Taxonomic Communication

Universally, names provide a symbolic system of identification so that we can tell one person, ethnic and racial group from the other. The system is “historically constructed, socially maintained, and based on shared assumptions and expectations of members of a particular community.” Names are not meant only for identification as they communicate lots of information about their owners, his or her family and communal values. They are markers of family connections. Names have been deployed to effect social and political changes as well as to assert indigenous identity. They have been described as aide de memoirs that are capable of unleashing powerful emotions. Names can reflect various circumstances surrounding the coming into being of a people, their location, special or unique features, identification with animals (totems), their particular behaviour, strengths or skills amongst others. People group may not have the privilege of naming themselves but are named by their neighbours or distant persons as the colonial experience demonstrated hence a number of tribal and group names are based on the principle of nickname, terms of greeting, or salutation. In some instances their names reflect their subaltern status. Place names can also give an indication of cultural inclusivity or exclusivity. They, in addition, are “channels for locating, analysing and comprehending the world.” Personal names can give an indication of the political and economic context, attitude of parents or even be a brief adage. It is key to understanding a person’s character and behaviour and this is especially true of nicknames and praise names. African names in particular have been singled out for their rich meanings and complex linguistic forms. Be that as it may any study of naming does reveal a lot about the cultural attitudes.