11th International Conference of the Asian Association for Lexicography (ASIALEX), Guangzhou, China, June 10-12, 2017

2212723409_4904df45f7_mThe 11th International Conference of the Asian Association for Lexicography (ASIALEX 2017) will be held at Guangdong University of Foreign Studies (GDUFS) in Guangzhou, China from the 10th to the 12 of June 2017. This conference will mark the 20th anniversary of ASIALEX. For inquiries regarding paper submission requirements and registration procedures, use the following email address: asialex2017@126.com.

Why we change our names

indexnameAbout 22,000 Canadians change their names each year. This article about changed names, discusses the many issues behind an individual’s decision to go through this bureaucratic process. The author interviews both Diane Dechief, former vice-president of the Canadian Society for the Study of Names, and Dr. Iman Nick, president of the American Name Society.

Controversy over Blackfoot names for new Calgary development

8504676086_74a1a4558d_mCanadian Council members recently decided to name the streets of an up and coming development adjacent to Canada’s Olympic Park in honor Calgary’s rich indigenous history. After consultation with Blackfoot elders in the area, several toponyms were selected. Although the idea itself was initially applauded by Canadians both inside and outside of the Blackfoot community, an unexpected debate subsequently erupted over the language to be used for the street names. While some would prefer English translations, others argue that the Blackfoot originals should be used instead. Read more about this onomastic controversy.

Word Meaning Workshop, University of the Basque Country, November 2-3, 2016

27622702944_7a263fdc6e_mFrom the 2nd to the 3rd of November 2016, the University of the Basque Country will hold an international workshop devoted to examining the underlying meaning of words. The workshop will provide a discursive platform for scholars in the fields of linguistics, pragmatics, philosophy and cognitive science to share their unique scientific perspectives on word meaning. A special focus will be placed on polysemy and the nature of word meaning representation.