Storstadens språkliga dimension : Synpunkter på en stilistisk-retorisk analys av urbana ortnamn i Köpenhamn

The authors of this review article had been asked to preview Line Sandst’s PhD thesis Urbanestednavne – storbyens sproglige dimension (Urban place-names – the linguistic dimension of thecity) and subsequently to act as examiners at her public defence of it. The present article is a somewhatreworked version of the opinion we submitted in January 2016. The thesis explores placenamesin Copenhagen, in particular in three areas chosen for study: the city centre, the Carlsbergdistrict and Nørrebro. These three areas differ in character and history, making the urban namesused there (for streets, squares, shops and companies) suitable for study from three differentpoints of view. The in-depth analyses undertaken include both more theoretical reasoning aboutnames and name formation, and insightful discussions about the process of name-giving takingplace today.