a topographical-spatial orientation but they also reflect the history and are a cultural and political instrument. At the time of the National Socialist dictatorship, street names were changed in Germany. Also in the cities of Poland, in the Second World War many streets and squares were renamed. The aim of this paper is to examine and describe the change of urban names in Białystok in the years 1939-1944, when Poland was under German occupation. A strong influence of the German language is apparent in German designations and more or less successful translations of Polish hodonyms. Nevertheless, some place and street designations still show their Polish origin. The paper discusses the extent of German influence on the official language of city plans and the ways in which the Polish streets were renamed. Moreover, an attempt is being made to determine which trends can be observed in urban designations.

  • Issue Year: 2019
  • Issue No: 8
  • Page Range: 95-109
  • Page Count: 15
  • Language: German