tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10635442.post4073172025380671439..comments2023-10-21T03:07:18.017-05:00Comments on Enclave: What's in a name? Hopefully, some common sense.S-townMikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05948307051485318061noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10635442.post-67130070698671277022009-08-04T07:55:05.517-05:002009-08-04T07:55:05.517-05:00Musing as someone who is interested in language an...Musing as someone who is interested in language and communication, it seems to me that there are at least a few reasons for having a name for the general area: ease of location/reference, description/identification, and self-identification. There are probably more, but that's off the top of my head. <br /><br />From a location/reference point of view, as a data point, when Karsten and I lived in Portland, Oregon, we picked up the nomenclature there somewhat, which made a distinction between "close-in" or "near" neighborhoods (relative to downtown, of course) and those which, well, aren't. So we lived in a southeast neighborhood, but not what you'd call a close-in southeast or near southeast neighborhood. Conversely, you and I both live in "near north" neighborhoods, from a Portland perspective. <br /><br />For where we live now, if relative geography is all that's relevant, I'll usually say I live "just north of downtown" rather than "Germantown" or something like "north Nashville" or even "near north Nashville," because people either conjure up images of Bordeaux or Goodlettsville, depending on their frame of reference, and neither, obviously, is a helpful association. <br /><br />And while "just north of downtown" seems to get the message across fairly quickly and without much confusion, it obviously doesn't provide an identity to the neighborhoods that fit that description and the residents of those neighborhoods. <br /><br />Identity is loaded even for the most recognizable "brand" within the near north neighborhoods; I've learned to say "the Germantown neighborhood" rather than just "Germantown" after a few too many quizzical reactions from people who thought I meant that I live near Memphis. ;)<br /><br />Of course I've also said "I live a few blocks north of Germantown Cafe" which almost always provides an immediate location/reference context as well as subtle identification and self-identification contexts.<br /><br />Anyway, just a ramble on the topic. Don't mind me. :)Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07828906167277671509noreply@blogger.com