In January 2016, the scholars of the American Name Society selected “Caitlyn Jenner” as the official Name of the Year for 2015. One of the main reasons for this decision was the socio-historical significance that this name had in highlighting the importance of transgenderism across the United States and the around the world. The process of selecting a new name to mark one’s declaration of self is a common and often highly emotional experience for people within the transgender community. In her TIME article, Katy Steinmetz discusses how some prominent transgender people went about this process.
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Tackling Naming Questions in Gay or Lesbian Families
One of the interesting questions that new same-sex parents often face is what names their children should use to distinguish between them. In a family with two differently gendered parents, this issue is often fairly straight-forward (e.g. Mom and Dad; Ma and Pa). But in families with two moms or two dads, creativity is often called for. In a great video by Brandy and Susan of The Next Family, the two moms discuss how they dealt with finding names within their own family.
“Coincidence Detector”: The Name-based, White Supremacist Google Chrome Extension
The Google Chrome extension Coincidence Detector, which has since been removed from the Chrome store, identified Jews and other “anti-white” individuals. The Coincidence Detector detected based on a regularly updated database of names. The browser extension had a White Supremacist user base and following.
Filling the Periodic Table: New Names for the Newest Elements
If the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) has its way, the world’s periodic table will have four new names added. Planned for the lower right-hand corner, the names of the new chemical elements are moscovium (Mc); nihonium (Nh), tennessine (Ts), and oganesson (Og). According to the IUPAC rules, elements must be named after a mythological concept, a mineral, a scientist, one of their physical or chemical properties, or a place. The name for element 113, for example, was derived from the Japanese word “Nihon” or “Japan”. After much debate, this name won out over its leading competitor, “Japonium”. By the same token, Elements 115 and 117, owe their names to the toponyms “Moscow” and “Tennessee”. Unless there are major objections, these chemical monikers will become officially enshrined in the table this coming Autumn.
Protesters rally against Pikachu’s new name
Recently, angry demonstrators armed with banners rallied in front of the Consulate General of Japan. What was the fight over? If you ask the protesters, they would probably answer history, culture, identity, and corporate bullying. At the center of the firestorm is the name of a cute, little, yellow, red cheeked…uh…critter named Bei Ka Chiu aka Pikachu. If Nintendo has its way, this beloved figure will be known the world over Pei Ka Yau in Cantonese.
International Interdisciplinary Conference on Lexicography, Paris, France, December 1-2 2016
From the 1st to the 2nd of December 2016, an international interdisciplinary conference on lexicography will be held in Paris, France. Visit the website for more information (in French) about this event.
3rd International Lexicography Symposium, Eskişehir, Turkey, November 3-4 2016
From the 3rd to the 4th of November 2016, the 3rd International Lexicography Symposium will be hosted in Eskişehir, Turkey. The deadline for abstract submissions in the 1st of July 2016. Visit their website for more on the topics of interest, guest speakers, and registration.
Tokelau tops country domain name list
Any idea what the most popular country domain name in the internet is today? If you guessed the United States, Germany, or India, you’re way off base. With more than 31 more registered addresses the most popular toponymic domain name is…Tokelau. Never heard of it? Learn what Tokelau has what so many other nations don’t.
Cattle Brand Names at the Canadian Society for the Study of Names
At the recent meeting of the Canadian Society for the Study of Names / Société canadienne d’onomastique in Calgary, Alberta, Dr. Carol Lombard delivered the keynote address on her doctoral research about cattle brands in Montana.
The Sioux Nickname Is Gone, but North Dakota Hockey Fans Haven’t Moved On
In 2012, after a seven-year battle with the NCAA, the North Dakota men’s hockey team finally acquiesced and officially changed their team name to the “Fighting Hawks”. The North Dakota voters overwhelmingly supported the name change. However, as a quick look in the stands of a hockey game shows, diehard fans have remained resistant to the change. The team’s older name, The Fighting Sioux, remains stubbornly popular among many team fans.