Phytonymic variation in Aranese Occitan

Abstract

Although the Pyrenean Eastern Gascon has been the subject of numerous dialectological researches and even if publications relating to the botanical designations of the Commingeois-Couseranese-Aranese group are available, there are often flagrant contradictions among these repertoires and gaps to fill. These defects have so far prevented us from having a thorough knowledge of the most essential phytonymic designations in Aranese and, at the same time, from drawing up a catalog of dialectal variations linked to the vocabulary of plants opposing some villages in the valley. In this article, using the data obtained since 1998 by means of dialectological surveys, we will try to clarify what are the phytonymic designations in use in the Val d’Aran relating to several plants such as dog rose (and rose hip), rush, nettle and broom. Even if each of the cases listed offers obvious features, we will be able to notice distinctive characteristics specific to High Aranese, that link it to either the neighbouring Catalan or to the Couserannais Gascon and, therefore, to the central Occitan.