The importance of place names
Place names not only serve as reference points on the map, but also encapsulate the history and culture of a community. These toponymic elements are essential to understand the identity of a territory, especially in the Valencian Country, where linguistic diversity is at the center of political debate.
A changing context
With the recent arrival of the Popular Party Government (PP) and Vox, language policies have experienced a significant turn. Despite previous efforts to normalize the use of Valencian, a tendency is now perceived that seeks to reinstate the double denomination of place names, which has generated controversy and reactions between the defenders of the language.
The case of Castellón de la Plana
A remarkable example is the recent decision of the City Council of Castelló de la Plana, governed by PP and Vox, to implant the bilingual name again – Castelló de la Plana and Castellón de la Plana. This measure has been criticized by various cultural entities that see in it a setback in linguistic rights.
A wider panorama
Not only Castellón de la Plana is affected; Other localities such as Burriana and Orihuela have also undergone changes in the denomination of their place names. In Burriana, the double denomination has been re -introduced, while in Orihuela, only the Spanish form is recognized, leaving out the use of Valencian.
Data that speak
According to the latest Valencian toponymic nomenclator, the regions bordering Castilla-La Mancha and Murcia are those that have a higher use of place names in Spanish, which highlights the political and cultural influence on the language.
Comparing with other communities
Unlike the Valencian Country, other autonomous communities such as Galicia and the Basque Country have maintained a firm defense of their language. Authorities in these regions have chosen to ensure that official names be exclusively in their native languages.
The legislation as a lever
The law of use and teaching of Valencian stipulates that institutions must promote their use and recover place names in Valencian. However, Spanish forms can act as an obstacle to this recovery, according to experts such as Antoni Royo Pérez.
Actions in Defense of the Valencian
In the face of this situation, several organizations such as Platform for the Language and Cultural Action of the Valencian Country have intensified their actions to defend the language and its place names. Legal measures have been announced to protect the Valencian name of Castellón de la Plana, arguing that it has scientific and historical support.
An uncertain future
Maite Mollà of the Valencian Academy of the Language emphasizes that toponymic standardization is not only an administrative question, but an act of historical justice that reflects the collective identity. The preservation of place names is vital not only for the language, but also for the culture and history of the territory.
A call to action
With the lack of institutional support, the organizations that defend the Valencian have launched campaigns to raise awareness of the population about the importance of the language and its names. Initiatives such as interactive maps showing traditional place names in Valencian seek to foster their use and strengthen their historical and linguistic memory.
Place names are living witnesses of our identity, and their preservation is essential to ensure that Valencian has a recognized place in society.
