Open AccessXhosa First Names: A Dual Identity in Harmony or in Conflict?
Author(s) -
Bertie Neethling
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
names
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.2
H-Index - 12
eISSN - 1756-2279
pISSN - 0027-7738
DOI - 10.1179/175622708x282938
Subject(s) - xhosa , harmony (color) , convention , ethnic group , sociology , identity (music) , democracy , linguistics , gender studies , history , law , political science , anthropology , politics , aesthetics , art , philosophy , visual arts
Xhosa speakers in South Africa often carry a true Xhosa ('ethnic') name as well as an English one. This came about as a result of colonization and the efforts of the missionaries who often bestowed a 'church' or 'school' name upon children. This has become a convention. With the advent of full democracy, one expects that name carriers might develop different perspectives on this convention. It is argued that Xhosa society (and African society broadly speaking) is divided on this issue: although there are indications that the ethnic name is gaining ground over the English one, many name carriers are also quite content with their English names.