Some thoughts on the theoretical status of ethnonyms and demonyms

Abstract

In this paper I reflect on whether ethnonyms and demonyms can appropriately be considered proper names at all from the semantic perspective, and if so, on what basis. I believe the answer is yes, perhaps unsurprisingly, but there are troublesome conceptual tensions to overcome in the relation between logic and linguistics. Nevertheless an understanding of the difficulties can be constructive, and in this case it lead to a proposal for a terminological innovation that has useful consequences.