The influence of Afrikaans on naming among the Basotho of South Africa

Abstract

Names are important in our daily lives. They are not just labels used for the owners, but have cultural and traditional connotations in the African context. Names are used to identify their bearers. Names are cryptic, terse statements that act as discourses expressing people’s life experiences. To Africans, the meanings of personal names include the name-bearers’ and name-givers’ aspirations, anxieties and goals. This article uses sociocultural theory with the aim to analyse the influence of Afrikaans on personal names given to Basotho in South Africa. This article followed a qualitative research approach and a case study design, where purposive sampling was used to collect data through semi-structured interviews with four people who identify as Basotho. Content analysis was used to look at the data. This article comes to the conclusion that the names Oupa, Ouma, Papi, and Mamikie are given in honour of parents and grandparents since the Basotho believe that they cannot use the name of an elderly person, especially those that have passed away. Such names are also given based on such families’ belief that their deceased family members live on through their children, hence naming them after the deceased.