About
Dr. Giorgio Marrapodi is a Researcher at Saarland University, working at the Lessico Etimologico Italiano (LEI) project since 1997. He currently focuses on the S- letter range (Latinisms) since 2025, having previously worked on the E- range from 2007-2025. His academic career includes positions at the Chair of Romance Philology and the Romanisches Seminar at the University of Bonn.
Dr. Marrapodi earned his doctorate in Italian Philology with "Summa cum Laude" in 2005 from an institution (likely University of Genua based on his studies) under Prof. Max Pfister. His educational background includes a Diplomarbeit in Dialectology from the University of Genua in 1996 and undergraduate studies in "Lettere e Filosofia" at the same institution from 1989-1996.
Dr. Marrapodi's research focuses on the intricate relationship between language, names, and cultural identity within Romance linguistics. His work explores how naming systems reflect historical, social, and geographical contexts across Italian and other Romance languages. He has made significant contributions to understanding the cognitive and structural aspects of onomastic systems, particularly examining how oral traditions influence name formation and preservation. His research bridges theoretical linguistics with practical lexicographical applications, demonstrating how historical dictionaries and modern computational methods can enrich our understanding of name evolution. Dr. Marrapodi's interdisciplinary approach connects linguistic analysis with cultural anthropology, revealing how naming practices serve as markers of identity and territorial belonging.
His scholarly output reveals a consistent trajectory in onomastic research with increasing methodological sophistication. Early work focused on specific regional naming systems, particularly in Liguria and Piedmont, while later publications demonstrate broader theoretical frameworks and comparative approaches across Romance languages. A notable shift appears around 2008 toward incorporating digital humanities methodologies, as evidenced by his work on database resources and computational lexicography. His research consistently bridges Italian and broader Romance linguistic traditions, with particular attention to the interplay between written and oral name systems.
- Summa cum Laude Doctorate in Italian Philology (2005)
- Accademia della Crusca Scholarship (2001)
Dr. Marrapodi has been actively involved in academic knowledge dissemination through numerous conference presentations across Europe, including participation in the Società di Linguistica Italiana, Romanistentag, and specialized onomastics conferences. His teaching experience spans multiple institutions, including the University of Bonn, University of Genua, and the Music Academy of Saarland, where he taught Italian language and specialized literature. He has collaborated extensively with international scholars on projects related to Romance onomastics and etymology.
As a core member of the LEI project team and contributor to the Deonomasticon Italicum, Dr. Marrapodi works within collaborative research environments focused on comprehensive documentation of Italian etymology and onomastics. His work intersects with multiple research groups studying Romance linguistics across European institutions, particularly in Italy, Germany, and Switzerland.
