| dc.description.abstract | The aim of the thesis is to examine the nomenclature of the Barra
Isles by investigating the distribution and interaction of Norse, Gaelic
and English name-forming elements. Consideration is given to
the historical, political and economic reasons for changes in placenames,
and the language situation is assessed. In a theory-based
chapter the function of names, naming strategies, name changes,
and reasons for loss of names are examined. The main thrust is to
compile a gazetteer of place-names gathered both from historical
documents such as maps, sea-charts, registers and travel literature,
and from interviews with local people. With the help of a database
the corpus is analysed with regard to semantics, morphology and
naming intention. Finally, a consideration of the historical development
of names illustrates degrees of stability and of change in the
place-names of Barra. | en |
