Names and Naming

Research Paper # 115216

Anthropology
Anthropology > Cultural
Communication

Names and Naming

A look at the semiotic, linguistic and anthropological perspectives to names and naming.

6,377 words () | 26 sources | MLA | 2008

Paper Summary:

This paper reviews the exploration of names and naming in three aspects: semiotics, linguistics, and anthropology. The author explains that names, according to the semiotic theory, are a kind of sign; they link our conception to objects in the world whereas in linguistics, the word class, meanings and uses of names are examined. The paper also explores the anthropology of names and naming, observing that names have some kind of social and cultural meaning - names are often used as a metonym since they can convey some specific message to the hearers and gives people their social identity by indicating gender, ethnicity, and social relationship in many cultures. This paper includes figures.

Outline:
Introduction
Semiotics of Names
Linguistic Exploration of Names
The Word Class Of Names
The Meaning Of Names
Mill (1874)
Frege (1892)
Russell (1905 and 1912)
Waismann (1965)
Kripke (1972)
Lyons (1977)
Hofmann (1993)
The Uses Of Names
Metonymic Uses Of Names
Names and Ambiguity
The Anthropology of Names and Naming
Names and Identities
The Roles Of Names
Naming And Culture
Conclusion
References

From the Paper:

"Although names and naming, as mentioned above, were studied in several fields, only three major disciplines, semiotics, linguistics, and anthropology, will be explored in this paper. If you asked me 'why these three disciplines?' I shall answer you that because they are the most basic principle concerning most studies (of names and naming). To understand the issue, we have to explore it through these three perspectives. Semiotics explains our conception of names; linguistics reveals knowledge of names as a part of languages; and anthropology suggests social and cultural aspects of names and naming. So, I believe that the exploration through these three fields should cover the major studies of names and naming."

Sample of Sources Used:

Alexander, Hubert G. Language and Thinking: A Philosophical Introduction , D.Van Nostrand Company, Inc. Toronto, 1967.
Alford, R.D. "Naming Practices: Given Names. In B.K. Rothman,ed"., The Encyclopedia of childbearing. New York, Henry Holt and Co. 1993
Anderson, J. M. The Grammar of Names. New York: Oxford University Press. 2007.
Bacchielli, R. 'Why not whet our curiosity about names?' SLIN Newsletter 39:6-25. 2005
Bruck G.V. and Bodernhorn, Babara. The Anthropology of Names and Naming. Cambridge University Press. 2006.