THE EFFECT OF SOUND NOMENCLATURE
DM CHIDIEBERE@michaelchidieberedavid863694
2 days ago
INTRODUCTION
I am Stephanie, call me Stephy for short. I am Isabella but my friends call me Bella. My name is Evergreen but I prefer Eve. I am called JohnBosco but you can call me Johnnie.
All these are nomenclatures given to over thousands of people around the world, for the purpose of easy identification among groups or society and postulating deep meaning in diverse biophilic conditions.
NOMENCLATURE as it stands simply means assigning names to things, people, science or other disciplines. NOMENCLATURE is a Latin word nōmenclātūra. Nōme means name, clātūra or calātus means to proclaim or announce. That is, NOMENCLATURE can easily be said to be a name announced or proclaimed.
ILLUSTRATION I
If something is to be announced in a conversation in a particular manner, let's say CUPBOARD.
"A black snake was seen in that CUPBOARD last week."
Then for easy pronunciation or to conform convention or streamline writing, the first reporter says " a black snake was seen in that BOARD last week."
And the second reporter refers to it as "a black snake was seen in that CUP last week."
Does either of the reporters create any effect on the Object in question? YES, without disputing the fact that the PLACE where the snake was seen has been compromised with the belief of trying to make the conversation saucy or shortened.
The example above stipulates how abbreviating a nomenclature could alter absolutely the meaning of a convention.
ILLUSTRATION II
Let's take for example an AEROPLANE.
"In cloudy weather conditions AEROPLANES are not expected to fly."
If a first reporter makes a headline about Aircraft and only calls AERO in his conversation as such; "In cloudy weather conditions AERO are not expected to fly."
And a second reporter says "In cloudy weather conditions PLANES are not expected to fly."
Does it create any effect in the Object of discussion? Undoubtedly NO, because a headline has been made concerning AIRLINES already before the discussion. So therefore the meaning of that message can still be conveyed consciously because the parties have a picture in mind.
In this case the meaning of the abbreviated nomenclature remains constant (unaltered).
The difference between these two illustrations above strongly holds in the picture created and if the topic of discussion is clearly put out by the disseminator and fully understood by the recipient.
CULTURAL INSIGHT OF NOMENCLATURE
1. Today endeavors are put in to make names sound euphoria thereby putting aside the meaning it conveys. For instance "Nigeria" shortened for "Niger" changes the meaning and even pronunciation.
Does our formidable culture truly say that shortening or adding an affix to a given name affects the individual in question?
If the name Mordecai is shortened for easy pronunciation to Modric, the juiciness is there but the meaning has left, does it affect the bearer's cognitive thinking and physical capability?
If the bearer goes on with this for years and gets it in all documents he possesses. Does the meaning still remain relevant ?
Take for example the name BEATRICE also spelt as BEATRIX which means "SHE WHO MAKES YOU HAPPY." If altered to TRIXY just to conform convention, to fit in or sound erotic. The meaning is already void.
Undisputably, a lot of readers of this piece will like to make reference to the western world whose citizens bear names like Stone, Riot, Flame, Bush etc.
Nevertheless, let it not omit our minds that we (Africans) adhere to a distinct culture from the westerners (Europeans). Their cultural practices are scientific thinking, rational thinking, modern technology, individualism etc. While ours spans from dialects, arts, tribes, festivals, dance, foods, religion etc.
2. Africans are widely known for their diverse cultures and traditions. Nigeria as a case study is not an exemption but strongly upholds its culture and norm at very high esteem.
Taking Childbearing and Naming of the child into personal account. These two almost go in the same direction in Nigeria especially in the southeastern part of the nation.
If a child is delivered with hard labour, you hear names like chidiomimi (God is mysterious).
Or if the husband family has labeled the woman barren and a witch who eats her baby in the womb, if she eventually gives birth you hear names like Nzoputam (My Redeemer/Saviour).
Names like Ogechukwukamma (God's time is the best) comes into play when the family has long waited for a child.
Obianujunwa (One who comes in time of plenty/surplus) usually when a child is born into wealth.
Oluebubechi (great work of God/miraculous God) habitually when the mother wins over a series of accidents while pregnant.
Just to mention a few, these names and others when shortened or added an affix to suit the present generational style or make it erotic or most likely make it sound the Cambridge style, this changes its meaning entirely.
For example, NZOPUTAM as a female Igbo given name, the child may grow up and decide to rename herself "ASSUMPTA". Or CHIDIOMIMI a male Igbo given name, then changed to "OMI"
Such naive changes have uttered the original meaning and purpose of the initial name Void.
And if used in that changed manner for a long time attached to several documents and receipts it becomes a norm and possibly may have an effect in the child's life.
Remember we said, NOMENCLATURE is a name proclaimed or announced. And the purpose in the name proclaimed is in the meaning and event which led to the announcement of the name upon that child. And our culture demands we draw from it always as it flows in us as blood.
RELIGIOUS INSIGHT OF NOMENCLATURE
Christianity is a religion we were told to welcome and accept but never expected it replaces our cultural heritage. It is not amazing that those who gave you Christianity still have their own culture and hold it dearly. YES you may not be aware besides do you know that HALLOWEEN is a cultural practice of the ancient Celtic people of the Indo-European who lived about 2000 years ago but do your findings because that is not the purpose of this article.
In your Bible, a very significant man endorsed with the right and intelligence of given names to all creations of God.
He even named the creature that was brought to him which he confirmed to be the bone of his bone as he called her WOMAN.
We also have the father of all nations whose name changed from ABRAM to ABRAHAM.
Others in the picture are JACOB to ISRAEL, HOSHEA to JOSHUA, GIDEON to JERUBBAAL and SAUL to PAUL.
Even names of cities were changed such as JEBUS to JERUSALEM etc. just a few recorded for reference purposes.
Why are names this significant to God? That if an actor does not bear the name for his purpose then a change is uttered regardless of time duration the bearer may be known with that. As it is in the cases of ABRAHAM, SAUL, JOSHUA etc.
That is to assume, names have deep meaning that carries one to its purpose and helps in achieving its destiny in life.
That is to easily say, one cannot bear a name with ill meaning contrarily to ones purpose in life, if he/she wants to truly succeed. Especially when the name has an ancestry connotation involving deity
A key biblical reference is 1st chronicles 4:10 when Jabez prayed for a change of situation since he understood that his name connotes "PAINS OR SORROW"
Finally in Christianity, NOMENCLATURES have consequential results when announced without permission or for ingenuine reason. Like in Exodus 6:3 where Abraham, Issac and Jacob know God as Almighty God, but to Moses He made known His name JEHOVAH. May I say in this context that the name was made known to Moses and not to the former because a connectivity must be established to reckon to God at any point portraying the degree of assignment on Moses.
Therefore the authenticity for the establishment is sealed. This transcribes the relevance of the name JEHOVAH revealed to Moses alone.
Also Genesis 32:29 when Jacob requested for the name of the Angel he fought with, none was given to him because there was no reason to announce it
And in Judges 13:17-18 when the Angel met Monoah and his wife concerning the birth of Samson. The couple demanded for the Angel's name but nothing was uttered because there was no reason to announce.
If the proclamation or announcement of a name can reinstate lost glory and set into track one's purpose then also unnecessary utterance of one's name at the wrong place or time can be disastrous to one's destiny.
QUESTIONNAIRE
As we said NOMENCLATURE means a name announced or proclaimed.
Does that tell us an individual's name proclaims good or evil, wealth or hardship, wisdom or foolishness, arrogance or humbleness in one's life? If Yes
(I) Should parents hinder their child from taking a new name or a change of name?
(II) Should children take permission from their parents before they utter a name to themselves?
(III) Should naming a child be the sole responsibility of the child when he/she gets to full understanding so he/she could choose wisely?
(IV) Lastly, is it permitted for aunties, uncles or even friends and neighbors to give a name to your baby?
But if NO
(I) Why are names given to individuals Instead of numbers and letters ?
(II) Why do most families still bear a particular surname from past generations maybe of wealthy or successful ancestor ?
I leave you to ponder insightfully on these questions and comment below 👇
📸 F. Udofia
#hellonircle #mynirclefeeds #nirclefamily #nircletools #nircleblogpost #storyteller #nirclestories #poetry #nirclebookclub
IndigoPen
D.M CHIDIEBERE
