Bilingual Glossary of Manitoba’s Geographical Names

Introduction

The Bilingual Glossary of Manitoba’s Geographical Names is an initiative of the Manitoba Geographical Names Program, Manitoba Conservation, to provide an enhanced service to the francophone community of Manitoba, in support of its cultural needs, traditions, and values and in accordance with the French Language Services Act (1989).

There has been a long-standing need for a standardized French language version of Manitoba’s Geographical Names in a prose-text form.  This glossary acts as an easy reference tool for translators, government administrators and others who require French language text alternates for official geographical names.

Explanation of Columns

Approved Names

These names, appearing in the first column, are approved for official use by Manitoba’s geographical names authority - the Minister of Conservation.

French Text Alternate Name

These alternate names are designated for use in French prose-text. They correspond to the approved names in the first column but do not have official status.

Entity

This defines the feature type as is not always apparent in the name (i.e. Algonquin Park is a neighbourhood).

Status

This defines the status of the above-mentioned ‘Approved Names’ and ‘French Text Alternate Names’.  The status code is an alpha-numeric field used to identify the approval status of a name. The first part of the code consists of a single letter (i.e. A – approved, B – not approved.) The second part of the code consists of a numeric qualifier referring it to a subcategory of the letter. (i.e. A2 – Altered application, B4 – Gazetteer Cross-reference, M1 – Manitoba Equivalent)

1.  A status names – Official Names
     Those names approved by the provincial geographical names or by legislation.

2.  M status names – a second name approved an official language equivalent for use within
     French Language Service Areas of Manitoba. These names are for use on bilingual maps,
     signs, and other official documents affecting the French language Service Areas.

3.  B status names - Formerly official names.
These are names which were once approved but are now rescinded / deleted names or cross-referenced for gazetteer purposes, etc.

Map

National Topographic System (N.T.S.) 1:50 000 scaled map on which the geographical feature or populated place may be found.

Latitude & Longitude

The geographical coordinate location at the approximate centroid of an areal feature (lake, island, bay, etc.) or populated place, or at mouth of a linear drainage feature (river, creek, drain, etc.).

Translated Names with Official Status:

In addition to the alternate names listed in this glossary you will find imbedded in the lists the Pan-Canadian Names and Manitoba Equivalent Names which have official status:

Pan-Canadian Names:

Manitoba accepts the usage of names of pan-Canadian significance as established by the Federal Treasury Board on the recommendation of Geographical Names Board of Canada. These French language names may be used on bilingual maps, on French language maps and in French language text:

         Churchill River / Rivière Churchill                                  
         Hudson Bay / Baie d'Hudson
         Manitoba, Lake / Lac Manitoba                                   
         Nelson River / Fleuve Nelson
         Red River / Rivière Rouge                                            
         Saskatchewan River / Rivière Saskatchewan
         Winnipeg, Lake / Lac Winnipeg                                   
         Winnipegosis, Lake / Lac Winnipegosis
         Winnipeg River / Rivière Winnipeg                                
         Woods, Lake of the / Lac des Bois

 

Equivalent Names:

Manitoba recognizes that certain geographical features within the designated French Language Services Areas of the province have well-known names in both official languages. The names, listed below as equivalent names, are authorized for use on bilingual maps, signs, and other official documents affecting the French Language Services Areas. In the case of separate English and French versions, the name appropriate to the language of the map, sign, or document should be used.

         Official Name / Equivalent Name Approved for Use

         Albert Beach / Plage Albert               (Note: Albert Beach is a locality - an unincorporated entity.)
         Assiniboine River / Rivière Assiniboine
         Assiniboine Trail / Assiniboine, Chemin
         Brokenhead River / Rivière Brokenhead
         Cypress River / Rivière Cypress
         Dawson Trail / Dawson, Chemin
         Fish Creek / Ruisseau Fish
         Joubert Creek / Ruisseau Joubert
         La Salle River / Rivière Sale
         La Vérendrye Trail / La Vérendrye, Chemin
         Lord Selkirk Highway / Lord Selkirk, Route
         Manning Canal / Canal Manning
         Marsh River / Rivière Marsh
         Morris River / Rivière Morris
         Parks Route / Route des parcs
         Pembina River / Rivière Pembina
         Plum River / Rivière aux Prunes
         Rat River / Rivière aux Rats
         Red River Floodway / Canal de dérivation de la Rivière Rouge
         Rivière aux Marais / Marais River
         Seine River / Rivière Seine
         Seine River Diversion / Canal de dérivation de la Rivière Seine