Morpho-semantic analysis of extrinsic and intrinsic linguistic features in personal and kinship names of the Nandi

Abstract

Nandi is a subtribe of the larger Kalenjin people, majority of whom live in the rift valley region of Kenya. The community has a unique naming system that defines their personal and cultural identity, yet few studies have examined the intrinsic and extrinsic features of the Nandi naming system. This study examined the extrinsic and intrinsic linguistic features inherent in the Nandi personal and kinship names. The study adopted an exploratory research design. The target population included all native Nandi dialect speakers drawn from 30 Nandi County administrative wards. The respondents were purposively sampled and comprised 240 local elders. Data for the study was collected using focus group discussions with 30 groups (each with 8 elders). Data was analysed morpho-semantically. In this approach, semantic analysis of Nandi personal and kinship names was done using the constituent morphemes to access the underlying meaning of names. The study found that the Nandi naming system was guided by the nature of childbirth and activities depicted, and that the names were in relation to various circumstances, such as the presence of visitors, migration, harvest, famine, locus invasion, among others. The names were also assigned based on time, season, place of birth, nature of labour pregnancy, birth of twins, and order of birth. The study contributes to linguistic theory and practice as it underscores the value of cultural sensitivity in addressing the Nandi..