Mabia languages and cultures expressed through personal names

This paper is a comparative study of names and naming practices among speakers of Dagbani, Kusaal, Likpakpaanl and Sisaali. We discuss in detail the ceremonies that accompany the naming of a newborn among speakers of theses languages. by using the framework of ethnopragmatics, the study explores the cultural-internal dynamics of personal names by comparing the typology of names in the four languages. It draws attention to the fact that personal names are not given randomly but rather influence by the special circumstances surrounding the birth of the name bearer and also by the advice of a diviner. This study reveals how culture is crafted through personal names. it is also observed that speakers  of these languages have a common perception or worldview evident in their traditional cultural practices.

Keywords: personal names, Mabia languages, anthroponyms, semantics, ethnopragmatics