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Introduction
The word Name can have various meanings depending on the social and the linguistic elements of life. Names are used to identify people or a class depending on the social groups as a result of human interaction. Names like Oprah Winfrey, Nelson Mandela, and David Beckham influence the way people live and interact with others. They will be classified as celebrities depending on the social class assigned by the society. Such celebrities and movies influence our cultures and beliefs through imitation and copying, thus, we deviate from our cultures and adopt the new culture. With time, what once was just a thought or an idea becomes incorporated into our cultures and becomes the way we live. It is through the use of names that we attempt to determine our own future.
Language is often used to convey words defining our social and cultural practices. Different regions speak different dialects as a result of cultural practices. It is through languages that we are able to express our cultures. Dr. Johnson once argued:
“If language was invented, it was invented either by children or adults; it could not have been invented by children, because children do not know enough to invent a language; it could not have been invented by adults. Because adults are not pliable enough to learn a language: therefore the appearance of language in the history of mankind has to be due to divine inspiration” (Fillmore 1976, p.20).
It is through cultural practices that names are given. These names describe our personality and who we are.
Aspects of personality
Most of the time, the names given to us bring about different aspects of our personality. This means that once given a nickname, we tend to act more according to the characters of that name. Brazil is best known for its soccer prowess, thus, most of the time, if one meets an Australian soccer player, the most likely nickname given to him/her will be of a Brazilian footballer. This will portray his personality as a football player comparing him/her to the said player even though he is not from Brazil. A good athlete can also be given a Kenyan nickname to highlight his prowess in running since Kenyans are known to be good athletes. Such nicknames make the person strive to be like the Brazilians when playing soccer or like the Kenyans when running. At times, such nicknames are interpreted differently by different people believing one is a Brazilian or a Kenyan because of his/her nickname.
Names often define one’s personality, but they do not give one a different personality or identity. This can be proved by a soccer player like David Beckham. He is famously known for kicking free kicks that curve in their flight towards goal which resulted in the phrase “Bend it like Beckham”. This phrase refers to aspects of his action of scoring goals from his free kicks. The phrase “Bend it like Beckham” describes his personality but cannot give him a different personality. The phrase “Bend it like Beckham” can also be interpreted in various ways. For soccer fans, they will interpret this phrase correctly as his free kick prowess. Other people may interpret depending on their culture or their profession.
Book writers often pass their ideologies and beliefs to readers who interpret differently depending on their understanding. This can affect the way we relate with other members of the society and one’s culture. A good example of such a book is The Picture of Dorian Gray, whereby, the writer uses myth, and his thoughts to pass a message to the reader on the dangers of uncontrolled pleasures of life without regard to morality. This is portrayed by Dorian Gray, Lord Henry and Basil Hallward who are the main characters of his book. Lord Henry influenced Dorian to live a pleasure seeking life through his thoughts and perceptions. Dorian changed his personality to suit his needs, and, as a result, he engaged in sinful acts, which were portrayed on his portrait. This story shows the social world Dorian decided to live was a construction of Lord Henry’s ideologies. After years of sinning, he became dissatisfied with the life he lived, thus, stabbed his portrait to live a moral life again.
People are often named after famous people, religious beliefs, culture and season of the year. Such names tend to define who we are. If someone is named after Nelson Mandela, his personality will be brought forth as a person who will fight for other peoples’ rights. In Africa, some people are named depending on the season of the year as per their culture. A person can be named after harvesting season and this name will be interpreted as a blessing to the community. The cultures and beliefs of the African people will interpret this as someone who will bring blessings to the people future.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it can be determined that the use of names can influence our social life as well as express one’s personality.
References
Fillmore, C 1976 Frame Semantics and the Nature of Language, Web.
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