The Finnish database of exonyms

Abstract

The Finnish database of exonyms

In Finland, a detailed, regularly updated and complex searchable database of exonyms has been available on the website of the Institute for the Languages of Finland since 2018. The database, compiled through the collaboration of geographers and linguists, currently has about three and a half thousand entries and contains a fair number of Finnish geographical names for locations outside of Finland, or names of Finnish origin used outside of Finland. The latter should be noted because the dictionary also includes the names from areas of neighbouring countries where Finnish is spoken. The database contains a wealth of information regarding the different names for geographical objects (even beyond names used in the official language of a given place). Thus it presents itself as an outstanding source of data for those who do not speak Finnish. The Finnish exonym database is also an excellent model for researchers in other countries to follow.