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Vita04b


The Anthropology of Personal Names: What do they 'mean' and what do they 'do'? 
Convenors:
Bree Blakeman (Australian National University)
Frances Morphy (The Australian National University)
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Discussant:
Piers Kelly
Format:
Panel
Stream:
Vitality
Location:
WPE Paraparap
Sessions:
Friday 25 November, -
Time zone: Australia/Melbourne

Short Abstract:

Naming systems and naming practices are deeply embedded within broader cultural systems and yet the study of personal names has largely remained the domain of onomastics. This panel seeks to give life to this much-understudied field in anthropology.

Long Abstract:

Names mark out individuals, they classify people into pre-existing groups, and they are used as tools in social interaction. They are also far more than their indexical or pragmatic functions. Naming systems and naming practices are deeply embedded within broader cultural systems: they are anchored in cultural theories of creation and being, they offer insights into the way personhood is conceived, and they are inextricably linked to social structures and relations of power.

Alford's (1998) large scale cross-cultural study failed to find a cultural group that did not use personal names and yet the study of personal names has largely remained the domain of onomastics. This panel seeks to give life to this much-understudied field in anthropology.

We invite papers on personal names from all regions and cultural groups. We recognise that personal names are not synonymous with terms of reference or terms of address so we also welcome papers that explore the latter in cases where they are used as substitutes for personal names.

Accepted papers:

Session 1 Friday 25 November, 2022, -