Ergonym


An ergonym is a proper name or title of an organization, that reflects its function. An ergonym is a unit of the linguistic space of a city.
An ergonym may be an important marker of sociocultural processes, and is one of the mirrors in which history and everyday life are reflected. To study the ergonyms of a place is to paint its linguistic portrait, describing the typical and individual aspects of its onomastic space, and making a snapshot of its everyday life.

Etymology

The term ergonym was first used in 1978 by the Russian linguist N. V. Podolskaya.
The term is derived. However, ergon can also be translated as 'work' or 'action'.

Definitions

There are different understandings of the term "ergonym". Some Latvian linguists consider it a proper noun, meaning an association of people created for a specific purpose.
In Russia, which has a long tradition of studying ergonyms, the term is defined in a similar way, as a proper noun denoting an association of people united by a specific direction and type of activity. Russian linguists define ergonyms as names that indicate the functional sphere of the association formed for the purpose of a certain action.
In German linguistics, the term is used to refer not only to the associations or unions of individuals, but also to names of goods and services, names of works of art, publications, broadcast items, children's toys, and the names of retail outlets such as cafés, shops, and hairdressers.
In Finland, researchers rarely use the term, and prefer "company name", "name in public space" or "commercial name". But for others, the concept of ergonym may be somewhat broader than that of merely a trading name or trademark. In their view, "ergonym" also describes the names of institutions such as schools, theatres, churches, and bureaucratic organizations.

Examples

TypeExamples
hotelHotel Carlton, Auberge de Soleil, Mandarin Oriental
corporationGeneral Motors, Giant Bicycles, Samsung Electronics
flag carrierBritish Airways, Brussels Airlines, EgyptAir
organizationthe Common Market, United Nations, International Committee of the Red Cross
agencythe Federal Bureau of Investigation, Global Travel International, Best Day Tour
shopCentralWorld, Missguided, Pretty Little Thing
schoolBurgess Hill Girls, CATS Canterbury, Woodcote House School
hospitalGreat Ormond Street Hospital, Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, Johns Hopkins Hospital
cinemaThe Screen On The Green, Greenwich Picturehouse, CinemaPark
caféLe Dome Cafe, Grand Cafe, Café Central
beauty salonThompson & Co, Salon Next, Fashion Look Studio
libraryNew York Public Library, State Library of Victoria, Trinity College Library
theatreGrauman's Chinese Theater, Boston Opera House, Palau de la Música Catalana
stadiumWembley Stadium, Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, Old Trafford Stadium
fitness centresMetroflex Gym, Original Temple Gym, Firehouse Fitness
banksC. Hoare & Co., Barclays Bank, Weglin & Co.

Formation

Ergonyms can be formed in different ways. Some linguists propose a classification of formation. This classification includes:
  1. Affixation, for example, "Интермебель, Супертрубы".
  2. Compounding, where an ergonym is formed by a combination of two or more word stems. For example, "KinoRooms", "MissAmor".
  3. Abbreviation, for example "DHL", "DNS", "V&L".
  4. Ergonyms can be created with the help of a numerical component such as "Boutique No. 7, est. 1910".
  5. Ergonyms that have unknown meaning or origin, such as "Bershka", "Oodji", "Kari".
Other linguists propose a different classification that includes:
  1. Ergonyms formed from adjectives, verbs, participles, numerals, adverbs, particles, interjections. For example, "Rendez-vous", "Déjà vu", "Respect".
  2. Ergonyms in the form of phrases and sentences. Names of two or more words are more informative and semantically expanded. For example, "Petit cafe", "C'est la Vie", "Shaping Queen".
  3. Plays on words. These form the largest class. For example, Любовь-морковь, Кроваткино.
  4. Ergonyms formed from anthroponyms, toponyms, mythonyms, the names of living things, These may be explained by their being easily recognized by many people, by their having many different meanings, and by the implication that their characteristics are transferred to the ergonomical entity.
  5. Ergonyms formed from obsolete words, jargon or slang. For example, "Очкарик, Ёшкин Кот"
  6. Loanwords. For example, "Angel", "Nota Bene", "Бонжур".

Function

An ergonym may have functions beside being a proper name. It might also be:
  1. Informative
  2. Advertising
  3. Aesthetic
  4. Memorial
  5. Denoting property protection such as a trademark.