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Article published In: Naming and Labelling Contexts of Cultural Importance in Africa
Edited by Nico Nassenstein, Sambulo Ndlovu and Svenja Völkel
[International Journal of Language and Culture 10:2] 2023
► pp. 269–287

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Mobile philosophies

A case of inscriptions on public transport vehicles (kombis) used as entrepreneurial names in Harare, Zimbabwe

 | University of Zimbabwe
 | University of South Africa
 | University of Zimbabwe
Published online: 3 May 2024
DOI logo with link
https://doi.org/10.1075/ijolc.00055.cha
Abstract
Naming is a common practice in all societies. In each society, naming practices follow patterns that are generally predictable within their respective and identifiable feature categories.Names come from different sources and are inspired by the lived experiences of their bestowers. Whilst some names have clear and easily traceable meanings owing to their semantically transparent morphology or syntax, other meanings are only accessible when one gleans through the histories behind the names. Such histories come from the name givers’ epistemological systems. Thus, besides being forms of identity, different categories of names perform different functions. This paper is an analysis of inscriptions written on public transport vehicles, commonly known as kombis. We argue that these inscriptions are names. Hence, the article interrogates the functions of these names and tries to unearth the philosophies contained therein. The inscriptions were gathered from kombis plying their routes on the streets of Harare, Zimbabwe’s capital city. Data relating to the origins of these names and their semantic, cultural, and social significance was collected from kombi owners and crews.
Article outline
  • 1.Introduction
  • 2.Linguistic anthropology
  • 3.Data: Operational names and the kombi subculture
    • 3.1Boasts
    • 3.2Names that index the identity of the vehicle owner and/or driver
    • 3.3Names derived from sports teams and personalities
    • 3.4Christian names
    • 3.5Sermonic and thanksgiving names
    • 3.6Names and popular trends in society
  • 4.Conclusion
  • Note
  • References
References (39)
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