Semantic and Pragmatic Analysis of Selected Namwanga Personal Names
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SEMANTIC AND PRAGMATIC ANALYSIS OF SELECTED NAMWANGA PERSONAL NAMES By LUNGU BRUCE A Dissertation submitted to the University of Zambia in partial fulfilment of the requirement for the award of the Degree of Master of Arts in Linguistic Science (MA-Linguistic Science). THE UNIVERSITY OF ZAMBIA LUSAKA 2019 COPYRIGHT All rights reserved. No part of this dissertation may be reproduced, stored in any retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without prior written permission of the author or the University of Zambia. © Lungu Bruce, 2019 i DECLARATION I, Bruce Lungu hereby declare that this work is my own, and that all the work of other persons used in this dissertation has been duly acknowledged and that this work has not been previously presented in this University or any other for similar purposes. Signature (candidate)………………………..….……Date……………………….2019 Signature (supervisor)…………………….…………Date ………….……………2019 ii APPROVAL This Dissertation of BRUCE LUNGU has been approved as a partial fulfilment of the requirements for the award of the Degree of Master of Arts in Linguistic Science by The University of Zambia. Examiner 1 Name: ……………………………………………............. Signature: …………………………………………............ Date: ...…………………… Examiner 2 Name: …………………………………………………….. Signature: ……………………….……………………….. Date: ……………………… Examiner 3 Names: ……………………………………………………. Signature: …………………………………………………... Date: ……………………… Chairperson, Board of Examiners Names: ……………………………………………………. Signature: …………………………………………………... Date: ……………………… Supervisor Names: ……………………………………………………. Signature: …………………………………………………... Date: ……………………… iii ABSTRACT This study investigated the semantic and pragmatic meaning of selected Namwanga personal names. Specifically, the study sought to investigate the patterns of selected Namwanga personal names: determine the semantic and pragmatic meaning of selected Namwanga personal names: and to establish the social and cultural significance of the meanings expressed in selected Namwanga personal names. The study was conducted in Isoka district of Muchinga province, 100 personal names were collected from 16 informants, among these were; five males, five females, five village headmen and one chief from five different villages who were not less than 50 years old and have resided in the area for more than 45 years. The research is qualitative: purposive and snowballing sampling were used in selecting the key informants. The interviews were guided by semi- structured interview questions which the researcher prepared. The data analysis was informed by Austin’s (1962) Speech Act Theory. The primary data obtained from the semi-structured interview questions reveal the following results: Namwanga personal names are categorized into different patterns which include, names expressing religious beliefs, unity, hatred, displeasure, gossiping, clan, surnames, special names and many others. Namwanga names have semantic and pragmatic meaning that can only be known by the name-giver or the context in which they are given and through naming one is able to perform certain functions or acts such as warn, remind, caution, and apology. In addition, Namwanga personal names have social and cultural significance in that, in certain cases, the circumstances concerning the life of the mother or father inform the idea expressed in the name. Hence, in several instances the name indicates that prior to the birth of the child, the parents did not live in harmony and with this name the hope is expressed that the birth of the child might end that unpleasant situation and reconcile the family in one way or another. Lastly, the study is not exhaustive as far as anthroponyms are concerned; other aspects may deserve further research such as nicknames in Namwanga and their function, as well as proverbial anthroponyms of Namwanga. Thus, this study makes a positive contribution to the body of knowledge in an area that is by and large unexploited. Key words: Semantics, Pragmatics, Speech Act, Personal Names, Anthroponyms iv DEDICATION To my beloved wife Chanda Nkandu, my children Dumisani and Mkhonzeni Lungu for being true and mature friends and to my dear parents, Mr Lungu Jacob and Mrs Lungu, (Ruth Kabwe) you are my pride and joy. v ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Firstly, I would like to thank Almighty God for giving me the wisdom, will, skill and strength to complete this study. The study would not have been a success without the following people: I would like to thank my supervisor, Mr Hirst, B Stuart for his guidance, support and motivation. May God bless you sir. My lovely wife, Nkandu Chanda, and my two sons Dumisani and Mkhonzeni Lungu who suffered my absence, sacrificed their time and resources to ensure that I was successful. I will always be grateful to them. They were a source of motivation during the entire period. My parents, especially my father Mr. Jacob Lungu, immediate young brother Kelvin Lungu and my father in law Mr. Chileshe Chanda and senior citizen Mr. Simfukwe GK, who played a key role in both identifying language consultants (informants) and collecting and providing the semantic and pragmatic values of a number of Namwanga personal names. Thanks also to Mr Zimba Hatchwell for his words of encouragement during my postgraduate studies. My gratitude is also directed to the lecturers in the Department of Literature and Languages at the University of Zambia for their guidance and encouragements. To my classmates, especially the following people; Chibanda Mushiyi, Chola Lemmy, Zulu Arnock, Nambela Gillian, Mwamba Keith and Chisenga Bessy for their invaluable input and support throughout the research process. Thank you for your enthusiasm and always being there. I would also like to thank my head teacher at Muchinga Secondary school Mr. Banda Edwin for his support and encouragement during my studies. Last but not least, many thanks go to my family and friends, including all those that have not been mentioned whose encouragement and support greatly inspired me. You mean a lot to me and you have touched my life in a remarkable way vi TABLE OF CONTENTS COPYRIGHT .................................................................................................................... i DECLARATION ............................................................................................................. ii APPROVAL ................................................................................................................... iii ABSTRACT ..................................................................................................................... iv DEDICATION .................................................................................................................. v ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ............................................................................................ vi TABLE OF CONTENTS .............................................................................................. vii LIST OF TABLES .......................................................................................................... xi LIST OF FIGURES ...................................................................................................... xii LIST OF APPENDICES ............................................................................................. xiii DEFINITIONS OF TERMS ........................................................................................ xiv CHAPTER ONE .............................................................................................................. 1 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................ 1 1.1. Overview ..................................................................................................................... 1 1.2. Background ................................................................................................................. 1 1.2.1.Social Life ............................................................................................................... 2 1.2.2.Naming Practices of the Namwanga People ........................................................... 3 1.2.3.Namwanga Personal Names as Part of Language .................................................. 6 1.2.4. Meaning of Names ................................................................................................. 7 1.2.5. Semantics and Pragmatics...................................................................................... 8 1.2.5.1.Semantics.. ........................................................................................................... 8 1.2.5.2.Pragmatics ............................................................................................................ 9 1.2.5.3. Differences between Semantics and Pragmatics............................................... 10 1.3.Statement of the Problem ......................................................................................... 12 1.4.Purpose of the Study ................................................................................................ 13 1.5.Objectives ................................................................................................................ 13 1.6. Research Questions ................................................................................................. 13 1.7. Significance of the Study .......................................................................................