“Diacronia” bibliometric database (BDD)
Title:

The right to a good name: Muslim and Xhosa children

Author:
Publication: Numele și numirea. Actele Conferinței Internaționale de Onomastică. Ediția I: Interferențe multietnice în antroponimie, p. 77
ISBN:978-606-543-176-8
Editors:Oliviu Felecan
Publisher:Editura Mega
Place:Cluj-Napoca
Year:
Abstract:In Islamic Law, the choice of a good name is a fundamental childhood right. It is hoped that the name will inspire self-respect and in the years that lie ahead will give the child something to aspire to. Muslim parents therefore choose lexical items from Arabic that would emphasise a good personality or character feature envisaged for the child.
Although it is not commonly expressed in such terms, it appears as if most Xhosa speaking parents also accept and practise this childhood right. Items with a positive meaning or connotation are selected from the Xhosa lexicon to be used in name formation.
It is argued in this contribution that the Muslim community, comprising mostly of the so-called ‘Coloured’ grouping, and the Xhosa speaking community of the Western Cape, South Africa, in effect practise the same name giving conventions when bestowing names on children, although the basic philosophy on the one hand (Muslim) is inspired by a specific religious affiliation and is also intimately connected with the Arabic language, whereas in the other (Xhosa) it is firmly embedded in the Xhosa culture and language. The examples are from the names of students at the University of the Western Cape.
Key words:Muslim names, name and identity, onomastics
Language: English
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Citations to this publication: 3

References in this publication: 0

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