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This one-off session explores the fascinating linguistic concepts of exonyms (names used by outsiders) and endonyms (names used by insiders). Through real-world examples, we’ll examine how place names are not just labels, but carry meaning, identity, power, and politics.
We’ll focus on how names operate at different levels:
Denotation - the literal reference (the place itself)
Connotation - the associations, histories, and emotions a name carries
By looking at how names change-and why-we will uncover how language reflects cultural identity, colonial history, and shifting political realities.
What will we cover?
We will explore a range of accessible and engaging examples, including:
Myanmar vs Burma - political change, colonial legacy, and international recognition
Türkiye vs Turkey - national rebranding and identity on the global stage
Macedonia vs North Macedonia - disputes over history, identity, and naming rights
We will also look at other interesting cases:
Persia → Iran
Ceylon → Sri Lanka
Beijing vs Peking
Ivory Coast vs Côte d’Ivoire
A key UK-based case study will examine how these issues have entered public awareness:
The formal adoption of Welsh-only place names in Wales, including Eryri (Snowdonia) and Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) and how this demonstrates the interplay between language, identity, and policy within a bilingual nation.
Throughout, we will link these examples to linguistic concepts such as naming practices, semantic change, and the relationship between language and identity.
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
Understand and confidently explain the difference between exonyms and endonyms
Analyse how place names function in terms of denotation and connotation
Recognise how political, cultural, and historical forces influence naming
Discuss contemporary debates about naming with greater confidence
Identify and reflect on examples of naming in your own experience
Develop a more critical awareness of how language shapes perception of the world
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This course is suitable for complete beginners with an interest in language, culture, or current affairs. No prior knowledge of linguistics is required-just curiosity and a willingness to think about everyday words in new ways.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
This course is suitable for complete beginners with an interest in language, culture, or current affairs. No prior knowledge of linguistics is required-just curiosity and a willingness to think about everyday words in new ways.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
No additional costs. Please just bring your curiosity-no materials required.
Welsh/Swedish: Raised in the Welsh-speaking heartland of north Pembrokeshire, Jack has taught Welsh to adults since 2017 in London, Cardiff and online. He has a particular interest in using phonetic approaches to improve learners’ pronunciation and teaches interactive pronunciation workshops. A keen language learner, Jack began studying Swedish at City Lit and quickly became obsessed by this fascinating Germanic language. He holds an advanced certificate in Swedish from Folkuniversitetet (Göteborg) and coordinates Scandinavian language courses at City Lit. As a tutor on workshops and beginner level courses, Jack enjoys helping learners to overcome the challenges that he himself faced as a learner. Sociolinguistics: Jack completed his PhD at Ysgol y Gymraeg (Cardiff University) in 2023, where he researched how linguistic backgrounds of adult learners of Welsh affect their pronunciation. Jack teaches introductory courses on language policy and attitudes in Sweden, the history of the Welsh language, and the pragmatics of politeness. He brings theoretical insight to help learners understand how language is viewed, used and changed.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
product
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/what-s-in-a-name3074926What's in a name?https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/Global_Regional_Politics_.jpg2929GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Politics & economics/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Politics & economics/Global & regional politics228511771677135421228511771677<p>A lively introduction to how names shape our view of the world, exploring why places can have multiple names-and why it matters.</p>003074899What's in a name?2929https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/Global_Regional_Politics_.jpgInStockDaytimeMonKeeley StreetAvailable coursesOne-off onlyWeekday2027-01-11T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allJan 2027Culture, history & humanitiesHPC3732929What's in a name?231929Jack Pulman-Slaterwhat-s-in-a-name/hpc373-2627<p>A lively introduction to how names shape our view of the world, exploring why places can have multiple names-and why it matters.</p>0000-Available|2027-01-11 00:00:00<p>This one-off session explores the fascinating linguistic concepts of exonyms (names used by outsiders) and endonyms (names used by insiders). Through real-world examples, we’ll examine how place names are not just labels, but carry meaning, identity, power, and politics.</p><p>We’ll focus on how names operate at different levels:</p><ul><li>Denotation - the literal reference (the place itself)</li><li>Connotation - the associations, histories, and emotions a name carries</li></ul><p>By looking at how names change-and why-we will uncover how language reflects cultural identity, colonial history, and shifting political realities.</p><p>A lively introduction to how names shape our view of the world, exploring why places can have multiple names-and why it matters.</p><p>We will explore a range of accessible and engaging examples, including:</p><ul><li>Myanmar vs Burma - political change, colonial legacy, and international recognition</li><li>Türkiye vs Turkey - national rebranding and identity on the global stage</li><li>Macedonia vs North Macedonia - disputes over history, identity, and naming rights</li></ul><p>We will also look at other interesting cases:</p><ul><li>Persia → Iran</li><li>Ceylon → Sri Lanka</li><li>Beijing vs Peking</li><li>Ivory Coast vs Côte d’Ivoire</li></ul><p>A key UK-based case study will examine how these issues have entered public awareness:</p><p>The formal adoption of Welsh-only place names in Wales, including Eryri (Snowdonia) and Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) and how this demonstrates the interplay between language, identity, and policy within a bilingual nation. <br><br>Throughout, we will link these examples to linguistic concepts such as naming practices, semantic change, and the relationship between language and identity.</p><ul><li>Understand and confidently explain the difference between exonyms and endonyms</li><li>Analyse how place names function in terms of denotation and connotation</li><li>Recognise how political, cultural, and historical forces influence naming</li><li>Discuss contemporary debates about naming with greater confidence</li><li>Identify and reflect on examples of naming in your own experience</li><li>Develop a more critical awareness of how language shapes perception of the world</li></ul><p>This course is suitable for complete beginners with an interest in language, culture, or current affairs. No prior knowledge of linguistics is required-just curiosity and a willingness to think about everyday words in new ways.</p><p>This course is suitable for complete beginners with an interest in language, culture, or current affairs. No prior knowledge of linguistics is required-just curiosity and a willingness to think about everyday words in new ways.</p><p>No additional costs. Please just bring your curiosity-no materials required.</p><p><a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/politics-and-world-affairs/global-regional-politics" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Explore all our global and regional politics courses here.</a></p>Politics & economicsGlobal & regional politicsvirtual232919HPC373NONEMon11/01/2710:30 - 12:3010:3012:301 session1One-off onlyDaytimeWeekdayKSKeeley StreetJack Pulman-SlaterBeginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allAvailable courses2027-01-11T00:00:00+00:00Jan 2027Culture, history & humanities2929What's in a name?what-s-in-a-name/hpc373-2627<p>A lively introduction to how names shape our view of the world, exploring why places can have multiple names-and why it matters.</p>0000-Available|2027-01-11 00:00:00<p>This one-off session explores the fascinating linguistic concepts of exonyms (names used by outsiders) and endonyms (names used by insiders). Through real-world examples, we’ll examine how place names are not just labels, but carry meaning, identity, power, and politics.</p><p>We’ll focus on how names operate at different levels:</p><ul><li>Denotation - the literal reference (the place itself)</li><li>Connotation - the associations, histories, and emotions a name carries</li></ul><p>By looking at how names change-and why-we will uncover how language reflects cultural identity, colonial history, and shifting political realities.</p><p>A lively introduction to how names shape our view of the world, exploring why places can have multiple names-and why it matters.</p><p>We will explore a range of accessible and engaging examples, including:</p><ul><li>Myanmar vs Burma - political change, colonial legacy, and international recognition</li><li>Türkiye vs Turkey - national rebranding and identity on the global stage</li><li>Macedonia vs North Macedonia - disputes over history, identity, and naming rights</li></ul><p>We will also look at other interesting cases:</p><ul><li>Persia → Iran</li><li>Ceylon → Sri Lanka</li><li>Beijing vs Peking</li><li>Ivory Coast vs Côte d’Ivoire</li></ul><p>A key UK-based case study will examine how these issues have entered public awareness:</p><p>The formal adoption of Welsh-only place names in Wales, including Eryri (Snowdonia) and Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) and how this demonstrates the interplay between language, identity, and policy within a bilingual nation. <br><br>Throughout, we will link these examples to linguistic concepts such as naming practices, semantic change, and the relationship between language and identity.</p><ul><li>Understand and confidently explain the difference between exonyms and endonyms</li><li>Analyse how place names function in terms of denotation and connotation</li><li>Recognise how political, cultural, and historical forces influence naming</li><li>Discuss contemporary debates about naming with greater confidence</li><li>Identify and reflect on examples of naming in your own experience</li><li>Develop a more critical awareness of how language shapes perception of the world</li></ul><p>This course is suitable for complete beginners with an interest in language, culture, or current affairs. No prior knowledge of linguistics is required-just curiosity and a willingness to think about everyday words in new ways.</p><p>This course is suitable for complete beginners with an interest in language, culture, or current affairs. No prior knowledge of linguistics is required-just curiosity and a willingness to think about everyday words in new ways.</p><p>No additional costs. Please just bring your curiosity-no materials required.</p><p><a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/politics-and-world-affairs/global-regional-politics" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Explore all our global and regional politics courses here.</a></p>Politics & economicsGlobal & regional politicsconfigurable
