The world of proper names in Mrongovius’s German-Polish dictionary

Bogusław Nowowiejski

Uniwersytet w Białymstoku

Abstract

A purpose of the article is to present and characterize proper names registered in the German-Polish dictionary by Krzysztof Celestyn Mrongovius (1853/54) with particular consideration of toponyms, especially geographical names, choronyms and hydronyms. Rich and diversified onomastic material, adorned by frequently interesting and valuable remarks by Mrongovius, proves the lexicographer’s good knowledge of the then current as well historical geography, mostly European and Polish, including the lands that were the dearest to him: Pomerania, Warmia and Masuria. Comprehensive acumen of a profoundly and scrupulously educated European of the mid 19th century is confirmed here.

Keywords:

Mrongovius, a German-Polish dictionary, 19th century, proper names