Words for heights and slopes in Daga härad : a study of the semantics of two groups of appellatives and place-name elements denoting terrain formations

When topographical generics such as backe, berg, slänt and stalp are treated in literature and dialect records, their lexical meaning is often given without details and precise semantic distinctions. It is indicated by 'synonyms' and by established agreement with other words within the same semantic field, rarely by contrasting definite differences between the words. This can easily give an impression of a synonymity among topographical generics which is out of proportion to the great number of words in use. The main aim of this dissertation is to establish the exact meaning of words for heights and slopes in their two functions, as appellatives and as place-name elements. The study also aims atillustrating the necessity of field work, its problems and possible sources of errors. Akademisk avhandling som för avläggande av filosofie doktorsexamen vid Stockholms universitet kommer att offentligt försvaras i hörsal 8, hus D, Frescati, torsdagen den 19 maj 1988 kl. 10.00.