A Socio-Semantic Etymological Analysis of Selected Nicknames Within the Zambian Senga Social and Cultural Onomastics Cosmology
Keywords:
Zambian, Senga, Nicknames, Cosmology, Etymology, Social, Cultural, Social-Semantic, Onomastics
Abstract
This study examined the social-semantic meaning of selected Zambian Senga nicknames within the Senga social and cultural milieu. It unveiled the social- semantic significance of selected Senga nicknames in relation to their social and cultural setting. It also established the etymology of the names as well as the social cultural significance of meanings expressed in the nicknames. This study adopted a qualitative approach. A purposive sampling technique was employed through which fourteen persons, who were considered sufficiently knowledgeable in the Senga language, provided an accurate explanation of the data. The participants were drawn from Chama District of the Eastern Province of Zambia. Data was collected through an interview guide, which was administered to the selected research participants. Data was analysed using Social Semiotic Theory. In line with social semiotics, nicknames express both connotative and denotative meanings. In addition, Senga nicknames have social and cultural significance in that they warn witches, discourage selfishness, provide wisdom, encourage, demonstrate endurance, reprimand, teach self-reliance, show ownership, discourage laziness, expose promiscuous behaviour, hard work and traditional beliefs. Lastly, it is recommended that other aspects of Senga anthroponyms may be researched on. These might include personal names, their etymology and semantic value.References
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2. Berg, B.L. (1966). Qualitative Research Methods for the Social Sciences. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
3. Chauke, M.T. (1992). Mavitoni NKoka Wa Wona Eka Xistonga. Unpublished Honours Research Paper. Polokwane: University of the North.
4. Chishiba, G. (2017). The Naming Process Among the Lamba People of Zambia: A Socio-cultural Study. International Journal of Education, Culture and Society 2(3): 83-87.
5. Chola M. (2018). A Socio-Semantic Analysis of Selected Tumbuka Anthroponyms. Lusaka: University of Zambia. MA. Thesis.
6. Chola M. and J. Simwinga (2021). Sokalikwenda – ‘Calamity That Moves’: Some Social Aspects of Tumbuka Personal Names. International Journal of Humanities & Social Studies. ISSN 2321-9203 www.theijhss.com Vol 9 Issue 11 DOI No.: 10.24940/theijhss/2021/v9/i11/HS2111-050 November, 2021.
7. Chola M., S. Ngalande and J. Simwinga (2019). “Daring Death among the Tumbuka: A Socio-Semantic Analysis of Death-Related Personal Names”. International Journal of Humanities Social Sciences and Education (IJHSSE), vol. 6, no.7, 2019, pp. 109-120. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.20431/2349-0381.0607012.
8. Creswell, J.W. (2007). Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative and Mixed Methods Approaches. 2nd Edition. Thousand Oaks. Sage Publications.
9. Felecan, D. (2006, 2009). ‘Nicknames-A Reflections of Polyphony Within the Linguistic Area from the North-western Part of Romania.’ Nomina Africana, Vol. 23, No 2 pp. 61-90.
10. Finlay, L. & Evans K. (2009), Relational Centred Research for Psychotherapists: Exploring Meanings and Experience. Chichester, West Sussex: Wiley-Blackwell Publishers.
11. Guthrie, M. (1948). The Classification of the Bantu Languages. London, Oxford University Press.
12. Halliday, M.A.K. (1978). Language as Social Semiotic: The Social Interpretation of Language and Meaning. Maryland. University Park Press.
13. Hodge, R. & Kress, G. (1988). Social Semiotics. Cambridge: Polity.
14. Holloway, I. (1997). Basic Concepts for Qualitative Research, Victoria: Blackwell science.
15. Hang’ombe, K. (2015), The Morphology and Semantics of Tonga Anthroponyms: The Case of Given Names and Nicknames. Unpublished MA dissertation, UNZA: Lusaka.
16. Justice, J. (1998). A Unified Theory of Names. Philosophy of Language. Twentieth World Congress of Philosophy. Boston, Massachusetts U.S.A.
17. Kabaso, F.M. (2016). A Morphological and Semantic Analysis of Nicknames in Ng’umbo. Unpublished Master’s Thesis. The University of Zambia.
18. Langdridge, D. (2007), Phenomenological Psychology: Theory, Research and Method. Canada: Pearson Education.
19. Leslie, P.L. and Skipper, J.K. (1990). Toward a Theory of Nicknames: A Case for Socio-Onomastics. Names, Vol. 38, No. 4, pp 276-282.
20. Lungu, B, Hirst, S.B and J. Simwinga (2022) “Naming by Reference: A Socio-Semantic Analysis of Selected Namwanga Personal Names” International Journal on Studies in English Language and Literature (IJSELL), vol 10, no. 2, 2022, pp. 1-12. doi: https://doi.org/10.20431/2347-3134.1002001.
21. Matukuto, S. (2020). A Morphological and Social Semiotic Analysis of Bemba Theonyms. Lusaka: University of Zambia.
22. Mutunda, S. (2011). Personal Names in Lunda Cultural Milieu. U.S.A.: University of Arizona.
23. Neethling S. J. (2000). “An Onomastic Renaissance: African Names to the fore” South African Journal of African Languages, Vol 20 (3).
24. Penda, C. (2013). Encyclopaedia of Zambian Names. Lusaka: Pensulo Publishers.
25. Raper, P. H. (1987). Aspects of Onomastic Theory. Nomina Africana 1(2): 78-91.
26. Yakubu, U. J. (2012). A Syntactic Description of Agatu Personal Names. Journal of Arts and Contemporary Society Volume 4, December. Nasarawa State University.
Published
2023-06-21
How to Cite
Munyenyembe, C. and Simwinga, J. (2023) “A Socio-Semantic Etymological Analysis of Selected Nicknames Within the Zambian Senga Social and Cultural Onomastics Cosmology”, Journal of Law and Social Sciences, 5(2), pp. 1-14. doi: https://doi.org/10.53974/unza.jlss.5.2.1010.
Section
Articles