Naming System, Gender Construction And Gender Stereotyping In Kindali: A Case Study Of Bundali Division

ABSTRACT

This study was about naming system, gender construction, and gender stereotyping in Kindali. The aim of the study was to investigate and assess the nature of Kindali naming system and how the society constructs and stereotypes gender through naming system in Kindali. The study was guided by three specific objectives which are: to examine the nature of Kindali naming system, to investigate how the society constructs gender through naming system in Kindali, and to investigate how the society fosters gender stereotyping through naming system in Kindali. The primary data were collected through questionnaires and interviews, which made the study a worthwhile activity. The languages used in collection of data are Kiswahili and Kindali. The study dealt with three objectives that are related to naming system in Kindali. Firstly, the study attempted to examine the nature of Kindali naming system; that naturally Kindali has elaborate and overt morphological and derivational semantic processes for naming. Secondly, the study revealed that the society constructs gender through naming system by affixation, especially the use of prefix and common uses of names basing on gender. Thirdly, the study revealed that the society fosters gender stereotyping through naming system by using Kindali names which their meanings praise males and demean females.