LANGUAGE USE IN NAMING CEREMONY IN EDO

ABSTRACT

This research effort focuses on the sociolinguistic analysis of naming in Edo, a language in the Western part of Edo State. The Edo language is actually spoken in seven speech communities which are: Oredo, Orhionmwon, Uhumwonde, Egor, Ikpoba-Okha, Ovia South East and Ovia North East Local Government Areas of Edo State. This work aims at examining and describing the naming activities and objectS of ceremony among the Edo people. Data gathered for this study were collected from personal interviews and from the researcher’s participation in the ceremony. The study is analyzed using a descriptive approach as presented by Horton (1995). The major findings of this study however reveals that the choice of a name given to a child is dependent on the situation surrounding the child’s birth and this goes a long way in determining the fate of the child.