Vol. 45 No. 2 (1997)
Research Article

Nicknames of English Adolescents in South Africa

PDF
  • Vivian de Klerk,
  • Barbara Bosch
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1179/nam.1997.45.2.101

Published 1997-06-01

Copyright (c) 1997 Maney

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Abstract

Abstract

This study reports on the nicknames of English-speaking adolescents in South Africa. It documents the nicknames and their origins and analyzes them in terms of the conditions under which they were coined and used. English adolescents have a very sensitive understanding of the complex and shifting set of social relationships underlying the choice and use of nicknames. Because of their optional nature and their transience as terms of address, nicknames offer up-to-date insights into social relationships which are not so evident in the more static, permanent aspects of language.

PDF

References

  1. Alford Richard D. 1987. Naming and Identity: A Cross-cultural Study of Personal Naming Practices. New Haven, CT. HRAF Press.
  2. Bosch, Barbara, 1994. “Bynaamnavorsing - ’n Bestekopname.” Nomina Africana 8: 27–39.
  3. Bosch, Barbara and Vivian de Klerk. 1994. “Oor Klokkies en Sticks: Byname in ’n Afrikaanssprekende Gemeenskap.” Nomina Africana 8: 41–57.
  4. Brown, Roger and Marguerite Ford. 1964. “Address in American EnglishLanguage in Culture and Society. Ed. Dell Hymes. NY: Harper and Row,234–44.
  5. Busse, Thomas V. 1983. “Nickname Usage in an American High School.” Names 31: 300–306.
  6. de Klerk, Vivian and Barbara Bosch. 1995. “Naming in Two Cultures: English and Xhosa Practises.” Nomina Africana 9: 68–87.
  7. Holland, Theodore J., Jr. 1990. “The Many Faces of Nicknames.” Names 38: 255–72.
  8. Koopman, A. 1979. “Zulu Male and Female Names.” African Studies 38: 153–166.
  9. Kropf, A. and R. Godfrey. 1915. A Kafir-English Dictionary. Lovedale: Mission Press.
  10. Landman, Kas. 1986. “Byname.” Verrigtinge van die Tweede Suider- Afrikaanse naamkundekongres Pretoria: RGN.
  11. Leslie, Paul L. and James K. Skipper. 1990. “Towards a Theory of Nicknames: A Case for Socio-onomastics.” Names 38: 273–282.
  12. McDowell, John H. 1981. “Towards a Semiotics of Nicknaming: The Kamsa Example.” Journal of American Folklore 94: 1–18.
  13. Morgan, J., C. O’Neill, and R. Harré. 1979. Nicknames: Their Origins and Social Consequences. London: Routledge and Kegan Paul.
  14. Neethling, S.J. “Xhosa Nicknames.” South African Journal of African Languages 14: 88–92.
  15. Phillips, Betty. 1990. “Nicknames and Sex Role Stereotypes.” Sex Roles 23: 281–289.
  16. Raper, P. 1987. “Aspects of Onomastic Theory.” Nomina Africana 1: 78–91.
  17. Van Buren, H. 1974. “The American Way With Names.” In Topics in Cultural Learning, Vol 2. Ed. R.W. Brislin. Honolulu: East-West Center, 67–118. Also ERIC ED 097 365.
  18. Van Langendonck, W. 1983. “Socio-onomastic Properties of Bynames.” G.S. Nienaber - ’n Huldeblyk. Ed. A. J. L. Sinclair. Bellville: UWC Press.
  19. Wierzbicka, Anna. 1992. Semantics, Culture and Cognition. Oxford: Oxford UP.

Most read articles by the same author(s)