Igbo and Chinese personal names: A socio-semantic analysis (original) (raw)

2016, Nsukka WorkingPapers in Language, Linguistics, And Literature (NWPLLL)

Abstract

This is a study of the personal names (henceforth referred to as PN) in Igbo and Chinese. The objective of the study is geared toward ascertaining the type of naming practices among the Igbo and Chinese cultures, the semantic contents of some of Igbo and Chinese names, the similarities and differences in the Igbo and Chinese naming traditions, factors that determine names given to a child in Igbo and Chinese traditions, and the significance of naming in both languages. The study discovers that Igbo and Chinese PN are not mere arbitrary labels, but are meaningful and based on socio-cultural contexts. The study reveals that Igbo and Chinese PN systems and practices are a marker of the people's beliefs and ideology, religion, culture, philosophy, and thought. Igbo and Chinese PN are best understood and analyzed when one has insight into the ethno-pragmatics, socio-cultural norms and the language and culture of Igbo and Chinese. The study also reveals that the semantic contents of Igbo and Chinese PN depict various contexts: Theophoric PN, Ideational PN, Monumental PN, Testimonial PN, Relational PN, and Temporal PN. It is revealed that Igbo and Chinese share a lot of naming traditions in common, with some few differences. The differences are based on their different cultural backgrounds. The study concludes that the similarities should be better explored in order to enhance inter-cultural communication and deepen mutual understanding between the two cultures.

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