Auschwitz vs. Oświęcim. Linguistic commentary Cover Image

Auschwitz kontra Oświęcim. Komentarz lingwistyczny
Auschwitz vs. Oświęcim. Linguistic commentary

Author(s): Henryk Duda
Subject(s): Christian Theology and Religion, Applied Linguistics, Recent History (1900 till today), Special Historiographies:
Published by: Wydawnictwo Naukowe Akademii im. Jakuba z Paradyża
Keywords: proper names in discourse; metaphorical uses of proper names; appelativization of proper names; cultural connotations of proper names; versions of proper names across languages

Summary/Abstract: The article examines afresh the postulate raised for several years that the names Auschwitz and Oświęcim be differentiated in such a way that Auschwitz should refer to the extermination camp and Oświęcim to the town where the camp was situated. The author ofthe article argues that etymology will not help to solve the problem as historically both namesare validated, although undoubtedly Auschwitz is a Germanized version of the Polish nameOświęcim. The above-mentioned differentiation can only be justified on the assumption thatAuschwitz and Oświęcim are not only proper names, but also metaphors, symbols, or properplace names that underwent appelativization. The problem lies in the metaphorical, secondary use of these place names that casts a shadow over the contemporary town of Oświęcim andits residents and may lend support to allegations of their co-responsibility for Holocaust. Theauthor concludes by saying that Polish texts should use the name Oświęcim when referring tothe town, while foreign texts may use the foreign versions (e.g., the German word Auschwitz orJewish Oszpicyn). In the case of non-primary, metaphorical uses, the author prefers Auschwitz.Keywords: proper names in discourse, metaphorical uses of proper names, appelativization ofproper names, cultural connotations of proper names, versions of proper names across languages

  • Issue Year: 19/2019
  • Issue No: 1
  • Page Range: 17-28
  • Page Count: 12
  • Language: Polish