Arabako Zalla ibai-izenak nozitu duen itxuragabetze-prozesua

Abstract

The name of the river Zalla in Araba underwent a continuous process of distortion during the 20th century. The name Zalla has been recorded in historical writings for centuries, and it is still used orally to this day. However, Zaya was recorded in the early twentieth century under the influence of excessive use of the letter -y. Although that phenomenon was taking place outside Araba at the time, the new spelling gradually made its was into administrative documents. Later Zayas appeared, and finally Zaia was incorrectly believed to be the Basque spelling. The details of these distortions are examined in this work, and the appropriateness of the spelling Zalla is confirmed.