AfricaBib 
bibliographic database
| Previous page | New search |
The free AfricaBib App for Android is available here
 Periodical article |
 Leiden University catalogue |
 WorldCat |
| Title: | More than mere linguistic tricks: the sociopragmatic functions of some nicknames used by Shona-speaking people in Harare |
| Author: | Mashiri, Pedzisai |
| Year: | 2004 |
| Periodical: | Zambezia (ISSN 0379-0622) |
| Volume: | 31 |
| Issue: | 1-2 |
| Pages: | 22-45 |
| Language: | English |
| Notes: | biblio. refs. |
| Geographic terms: | Zimbabwe Southern Africa |
| Subjects: | nicknames Shona language sociolinguistics language Shona (African people) Social interaction |
| External link: | https://ir.uz.ac.zw/bitstream/handle/10646/444/02-Mashiri.pdf |
| Abstract: | Urban Shona speakers often use nicknames as linguistic resources to perform a variety of social functions in everyday informal interactions. Nicknames may be used to display affection and positive feelings, to indicate social demarcation and solidarity, to exert social control, as intimate play, as an insult indicating dislike or disrespect, or to express praise. Shona nicknaming occurs in a wide array of relationships and age groups, although it happens more frequently among males than females. The forms nicknames take and the nicknaming patterns depend on the social distance between the participants, their relative social statuses, the context of nicknaming and the speakers' intention. The data derive from field notes from participant observation of naturally occurring interactions in public and private spheres over a period of one year (from September 2003 to September 2004) in and around the city of Harare, Zimbabwe, and transcriptions of semi-structured, in-depth interviews conducted with 60 Shona native speakers of varying ages, gender, social status, occupations and religious affiliations. Bibliogr., notes, ref., sum. [Journal abstract] |
