每个地名都是人们在生活实践中创造性的产物。它—般是根据地理的或历史的背景,说明地理现象、纪念历史事件或表示人们的愿望。在原始阶段,地名的含义往往是简单的,这个地名和其他地名间也不相联系的。

Owing to the lack of established system of transc如tion, nearly. every foreign geographical name has bin diffemntly transcribed into Chinese ideographs or characters in different publications. For instance, Szczecin of Poland has been transcribed by no less than 8 ways of comgoeition and for IIIymeacxoe Ceno, where Ixnin was exiled in 1887, the number of variations zaaches as high as 11 in 10 backs.