Between plan and its realization : on hodonyms in the city of Białystok during World War II under German occupation

Street names have not only the function of a topographical-spatial orientation but they also reflect the history and are a cultural and political instrument either. At the time of the National Socialist dictatorship, street names were changed in Germany. Also in the cities of in Poland, in the Second World War many streets and squares were renamed. The aim of this paper is to examine and describe the change of urban names in Białystok in the years 1939-1944, when Poland was under German occupation. A strong influence of the German language is apparent in German designations and more or less successful translations of Polish hodonyms. Nevertheless, some place and street designations still show their Polish origin. The paper discusses the extent of German influence on the official language of city plans and the ways in which the Polish streets were renamed. Moreover, an attempt is being made to determine which trends can be observed in urban designations