Innovation in Language Learning

The proposed study is the linguistic part of the theoretical background of the Velonotte International sports-edutainment project aimed at involving urban dwellers (children, students, adults) in the study of urban space, in the assimilation of the cultural and linguistic code of the city. The analysis of two linguistic performances within the activities of the Florence 2017 event is provided. The aim of the project is to develop methods and techniques for increasing the sensitivity of the participants and listeners of the radio broadcasts to the treasures of the national heritage. We use a new theoretical approach of S.Nikitin to the study of the topogenesis as a place-name creation process focusing on the sociourbanistic orienteer or historical event becoming a topogen. Basing on more than 10 years of field linguistic research the dynamic nature of a toponomastic sign, its expansion and reduction in the collective conscience has been revealed.

The preparation and implementation of the event are discussed, namely the historical and linguistic study of the toponyms of Florence and the pedagogical intergenerational activities that were used during this educational excursion on bicycles to understand the toponymic processes in Florence from the Middle Ages to the present day, memorial nameplate setting, postcards for coloring. The block of educational tasks is considered and the issues of preserving the identity of the city are discussed in the spirit of Leonardo da Vinci’s idea: “All our knowledge has its origins in our perceptions”.

 Key words: lingustic analysis of place names, urban toponymy, topogenesis, edutainment, ludic performance