Skip to main content

ETHNOS_APP

Home • Search • Journals • List 0

Onomastic devices in Shaaban Robert's narratives

Bibliographic Data

ID2172830
AuthorsDeo Ngonyani (0000-0002-2034-3604, corresponding author)
Year2001
Volume14
Issue2
Pages125-136
Publication date2001-12-01
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of African Cultural Studies (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1369-6815 • E-ISSN: 1469-9346
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/13696810120107087
OpenAlexW1998410306
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited2

This paper examines the use of names in the narratives of Swahili's literary giant, Shaaban Robert. It explores the symbolic nature of the carefully selected or invented names as well as the use of names as a discursive strategy. Focusing on his allegorical trilogy of Kusadikika , Adili na Nduguze and Kufikirika , the paper reveals Shaaban's unparalleled linguistic exuberance as evidenced in the semantics and symbolism of names. A compendium of names is provided, complete with meanings of each anthroponym and toponym and the roles it plays. The paper discusses the function of names in narrating the stories. It argues that names define the discourse as fiction, as well as situate narrator and readers, summarize plots and provide didactic instruction ‐ a common feature of Shaaban's writings

Art · Compendium · Foregrounding · Function (biology · Linguistics · Literature · Narrative · Onomastics · Proper noun · Swahili · Toponymy · Trilogy · African history and culture analysis · Global Maritime and Colonial Histories · History · Names, Identity, and Discrimination Research · Philosophy

  • Why Does a Swahili Writer Write? Euphoria, Pain, and Popular Aspirations in Swahili Literature

    Farouk Topan•Research in African Literatures•2006

  • Whither Literary Onomastics? “Prufrock” Revisited

    Open Access•Michel Grimaud•Names•1993

  • Dickens and the Cratylus

    Carrol Clarkson•The British Journal of Aesthetics•1999

Citations per year0.05
Citation span2006 - 2006 (1)
Highly citedNo

Tools

Open DOISci-Hub
Ethnos_APP • Open Source Project • MIT License • Frontend v2.0.0 • Privacy and Cookies • API Documentation: api.ethnos.app/docs • API Source Code: GitHub • DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.17049435 • Frontend Source Code: GitHub • DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.17050053 • cruz.rio.br • Expectantes Misericordiae