CHANGES AND DEVELOPMENTS IN MARITAL NAMES AMONG THE IGBO PEOPLE OF NIGERIA: A SOCIOLINGUISTIC INVESTIGATION

Ngozi Chiamaka Oyeka

Abstract


Marital names are names used among couples. It is observed that there are some changes in Igbo marital names. This paper sets out to investigate the changes.  A qualitative approach was adopted and primary data were sourced through interviews. Thirty seven adult male and female respondents from different Igbo communities were purposively sampled and interviewed. The Afrocentric theory was adopted for the analysis of this work.  Findings reveal that Igbo marital names changed from that of the Lord-Servant to companionship names.  The later trend in the marital names is completely devoid of Igbo language and culture.  The noticed changes are as a result of language contact. This paper concludes by advocating that though changes in society and language are inevitable, the Igbo should not lose sight of their culture especially as it regards marriage.  Moreso, the Igbo should preserve her identity through her language by using Igbo marital names.


Full Text:

PDF

References


Abraham, E. (2016). A Socio-Cultural and Linguistic Account of Gbagyi Names. Journal of the Linguistic

Association of Nigeria Supplement 2. On Language in History and Society, 407 - 418.

Achebe, C. (1958). Things Fall Apart. London: Heinemann.

Ahụkanna, J.G.N. (1990). Bilingualism and Code-Mixing in Language Use: The Case of Igbo - English Bilinguals.

In N. Emenanjo (ed.) Multilingualism Minority Languages and Language Policy in Nigeria. Agbor: Central

Books, 175-185.

Anyachebelu, A. (2015). Patterns of Igbo Spousal Names. Ihafa: A Journal of African Studies 7( 1): 214 - 227.

Arua, E. (2009). Gender and Loyalty to First Names in Botswana. In A. Odebunmi, A. Arua and S. Arimi (eds.).

Language, Gender and Politics - A Festschrift for Yisa Kehinde Yusuf. Lagos: Concept, 65-84.

Asante, M. (1998). The Afrocentric Idea. (www.temple.edu/tempress/chapters/500chi.pdf. retrieved on 22/3/2017).

De Klerk, V. and Bosch, B. (1998). Nicknames as Sex-Role Stereotypes. Sex Roles 35(10): 525-541.

Emenanjo, N., Dike, O., Agomo, S., & Ezeuko, R. (1999). Exam Focus Igbo Maka WASSCE & JME. Ibadan:

University Press.

Henslin, J. (2010). Sociology A Down-To-Earth Approach (10th ed.). Boston: Allyn & Bacon.

Ijoma, J. (2002). Igboland: A Historical Perspective. In G. Ofomata (ed.) A Survey of the Igbo Nation. Onitsha:

Africana, 39-54.

Maalej, M. (2009). An Idealized Cognitive Model of Naming: Converging Linguistic and Cognitive Evidence from

Tunisian Arabic. In A. Odebunmi, A. Arua and S. Arimi (eds.) Language, Gender and Politics - A

Festschrift for Yisa Kehinde Yusuf. Lagos: Concept, 35-63.

Millar, R. (2007). Trask’s Historical Linguistics (2nd ed.) Hodder: Euston.

Njoku, O. (2006). The Imperative and Challenge of Igbo History and Culture Studies. Journal of Igbo Studies,1: 13-

Nnamdi-Eruchalu, G. (2009). Language and Social Identity: The significance of Sobriquets of Married Igbo

Women. In A. Chiegboka, C. Nwadigwe, & E. Umezinwa (eds.) The Humanities and Nigeria’s Democratic

Experience. Nimo: Rex, 416-424.

Nwadike, I. (2009). Naịjirịa: Asụsụ, Omenala Na Mmepe Obodo. Jọnal Mmụta Igbo. Journal of Igbo Studies, 4(1):

- 37.

Nwagbo, O.G. (2015). Identity and Nicknames among the Igbo: A Sociolinguistic Investigation. A Paper Presented

at a Multidisciplinary Conference in Honour of Igwe Alfred Achebe, Obi of Onitsha. 17th - 19th July, 2016.

Nwala, T. (1985). Igbo Philosophy. Lagos: Lantern Books.

Ọfọmata, C. (2012). Omenaala Na Ọdịnaala Ndị Igbo. Enugu: Format.

Ogbalu, C.F. (1981). Ndụ Ndị Igbo. Onitsha: University Publishing Company.

Ogbulogo, C. (1999). Names as Discourse: A Study of Igbo Female Names. Journal of Cultural Studies Gender and

Politics of Representation in Africa, 1. (1): 61-68.

Onuoha, O. (2008). Language Change: Some Emerging Evidence from Igbo Proper Names. In I. Ikwubuzo, C.

Ohiri-Aniche & C. Nnabuihe (eds.) Udezuligbo: A Festschrift in Honour of Sam Uzochukwu. Lagos: Green

Olive, 224-240.

Ọnwụdiwe, G., Ugochukwu, C. (2012). Language as a Vehicle for Cultural Transmission: The Case of Igbo

Language. Ọja. An International Journal of Igbo, African & Asian Studies, 2 - 10.

Opara. B. O. (2012). Language and Politics: An Appraisal of Some Peculiarities of Political Language and the

Implications for National Integration. NATECEP Journal of English and Communication Studies, 8 : 156-

Opara, B.O. (2013). Language Use for Ethnic and religious Tolerance: Implications for Social Stability in Nigeria.

IKENGA International Journal of African Studies,15: 240-255.

The Holy Bible (King James Version) (2007) Bible for all Limited.


Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.


Copyright (c) 2017 Ngozi Chiamaka Oyeka