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Working Groups of Iranian
Committee for Standardization of Geographical Names
Six working group include
working group on geographical names website and database,
working
group on terminology, working
group on romanization system,
working group on
under sea features names,
working group on
exonym, working group
on historical names are working for this committee that are shown in
the following chart.
Working group of web site and Data Base Geographical Names
Chair:
Mr. Behdad Ghazanfari
Colleague: Mr. Mehran Maghsoudi
Mr. Abolfazl Bolandiyan
Mr. Dadfar Manavi
Working group with considering to difference tasks
means preparation the web site of Iran geographical names and creating
geographical names base started its activities, in tow parts:
In the first part with checking activities back ground
in the field of data base creating in side of country and checking other
countries bases and also checking extraction able in formation of
1:25000 maps that are considerable as the base for information of this
base and information of other related organizations and offices, bases
in formation fields are explained as bellow:
1- Feature type (with noted to Standard for Geographical Names Database)
2- Feature Names.
3- Transcription of Feature Names 4- Administration divisions
5- Coordinate (Geographical, Fie, Lan)
6- Sheet number of 1:250000 and 1:25000 maps.
7- Special code of feature in geographical names data base (IGNB)
8- Representation of feature position on the 1:1000000 Map
9- Photo (of Important manmade and natural feature)
10-Date of Name receiving
This Data base query can take on 3 ways.
A- Query base on Names.
B- Query bas of special cods.
C- Query base on map and coordinates.
In the field of transcription of geographical names,
transcription of area of countries divisions and their centers up to
district had considered that more that half of it has done and after
checking by transcription working group they can enter to database. In
the second part creating the web site of Iran geographical names are in
mind. For doing this work many web sites of other countries that they
have long back activity is this field are checked.
Working
Group on Terminology of Geographical Names
Chair:
Dr. Jafar Shaali
Colleague: Dr.Firuz Refahi
Working group of terminology has started its. Duty
according to special assignments. The group member consisting of experts
in linguistic, geographer and terminologist has started their first
assignment on trans Latin of geographical names. The group has started
working on the last version of glossary of terms for the standardization
of ,geographical names, which has been prepared by working group of
terminology in 2002 in 6 UN languages. This glossary has 375 current
terms of standardization of geographical names. This terms has Persian
equivalent and related scientific explanation. Part of them are
suggested by various translations in their works of which the most
suitable ones has been selected. Working group has based his work on
English version, which has been suggested by UN. The third groups of
terms are those, which so far has no Persian equivalent. We re have done
our best to feid terms for them, although it is not our allegation. We
have used local examples like the other translation.
Which working on glossary translation the group members
has noticed that the work could be more completed. And it is possible
for our experts to expand the volume of glossary.
The result could be accordingly delivered to UN for further action.
Transcription Working Group
Chair:
Dr. Saeed Oryan
Colleague: Dr. Yadolah Parmon
Dr. Faryar Akhlaghi
Introduction
Adoption of a standard method in consistent
reuistralion of geographical names is among the major duties of the
organizations involved in geographical studies. This approach, prior to
anything else, makes possible transparent reference to various regions
and territories by name, both nationally and internationally.
This, however, should not be regarded as the sole goal
for toponymy. Geographical names arc among, the determining parameters
in the background of every culture and history: a linguistically and
historically transparent and justified reference can, quite possibly,
throw light on an important historical and/or cultural aspect. On the
contrary, a careless registration will, no doubt, hide a related fact
forever.
In registering correct geographical names. special
attention must be paid to the linguistic ground on which the name in
duestion were made. Quite usually. there may be no vigorous
cultural-historical evidence in support of a special name,
pronunciation, or spelling, in rejection of a rival, Obviously, if the
decision is made solely according to such shaky evidence. Its
reliability will fall to the level of subjective guesses. In such
situations a close linguistic study of the structure of the name, both
form a synchronic and a diachronic aspect, will solve the majority, if
not all, of the superficially serous Problems.
Standardization of toponymy methods is another
independent issue, emphasizing the determining role of linguistics in
this relation. The linguist, here, is taken to the stance of a planner
who, joining his technical knowledge of linguistics with an acquaintance
with local feasibilities, suggests the easiest and, at the same time,
most efficient scientific method for this purpose.
Standard registration of geographical names, in the
first place, is in need of adopting scientifically justifiable methods
for preparing transcriptions and transliteration of their regional
pronunciations.
The provision of a Transcription Working Group with in the overall body
of, Iranian Committee for standardization of Geographical Names
affiliated to NCC, has been to fulfill this urgent need.
Transcription Working Group: Definitions
I - Transcription Working Group.- The Transcription Working Group is the
name given to a Subset of the Iranian Committee for standardization of
Geographical Names, affiliated to NCC, affiliated to NCC, responsible
for (a) providing instruction notebooks to be used for geographical name
transcription and transliteration, as well as (b) guaranteeing any
proper utilization thereof.
II - Geographical Name: The regional or official name used in reference
to a geographical place.
III - Transcription.- The process of rendering the distinctive phonetic
characteristics distinguishable by car, in regional pronunciation(s) of
geographical names, by way of a standardized system (phonetic alphabet).
Transcriptions can be broader or narrower, a according to the purposes
of their utilizations.
IV - Transliteration.- The process of rendering the ordinary spellings
of geographical names in a standardized symbol system.
V - Standardizatiorr: The process of making standard and utilizable a
written from to refer to a specific geographical name.
Transcription Working Group: Duties
The Transcription Working Group shall be responsible for the following:
Review of old transcription methods, national or international, to
determine the advantages and shortcomings thereof.
- Appropriate linguistic determination of the expectations on the part
of the Specialized
Committee for Toponymy and Standardization of Geographical Names,
affiliated to NCC.
- Appropriate determination of the level of capacity on the part of the
third parties, to be able to prepare the most efficient transcription
method.
- Appropriate determination of the most efficient level for narrow
transcription of' geographical names, having considered the scientific-
practical aspects, beforehand.
- Primary determination of the set of phonemes for language and dialect
types of' Iran (The set being considered, necessarily, as incomplete,
open for further modifications resulting from new discoveries).
- Appropriate determination of the most efficient transliteration method
for geographical name registration, having considered the
scientific-practical aspects, beforehand.
- Appropriate determination of level of proficiency and knowledge on the
part of applicants for transcription and transliteration. as well as
their subsequent assignment for the job.
- Enforcing continuous supervision on the process of geographical name
registration.
Transcription Working Group: Achievements
In the end, the Transcription Working Group shall come
up with three handbooks of instructions, to be utilized in practice, for
the following purposes:
I. Handbook of Instructions for Narrow Transcription: This will he
prepared based on the standard approach put forward by the International
Phonetic Association(1PA); any result thereof to be kept in the related
data-base and used in detailed investigations.
2. Handbook of Instructions for Broad(or Phonemic) Transcription: This
shall he prepared according to a Transcription system to be approved in
this relation by the same working group, the results of which to be kept
in the related data- base and used in related public research.
3. Handbook of instructions for Transliteration: This shall be
Latin-based and particulary constructed for utilization in relation to
Persian orthography, and the results shall be kept in the related
data-base and used in related research.
Now this working group prepared their documents and submitted three
handbooks of instruction to committee and after ratifing by committee
will submite to UNCSGN or UNGEGEN.
Working group on
Standardization of Sea and
Under sea features names
Head of the Group: Mr.M.H Khoddam
Mohammadi
-Definition and importance of the working Group.
Geographical name of a sea feature is a name by which a
surface of an under surface feature of the bookies of waters such as
ocean, sea, lake, and also the relevant coastal feature is known. Naming
and standardization of sea and undersea features is on of the main aim
of this action, which is taken for the geographical names all over the
world. Particular attention must be given for the sea features, which
start from the coasts extended to continental shelf in which the major
sources of oil and gas and fisheries are placed.
In the first U.N. conference of standardization of
geographical names, help in 1967 above mentioned were considered. As for
as the geographical names of sea features are concerned there are not
too many names in common between nations and because of that the sea
navigation in the international waters is in jeopardy and rather in
secured. In addition to above mentioned, due to loss of the legal
authority for naming the political powers have exercised their wills on
geographical names and restrained the right owners nations in this
matter.
Many sea territories and underwater features have
particular importance as far as their economic, politic and security
aspects are concerned and since the bodies of water are surrounded by
several countries, standardization of their features names is of
important consequences.
In general the sea features names are to be considered
in this working aroup are as follows:
1- Studying of Batonym or under surface features names.
2- Studying of the names of the features, which are surrounded by bodies
3-Considering the names of the large and small bodies of waters in
Oceans and seas.
4-Studying the names of inland bodies of water. 5-Studying the names of
coastal features.
Task force of working group:
The working group is responsible for naming and
standardization of natural and artificial features in the surface and
undersurface of bodies of waters and these are done by following
methods.
1- Preparing sources and documents such as hydrographic dictionaries,
natural and historical geography books, geological and geomorphological
books, Oceanographic books and relevant charts.
2- Visiting the relevant sites and consulting local experts.
3- Comparing sea features names in foreign languages with those in
Farsi.
4- Comparing sea features names in local accents.
5- Naming unknown features.
6- Toponyms of sea features names.
7- Sub committee on Undersea Features Names (SCUFN) to be contacted
through its Web site in order to obtain as much information as
available.
In general most important sea features, which require
name standardization, are as follows.
Seas, gulfs, bays, inlets, coral reefs, straits, canals, estuaries,
deltas, islands, rocks, undersea springs, main relieves on sea and ocean
bed, coastal plant coverage, undersea volcanic craters, lakes, swamps,
marshes, rivers, sea patches, thermal springs, Oil and gas fields, plat
forms, undersea mines, under water plant coverage and sea farms (Pearls,
shrimps).
Group combination: Members of this working group should
be persons who have B.sc or B.A (Preferably M.sc or M.A.) in
hydrography, natural geography, Oceanology, hydrology with enough field
experiences.
The head of the group is in the position to consult qualified experts in
the relevant fields.
Names and specifications of working group members:
1- Mr.M.H. Khoddam Mohammadi (head of the group)
2- Mr. Kh. N Jamshidi (M.A. in Natural geography)
3- Mr. A. Membari (expert in hydrography and Nautical cartography)
4- Mr. F. Momeny (B.A. in geography)
5- Mr. A. Asadi (B.A. in geography)
Working group on
Exonym and country names
Chair:
Mr. Naser Mohamadi
Colleague: Mr. Mehran Maghsoudi
Mr. Abolfazl Bolandiyan
The Iranian Committee for
Standardization of Geographical Names due to its duty has been divided
into several working groups. One of them is exonym and country names.
The term of Exonym is a geographical name used in a certain language for
a geographical entity situated outside the area where that language has
official status and differing in its from, the name used in the official
language or languages of the area where the geographical entity is
situated.
Hence the term Exonym also includes name variants for
the respective objects, which belong to an indigenous language. If such
name form is not official, it can be called a foreign name, a name from
outside that national territory.
UN Economic and social council (ECOSOC) in 1963 in the
first Conference on Standardization of Geographical Names has divided
world countries based on their geographical situations and language into
13 groups at first then 17 and now into 22 ones. Exonym with considering
linguistic group is defined for every geographical name out side
territory.
South-west Asia (other than Arab countries) is one of
linguistic geographical groups. So Islamic Republic of Iran along with
its position as the head quarter of this group should submit Exonym
lists and country names to UNGEGN. This duty is included in agenda of
this group, in that field, some activities have been accomplished and an
example is herewith enclosed.
It is hope that with cooperation with experts of
southwest Asia countries could submit a common list to UNGEGN and UNCSGN.
For providing this list have studied around papers, documents presented
in 8`" conference and in expert session on standardization of
Geographical Names and other websites.
Working group on Exonym has compiled list based on its
purposes. In that, at first, official name of total world countries are
mentioned, then with consideration of official languages used in world
countries, (Local regional name) Endonym are noted.
So, codes approved by ISO are referred to. Then Farsi
Exonyms of world countries are mentioned. At final, with regard to,
romanization system of Islamic republic of Iran, is recorded.
Working Group on Historical
Names
Chair: Bahram Amir Ahmadiyan
This Working Group has considered doing following
actions during a period of short, middle and long time.
Period activity programmers:
A- Short period Programme:
Data base preparation and
bibliography about books, articles, reports, and thesis of MSC and PHD
and Published articles in scientific educational magazines about
geographical historical name of Iran by referring to:
1- Special libraries of N.C.C
2- National library of Iran
3- Specific Libraries About History of Iran
4- Center of scientific documents of Iran, depending to ministry of
science, researches and technology.
5- Home book of Iran depending to Islamic Cultural Ministry.
6- Common libraries.
7-Knowing authors and investigators of history geographical names and
providing
B- middle period Programme
1- this list geographical names will Put as bellow priority - Name of
historical cities.
- Name of historical provinces.
- Name of history and Important villages.
- Name of Important Rivers of Iran.
- Name of mountains and important and historical physical features of
Iran.
-Geographical Names of historical plains and deserts of Iran.
- Name of historical effects and ancient domains of Iran and abroad of
Iran in Iranian area of the world.
C- Long period programme
Encyclopedia preparation of
history geographical names: this course is including of preparing and
operating of a project which in it by using of being references in
comparison with providing encyclopedias article and by using of a
authors in formation banks and being references in companying with
choosing members of writing Working Group of Historical names will do.
In this activity in addition to teachers, researcher, authors, will use
of teachers and owner of ideas and authors of
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