Cartography in Danish place-name studies

Abstract

ABSTRACT The author discusses the role of cartography in Danish place-name studies, particularly since the editorial work on the series titled Danmarks Stednavne (‘Place Names of Denmark’) began in the 1920s. Additionally, he examines how cartography has been used politically to implement linguistic changes in place names in the border regions of Schleswig/Sønderjylland and Scania (Skåne), by comparing name forms used on maps before, during and after shifts in state boundaries. The main finding is that for a considerable number of ‘minor’ place names, the oldest extant references can often be found in cartographical sources from the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. As a consequence, the catalogues of Danmarks Stednavne contain more cartographical references for minor and more recent place names than for older settlement names, which are often sufficiently accounted for in medieval textual sources. The author concludes that when studying maps, it is vital to consider always why and by whom the maps have been made. This also holds true for toponymy, where the background of the map can often be seen to have affected the type and number of place names included on it, and sometimes even their spellings.