„The unique microcosm” of memory in the official names of rural streets (on the example of the Podkarpackie province)

Abstract

The aim of this article is to analyse the official commemorative names of rural streets in the Podkarpackie Province as carriers of collective memory. This memory is a synthesis of general, national, and local, community memory. The unique character of social memory in specific localities is determined by “small” or local memory, which is exemplified linguistically primarily by place names commemorating local heroes and, to a lesser extent, local events. These are names that are among the most important carriers of memory (they preserve in the social consciousness people and events that would be futile to look for in history textbooks), performing a specific educational function.