Place Names in the Construction of Social Identities: The Uses of Names of Helsinki

Abstract

Toponyms are used not only to identify places, but also to accomplish many relevant social and interactional tasks. In a conversation speakers may use diverse forms of a toponym or different names to refer to the same place. The choice of a name or a name variant is not coincidental or free but depends on the context, e.g., the formality of the situation. The name variants speakers use may even reveal the identities they have as local dwellers. The article studies the relationship between the use of toponyms and social identity. The names used by Finnish speakers of Helsinki (the official variant Helsinki and two unofficial variants, 'Hesa' and 'Stadi') and both the use of them and images and ideas connected to these names, are studied. With the names 'Hesa' and 'Stadi', the central distinctions are made between the speakers’ status as country people and city dwellers and between native Helsinki dwellers and people who have moved to Helsinki from elsewhere. The metalinguistic and actual use of names used of Helsinki show considerable differences. They may be based on a desire to identify oneself with a given group, which is, however, not always manifested in actual language use. The material consists of focus group interviews conducted among dwellers in one neighbourhood in Vuosaari.