The Brazilian Geographical Names Beyond Bibliographic References
ISBN 978-85-88783-11-9
Authors
1Mathias, M.
1IBGE Email: marcia.mathias@ibge.gov.br
Abstract
Abstract There are words that only the topographic mapping will present to the general society through geographical names or toponymy which names the geographical elements, therefore, becoming one of the layers of cartographic information. However, though most geographical names are assigned by the local inhabitants of a certain geographical area, many of these names are not found in dictionaries, spelling vocabulary, encyclopedias or other kinds of references, but even so they are not recognized and respected. A topographic mapping, among other purposes, has public faith, so the toponymy needs to follow pre-established standards, undergo a special treatment, and pass a final review, so that it is written according to the spelling rules of the Portuguese language and the tradition of collective use that are basic to the standardization of geographical names principles as guides to the UN. In this sense, the Reference Center of Geographical Names (CRNG) from the Department of Cartography of the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE) has as its main assignment is to review and correct the geographical names. However, a large number of those names which usually have an eccentric or peculiar spelling characteristics, do not possess literature accreditation. Such names are standardized respecting the culture, history and traditions, and anthropological criteria considered in the description of the cartographic criteria. To present a rehearsal for the preparation of a toponymic dictionary, to assist in field surveys, to be used in grammatical class, and to establish the meaning of existing geographical names in the Brazilian mapping that do not have bibliographic references yet. The toponymic universe is beyond bibliographic references as geographical names have a subjective character as it falls within the area of knowledge of the humanities, and the ability to create speaker-listener is infinite, but significant, since every appointment has a toponymic and / or historical, cultural or social motivation, thereby incorporating the name to the lexicon of the English language, and as such deserves to be in dictionaries. Therefore, a toponymic dictionary not only helps to supplement the lexicon of our language but also subsidize the process of standardization of the Brazilian geographical names.