The Sociocultural, Linguistic and Religious Implications of Numerical Code in Yoruba Personal Names
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Date
2017
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Department of Linguistics, Language and Culture
Abstract
This study examines the use of numerals in Yoruba personal names
based on the preference attached to this category of Yoruba names. It illustrates the socio-cultural, linguistic and religious roles played by the numerical code in Yoruba personal names .. The study, which is descriptive, makes use of semiotics, which is the study of science of signs, draws its data from some Yoruba textbooks and participant observation. The study shows that the socio-cultural, linguistic and religious functions of Yoruba numerical personal names include one (1), more than one or greater than one (1 + or >1), which is only coded with (JIG (wealth). Two (2) is coded with wealth, religion, birth circumstance, chieftaincy among others. Eight (8) is exclusively coded with (JIG (wealth). Two hundred (200) is mostly coded with 'wealth, royalty or kingship. It is found out from the study that numerical code two (2) occurs in all the contexts examined in this study. This is believed to be as a result of important roles played . by two (2) in Ifa divination. It is equally found out that all the numerical codes in Yoruba personal names are used to express joy, birth circumstance, honor, chieftaincy, royalty and kingship:
In other words, numerical code is never used {a express displeasure and bad state of heart such as sadness, grief or sorrow.
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Keywords
Numerical, culture, socio-cultural, linguistics, religion, personal name