Generation and Attribution of Nicknames among Secondary School Students: Indices of Linguistic Creativity

Abstract

The subject of naming is a universal one (Ajileye and Ajileye, 2003) but it has different importance in different clans. The motivation for this study is hinged on the extent to which nicknames are generated and attributed among secondary school students in the study area, as well as the meaning negotiation involved. Different approaches to the study and classification of names and nicknames are adopted for the study. Using random sampling technique, the paper drew data from four secondary schools in Ilorin metropolis for its analysis. The study found that secondary school students generate and attribute nicknames based on certain factors like physical qualities, bearer’s behaviour, media influence, Anglicism, etc., and that all these are pointers to their linguistic creativity. The paper’s conclusion is that a study like this will go a long way to expand the frontiers of knowledge and provide useful insights for language study, especially in the area of names and naming where context plays important roles in meaning negotiation.

Key terms: Name(s), Categorisation of Names, Anglicism, Contact Linguistics, Linguistic Creativity