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A Socio-Semantic Analysis of Selected Tumbuka Anthroponyms

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A SOCIO-SEMANTIC ANALYSIS OF SELECTED TUMBUKA ANTHROPONYMS BY CHOLA MUSONDA A DISSERTATION SUBMITTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF ZAMBIA IN PARTIAL FUFILLMENT OF THE RESEARCH REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AWARD OF THE MASTER OF ARTS IN LINGUISTIC SCIENCE THE UNIVERSITY OF ZAMBIA 2018 AUTHOR’S DECLARATION I, CHOLA Musonda, do hereby declare that “A Socio-semantic Analysis of Selected Tumbuka Anthroponyms”, a) Represents my own work; b) Has not previously been submitted or presented for any qualification at this university or any other institution; c) Does not contain any other published works of other people except those that have been acknowledged accordingly. Author‟s signature: ……………………………………………. Date: ………………………...…………………………………. Supervisor‟s signature: ………………………………………… Date: ……………………....…………………………………… ii COPYRIGHT DECLARATION ©CholaMusonda2018. All rights reserved. No part of this dissertation may be altered, reproduced, stored in any retrieval system and/or transmitted in any form by electronic, photocopying, recording or otherwise before seeking permission from the author or the University of Zambia. iii APPROVAL This dissertation written by CHOLA MUSONDA is approved as fulfilling in part the requirements for the award of the degree of Master of Arts in Linguistic Science at the University of Zambia. Examiner 1 Name: ……………..………………………………………………………………………………… Signature: ……………………………………….. Date: ...………………………………………... Examiner 2 Name: ………………..………………………………………………………………………………. Signature: ……………………………………….. Date: ...…………………………………………. Examiner 3 Name: ………………..…………………………………………………………………………......... Signature: ………………………………………. Date: ...………………………………………….. Chairperson Board of Examiners Name: ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… Signature: ………………………………………. Date: …………………………………………………. Supervisor Name: ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… Signature: ………………………………………. Date: …………………………………………………. iv ABSTRACT This study was an attempt to investigate the meanings and sociocultural implications of selected Tumbuka anthroponyms. It sought to identify and analyse meanings of selected Tumbuka personal names; establish the kind of naming system that the Tumbuka of Lundazi District have in place; and to find out the socio- cultural implications of the names and naming patterns and/or strategies that are used among the people in the study area. The study was purely qualitative. Through the use of semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions, interaction with the study population and introspection, the researcher was able to gather primary data. On a large scale, purposive sampling was the employed technique, supplemented by simple random sampling to select participants. Secondary data was obtained from existing Tumbuka literature including school and village registers. Using the unified theory of names, the generated data was analysed and thereafter names grouped according to themes. Findings showed that, among the Tumbuka people, the first name is bestowed on a child after detachment of its umbilical cord. Traditionally, the grandfather and great grandfather to the new-born child are the sole name-givers. However, there are circumstances under which another person might be requested to name a child. The bestowal of first names arises from different factors including events or circumstances surrounding a child‟s birth such as: a child‟s place, period, order and manner of birth; death; fertility; religion; marital disputes and physical appearance of the newborn among others. In addition to this, names are sometimes given to children to honour dead relations. Unlike first names, most of the Tumbuka surnames began as nicknames. Later, such names became permanent surnames and/or clan names. In relation to the findings, it was deduced that personal names in Tumbuka-prone speech communities go beyond being mere personal labels. They are expressions and stories that mark the various social and psychological milestones and circumstances that surrounded the birth of the child to be named as well as the family and community into which the child is born. This in turn makes personal names an integral meaningful part of the Tumbuka cultural heritage. Key words: anthroponyms; sociocultural; bestowal; implications; naming system. v DEDICATION I dedicate this dissertation to my family. Special gratitude to John C. Chanda and Annah Gondwe my parents for their unconditional support, and whose push for persistence will forever inspire me. My siblings Wezi, Ngoi, Kalunga and Sokalikwenda who have always been my favourite cheerleaders, I love you all so much. vi ACKNOWLDGEMENTS This project has been successful through the consultations I made with the members of staff in the Department of Literature and Languages at The University of Zambia. I would be failing in my endeavour if I do not sincerely thank Dr. John Simwinga, my supervisor, for the guidance and unwavering support I received on how best this research could be carried out because it made the compilation a success. His patience with me while I carried out the study was encouraging. I also wish to express my sincere gratitude to my family, friends and workmates for all their love and support throughout my studies. My special gratitude goes to the people of Lundazi District, Zambia, more especially those that assisted me with the information I used to compile this paper. You are my Tumbuka heroes. vii Table of Contents AUTHOR‟S DECLARATION ..................................................................................................................... ii COPYRIGHT DECLARATION ................................................................................................................. iii APPROVAL ................................................................................................................................................ iv ABSTRACT .................................................................................................................................................. v DEDICATION ............................................................................................................................................. vi ACKNOWLDGEMENTS .......................................................................................................................... vii CHAPTER ONE ........................................................................................................................................... 1 INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................................ 1 Overview 1 1.1 The Study of Names .............................................................................................................. 1 1.1.1 Ethnolinguistic Background of the Tumbuka People ............................................................ 2 1.1.2 Names and Naming Patterns in African Societies ................................................................. 3 1.2 Statement of the Problem .................................................................................................... 5 1.3 Significance of the Study ....................................................................................................... 5 1.4 Aim ........................................................................................................................................ 6 1.5 Research Objectives .............................................................................................................. 6 1.6 Research Questions............................................................................................................... 6 1.7 Theoretical Framework ............................................................................................................. 6 1.7.1 A Unified Theory of Names ................................................................................................... 6 1.8 Scope of the Study .................................................................................................................... 9 1.9 Definition of Terms ................................................................................................................... 9 1.10 Structure of the Dissertation .................................................................................................. 10 1.11 Conclusion ............................................................................................................................... 10 CHAPTER TWO ........................................................................................................................................ 11 LITERATURE REVIEW ........................................................................................................................... 11 Overview 11 2.1 Studies on Names as Part of Language Systems ................................................................. 11 2.1.1 Meaning of Names .............................................................................................................. 14 2.1.2 Studies on Names in Zambia ............................................................................................... 16 2.1.3 Studies of Names Based on Various Themes ...................................................................... 21 2.1.4 Conclusion ........................................................................................................................... 28 CHAPTER THREE: ..................................................................................................................................
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