36.3537, Media: ICOS Onomastics Online Talk: Offspring of an Outcast: The Cultural Significance of Naming Among the Basotho (Rethabile Possa)

Wed Nov 19 19:05:02 UTC 2025

LINGUIST List: Vol-36-3537. Wed Nov 19 2025. ISSN: 1069 - 4875.

Subject: 36.3537, Media: ICOS Onomastics Online Talk: Offspring of an Outcast: The Cultural Significance of Naming Among the Basotho (Rethabile Possa)

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Date: 19-Nov-2025
From: Chrismi-Rinda Loth [LothC at ufs.ac.za]
Subject: ICOS Onomastics Online Talk: Offspring of an Outcast: The Cultural Significance of Naming Among the Basotho (Rethabile Possa)

Onomastics Online
11 December 2025
17:00-18:00 (UTC+2)
Microsoft Teams (preregistration required):
https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/8e439fdc-aff5-414a-b733-7ec07d273768@8efc1bb9-b90f-4a48-bf6c-ba0686193b80
Speaker: Rethabile Possa (University of Cape Town, South Africa)
Moderator: Chrismi-Rinda Loth (University of the Free State, South
Africa)
OFFSPRING OF AN OUTCAST: THE CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE OF NAMING AMONG THE
BASOTHO
ABSTRACT: This study explores the cultural context of naming practices
among the Basotho, using onomastic theory to analyze the
socio-cultural meanings embedded in names. Names in Basotho society
are not arbitrary; they reflect social status, historical events, and
communal values. The research investigates how individuals labeled as
“outcasts” are named and how these names carry social implications
that influence identity, belonging, and social interactions. Through
qualitative methods, including interviews and textual analysis, the
study examines the semantic, morphological, and sociolinguistic
features of names associated with marginalization. Onomastic theory
provides a framework to understand how names act as social markers,
reinforcing or challenging societal norms. The findings reveal that
names associated with social exclusion often carry a historical and
emotional burden, reflecting broader societal attitudes toward
marginality. Additionally, the study underscores the dynamic nature of
naming practices, as shifts in social perceptions influence the
redefinition and reclamation of once-stigmatized names. The research
contributes to the understanding of identity construction through
language, offering insights into the relationship between naming
practices, cultural heritage, and social cohesion within Basotho
communities.
Keywords: Onomastic theory, Basotho naming practices, social identity,
cultural heritage, marginalisation.
Register here:
https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/8e439fdc-aff5-414a-b733-7ec07d273768@8efc1bb9-b90f-4a48-bf6c-ba0686193b80
-       Upon registration you will receive an email with the link.
-       The system will also circulate a reminder with the link an
hour before the event.
ICOS policy on privacy:
https://icosweb.net/membership/icos-personal-data-protection-policy/.
BIOGRAPHY: Prof Rethabile Possa is Head of African Languages and
Literatures, Senior lecturer, a member of the Language Policy
Committee and a Student Registration Advisor in the Faculty of
Humanities at the University of Cape Town. She is the appointed
Residence Warden for Fuller Hall and a Deputy Warden at Forest Hill.
Prof Possa is a published author with several academic publications
and Sesotho Drama book, children’s story and poetry. She is currently
a Sesotho editor for AVBOB poetry competition. She is the Chairperson
of Sesotho National Bodies in South Africa. She is recognized
internationally as a keynote speaker for academic forums. She is the
Principal examiner for the International Baccalaureate Organisation.
Her research focuses on Folklore, Onomastics, Poetry and research
studies in intellectualisation of African languages particularly
Sesotho language with the advantage of knowing two Sesotho
orthographies. She has an in-depth background in Sesotho
communications teaching, translation, editing and writing.
Website: https://g.co/kgs/wH83iUj /
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3472-7270
Onomastics Online lecture series:
Onomastics Online is a series of online lectures dealing with
important timely topics related to names and naming. Given by
distinguished scholars from various academic backgrounds, the lectures
demonstrate the importance and the multidisciplinary nature of
onomastic research. To see the list of upcoming and past lectures,
please visit our webpage at: https://icosweb.net/onomastics-online/.
Previous lectures can be found on our YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/@theinternationalcouncilofo2460.
If you are interested in ICOS membership, please see the details here:
https://icosweb.net/membership/membership-registration/.

Linguistic Field(s): Sociolinguistics
                     Syntax

Subject Language(s): Southern Sotho (sot)

Language Family(ies): Sotho

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