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Riga, Latvia  XML
Forum Index -> Discussion of GeoNames Toponyms
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eugene.bolshakov



Joined: 28/09/2010 09:17:56
Messages: 3
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This is the first time I'm about to add a change to the geonames database, so I though I should ask first to confirm that my understanding is correct.

There's a record for Riga, the capital of Latvia (geoname ID 456172) with 2 alternate names in English: Riga and Rīga. I don't think the latter is actually an English name. Both wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Riga and the municipal portal of the city http://www.riga.lv/EN/Channels/About_Riga/default.htm use "Riga".

Should I just go ahead and delete the latter alternate name?

Besides, "Rīga" is the "main" name for the toponym, which should preferably be English or International Name. Should that be updated as well?

In general, one would think that an English name may not contain characters with diacritics, but for many German places names with "ü" for example are returned by wikipedia and goodle. Are they considered international names then?

I guess I'm just trying to figure out a workflow for distinguishing problems with names. If I come across an English name with diacritics, should I first go to wikipedia? Or elsewhere?

Thanks.

marc



Joined: 08/12/2005 07:39:47
Messages: 4412
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You are right "Rīga" is the Latvian name:
http://lv.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rīga

As it is already there with the language code 'lv' you can delete the english entry as it is wrong. You can also update the main toponym name to the purely English name.

I think the diacritics can still be considered international names, as they look very similar to the English name and can be understood. Whereas Japanese, Chinese, Cyrillic, Devanagari, etc names are impossible to be read internationally.


Marc

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eugene.bolshakov



Joined: 28/09/2010 09:17:56
Messages: 3
Offline

Thanks Marc, That makes sense.

Could you update my account as I'm currently getting the "The record you want to edit is locked for updates for userlevel1" error message when trying to update the toponym. My login is eugene.bolshakov

Thanks
marc



Joined: 08/12/2005 07:39:47
Messages: 4412
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ok, I have increased your userlevel.

Marc

[WWW]
eugene.bolshakov



Joined: 28/09/2010 09:17:56
Messages: 3
Offline

Thanks Marc, I've made the changes.
 
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