How geographical names preserve our heritage, languages and identity

Every day, we use the names of places without considering the wealth of knowledge they hold. From the street we live on to the river we cross, these names can carry a language, history, memory, and cultural practices. As South Africa celebrates Heritage Month, it is crucial to pay closer attention to the names in our surroundings and reflect on what they reveal about our identity and heritage.

Our heritage extends beyond museums, monuments, archives, and formal traditions; it also resides in the landscapes we inhabit and the names we use to describe them. A name may seem like a simple mark on a map or signboard, but it is also passed down through conversations, memory, and daily speech, connecting one generation to the next.

This is particularly significant in a linguistically and culturally diverse country like South Africa. Indigenous languages contain knowledge about the landscapes, communities, and histories from which they originate. A place name may describe a physical feature, commemorate an event, preserve a person or community's memory, or reflect how people interacted with their environment.

As such, geographical naming intersects with Indigenous Knowledge Systems. Geographical names contain more than just the location; they can offer insights into the landscape, resources, movement, community relationships, and the significance of a place to its inhabitants. Communities possess knowledge about places that maps cannot convey, such as the reasons behind a river's name, its history, and the landscape's significance.

This knowledge is preserved in language and memory, making geographical names part of a place's living heritage. The language of a geographical name also matters. Communities continue to use African-language place names in everyday speech alongside official names. These names carry familiarity, meaning, and a sense of belonging, making them deeply embedded in communities.

Thus, correct spelling and pronunciation are vital for preserving linguistic integrity and the meaning and heritage within the name. Geographical naming is about more than just replacing one name with another; it involves researching and documenting names, naming previously unnamed features, correcting and standardising names, considering language and orthography, preserving meanings and histories, and engaging with communities.

Official naming processes in Gauteng have included spelling and orthographic corrections, reminding us of the importance of language in a geographical name. This broader understanding of naming is essential because preservation and transformation are not mutually exclusive. South Africa's naming landscape was significantly shaped by colonialism and apartheid, with many names reflecting specific histories and power systems while marginalising indigenous languages, communities, and histories.

Transforming the naming landscape can help recognize histories and identities that were previously unrecognized. However, changing a name does not mean erasing the earlier name or dismissing the exclusion of certain stories. Geographical names can hold difficult histories and cherished memories, reflecting relationships between people and place.

This is why thoughtful geographical naming is crucial. Communities are often the custodians of knowledge not found in formal records. They may know the history behind a name, its original pronunciation, associated stories, and its usage across generations. Listening to their memories, languages, oral histories, and experiences is vital for meaningful public participation in geographical naming.

During Heritage Month, we are often encouraged to celebrate South Africa's cultures, languages, and histories. Geographical names offer an accessible entry point for this conversation. We don't need to visit a heritage site to encounter our heritage. We can start with the names around us, such as the street outside our homes.