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Sunday, June 13, 2021

Excerpt Of A 1999 Thesis About Zulu Nicknames (Lawrence Molefe, University Of South Africa)

Edited by Azizi Powell

This pancocojams post presents a brief excerpt of a 1999 thesis about Zulu Nicknames written by Lawrence Molefe, University of South Africa.

This excerpt includes portions of Chapter 1 and portions of Chapter 2 of this thesis. There are a total of eight chapters in this thesis totaling 193 pages, Pancocojams visitors are encouraged to read this entire online thesis.  

The content of this post is presented for onomastic and cultural purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to Lawrence Molefe for his research on and writing about Zulu nicknames. 
-snip-
Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2021/06/2005-journal-excerpt-zulu-nicknames.html for the closely related pancocojams post entitled "
2005 Journal Excerpt: "Zulu Nicknames Within a Wider World Context" by Nobuhle Purity Ndimande-Hlongwa".

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THESIS EXCERPT
http://uir.unisa.ac.za/bitstream/handle/10500/17488/thesis_molefe_l.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y

ONOMASTIC ASPECTS OF ZULU NICKNAMES WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO SOURCE AND FUNCTIONALITY

by

LAWRENCE MOLEFE

submitted in accordance with the requirements for the degree of 
DOCTOR OF LITERATURE AND PHILOSOPHY

in the subject AFRICAN LANGUAGES

at the UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH AFRICA

November 1999

[,,,]

CHAPTER ONE

1.1 Background

This chapter aims at, first of all, defining and identifying the concept "nickname". Definitions will be offered in terms of one instance where nicknames occur commonly, which is: nicknames given to people. It is equally important to start with a clear understanding of what is a name then a nickname.

A proper name is a word or a specialised term or a linguistic speech sound that is bestowed upon an individual for everybody to identify him/her with. It remains a label for that particular person until such time that circumstances create a change of it.

[…]

Names can be categorised into classes such as first names, as in Jabu and Sipho. In some countries, like Spain where people are very name-conscious, this is called a legal name (Mcdowell 1981 :2). The middle name may follow after the first name has been given.

[page 2]

There are "home names" which originate as children are born into the family. Mothers and fathers choose these names. This is what Koopman (1979a:67) regards as a home name as he summarises: Iaama, igama lasekhaya "name, home-name": a personal traditional name ...

There are "Christian" names too. In Zulu societies these come after family names. In most cases, bestowers of these names tend to use words from other languages. English has been popular for quite a long time and still is. Koopman (1979a:67) points out the use of European languages in the making of second names: Igama lesilungu, igama lasedolobheni 'Europeanname, town-name' a name for reference in the J outside world ...

Few Zulu nicknames come from Afrikaans and they seldom come from other South African indigenous languages. Some people, though very few, end up having three names. One could be from the Zulu language, and two, from English. Or two from Zulu (or from other languages) and one from English. All these precede nicknames.

Other names may come from anywhere and from any activities that individuals tend to engage in. Zulus have what we call 'ukugiya' (cavorting) which is a type of prancing dance. A name can be made out of the praises that an individual might chant during it. Koopman (1979a:67) lists .this type in his definition:

Isithopho_"personal praise-name, nickname", also known as the giya_"dancing" name ...

After all the names that are discussed above (family names, Christian names, etc.) comes a nickname, then a

[page 3]

surname.

[…]

A surname is also explained in terms of the Zulu context by Koopman (1979a:67) as: "Isibongo 'clan-name': the name of the clan into which one is born. Equivalent to a surname ... "

Africans also use the term "clan names" for surnames. In a chain of ancestors a name of one of them can be used as a clan name. This means that the generations that come after that ancestor will all name themselves after him/her. The notion that all of them are born of that individual transforms the name of the ancestor in question into a surname, thus known in Zulu as isithakazelo.

Looking at the nicknames at issue, one would define them as extra names (hence nickname) added onto registered first names (which usually appear in legal documents). It happens, though rarely, that a person receives only one nickname throughout a life time. Of course, this depends on circumstances and kinds of people interacted with. 

[…]

1.3 Method of Collecting Data

Areas where research was done are scattered between the Provinces of KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng. In KwaZulu-Natal, it was conducted in the strip stretching from the Pietermaritzburg vicinity to the Western parts of the district. The areas to be noted in the Western parts of Pietermaritzburg are Hawick, Impendle, Nottingham Road, Underberg and Bulwer. Areas around Durban were incorporated as well, namely, Clermont in Pinetown and Umlazi.

In KwaZulu-Natal, the richest tradition of all is Loteni,

[page 7]

my home area. More nicknames found in this area were a combination of people's, places', animals' and objects' nicknames than anywhere ·else. Besides data obtained from informants, are those I know merely because I was a local boy there in my youth.

In Gauteng, research was conducted in areas like Soweto, Pretoria and Germiston. Other provinces were drawn in. For instance, when it comes to the manner in which nicknames were collected from a Radio Ukhozi programme called "Isigungu". The listeners phone in to greet one another from 12h00 midnight to 04h00 in the morning. They are a syndicate with an enrolment policy which requires that one has to use a nickname as a pre-requisite for acceptance into the syndicate. This research collected about 3000 nicknames from this remarkable programme.

Questionnaires (Appendix 2) were sent to the abovementioned provinces and some penetrated into other provinces not mentioned above, such as Mpumalanga, Free State, etc. Other questionnaires were handed over to university students from Durban and Madadeni in KwaZuluNatal. No less than 98 nicknames were collected from only 60 student respondents whose ages ranged from 22 to 44.

1.4 Review of Literature

[...]

[page 13]

In her article in Nomina Africana entitled Nicknaming Across Cultures (1998:1-14) Vivian De Klerk looks at the general reasons for the occurrence of nicknames taking Xhosa as a case in point. She assumes that they are informally acquired and will rarely follow linguistic rules in their formation, except for their sound system (ibid:1;4). She generalises that nicknames reflect a relaxed atmosphere between makers and victims. Her research is based on nicknames coined by employees for their employers. When these nicknames are meant to comment negatively against the employer they are used secretly to avoid risking the employer's discipline. But De Klerk is justified to conclude it is a relaxed atmosphere even though she is looking at a work situation. The employee cannot jeopardise his/her position by creating a tense atmosphere through openly calling the boss "cheeky" names.

[page 14]

Chapter 7 looks at these linguistic constructions as featuring in nicknames. De Klerk's assumptions are at par with those in Zulu nicknames. Our argument here adds more to this as it explores all corners of circumstances under which nicknames are given. All of her examples in the linguistic analysis of nicknames are Xhosa ones. But they are an apt comparison for this study for Xhosa constructions show common properties with Zulu. In her final analysis she says that nicknames contribute significantly to intercultural trends and the incorporation of her work into this study bears her contention out fittingly.

[…]

[page 21]

[...]

Neethling analyses Xhosa nicknames which seem to have many common qualities with Zulu nicknames. We should not forget that differences occur also and examples below will substantiate these observations. For instance, he starts by analysing names which are very important in our argument as data that lay a foundation for the coining of nicknames. Some say that a nickname must come after the name. A very interesting deviation found by Neethling is where he defines the nickname as an address that obliterates the personal name. Among the Zulus we notice that when the nickname is prominent, the name is relegated to secondary position. Yet it is true that nicknames may be formed from legal names through shortening. Another aspect that brings Xhosa and Zulu close to each other is their morphological structure where Xhosa uses a noun class 1a prefix u- and a noun class 2a prefix oo-. The only slight difference is that Zulu uses only o- in the latter. Interestingly again, female nicknames among the Zulus do not need any additions, neither do they need any dropping of formatives. All that happens is that the no and ma- which are female and male markers respectively,

[page 22]

will never channel the nickname wrongly to either a male or a female. No lexical meaning will be lost when nicknames are made from names. Moreover, borrowing from other languages like English, whether with adaptation or not this, will still be correct among the Zulus. Lastly, nicknames among the Zulus will be taken up by anybody.

Chapter 3 deals with givers and bearers and will give a full account of who nicknames who, when and how.

[…]

[page 28]

CHAPTER TWO

Nature of People's Nicknames

[…]

[page 29]

...While it is true that the shortening of a legal name cannot be regarded as true onomastic art, it still depends on how creative a giver was in spicing the legal name. Sometimes givers become so artistic that the one who hears the nickname for the first time would not realize it was made out of a legal name. In such a case, the product is a pure nickname.

2.2 People's Nicknames

This section analyses, among other qualities of nicknames, the nature of people's nicknames in terms of three categories, namely, pure Zulu nicknames, adopted nicknames and other various kinds of nicknames. Each of the three categories cited will comprise a brief analysis of the origin of these nicknames although the subject of origin is dealt with in depth in chapter 4 of this study. Some reference will also be made to the function of people's nicknames, but this is dealt with in depth in chapter 6.

In most cases real names of people will accompany nicknames. In some cases only nicknames will be given. When nicknames are composed any word is used. Normally the prefix 'u-' for noun class 1a is used, as in 'uMzwempi' (House of War). Sometimes composers use the prefix 'i(N)-' for noun classes 5 and 9, as in 'iNqola' (The Wagon). A fuller analysis of morphological components in nicknames will be presented in chapter 7.

The process of nicknaming people can be regarded as art.

[page 30]

It calls for a composing talent with motivation and reason. It involves creativity because a composer wants to see the nicknam~ functioning to his/her satisfaction. For instance, a diviner who is nicknamed 'uMajamela' (One who simply stares at you) is expected to fulfil the motivation for the name by being able to simply look at the patient and be capable of diagnosing concisely what his (patient's) future health is like. In that way the nickname will be highly appropriate.

In this section we will be looking at components that make up Zulu ones. Included here will be the use of language as the basic instrument in composing as well as other different languages involved in the same process. Yet the linguistic discussion will not be based on morphology and superficial semantics since there is a chapter (7) which deals with these directly. Differences and similarities in names and nicknames will be mentioned as the discussion proceeds. This is because, theories used in analysing names do apply in nicknames as well. Behaviour of nicknames also forms a major part in the breaking down of items that contribute to the nature of people's nicknames. The latter will have a section that discusses it directly as one of the sub-headings below.

2.2.1 Pure Zulu Nicknames

The first category refers to nicknames made purely from the Zulu language, for example 'uZimbizinto' (Things-arebad). The form of composition is understood well among Zulus as the nicknames are constructed from the Zulu language. Nicknames like 'uBhungezi' (Beetle), 'uMfazodlisayo' 

[page 31]

(Woman who poisons other people), 'uSihlahla' (Tree) would suffice to be classified under pure Zulu nickname since they are crafted with linguistic constructions that come from Zulu and are well understood by the speakers of the language.

Nicknames in this category are easy to interpret. They also receive quick response from victims if they are not meant to be hidden away from them.

My research rates exclusive Zulu nicknames highest in ratio when compared to other categories. Out of 3000 nicknames from the Ukhozi FM (Appendix 1) 2200 are pure Zulu nicknames. The traditionally-minded older generations among the Zulus who are expected to compose and give exclusive Zulu nicknames, have been so influenced by foreign practices that their nicknames are not derived from Zulu only.

2.2.2 Nicknames from Other Languages

Some Zulu nicknames are unchanged names borrowed from other indigenous languages and are used unadapted in many Zulu situations. These nicknames can derive from anything. They may come from English during interaction between speakers of the language and the Zulus, and learned people to whom English has become familiar. They may come from Afrikaans which is one of this country's official languages. In most cases, however, nicknames are names taken from other indigenous languages. This section portrays a few of those.

2.2.2.1 Nicknames from SeSotho

The area of Loteni is inhabited by both Zulus and Southern

[page 32]

Sothos. This results in mutual borrowing of certain linguistic notions inclusive of nicknames. The Sotho word 'koko' means any fearsome animal. When Zulu mothers tease their babies they call them 'kokoanas' (small fearsome animals). These become nicknames very easily. Otherwise they address them as 'motho-je' (just a person). A baby may retain either of the two nicknames, i.e. 'Kokoana' and 'Motho-je' until old age since these adoptions occur in all age groups. Similarly, Sotho people adopt Zulu nicknames from the speakers.

Again we spot item adoption occurring within different ethnic groups which live either near or among each other. It must be emphasised that linguistic borrowing between two or more ethnic groups implies strong social ties.

2.2.2.2 Nicknames from English

An example of a nickname from English, is one of a certain headmaster of a school who was given the nickname 'uRabha' (The Rubber) by students. Students adapt English spelling (although pronunciation is almost the same) to Zulu not because they are unable to write in English the word 'rubber' like the speakers of the English language. The pupils of that school mean that the headmaster is so placid, one would associate him with the flexibility of the rubber. The origin of the nickname here comes mainly from the behaviour of the headmaster. Other students associate the same nickname with the principal's talent in solving problems. He removes problems almost the same way as one erases a mistake on paper using a rubber.

A huge, tough-looking woman was nicknamed by her fellow citizens as 'ustation-wagon' comparing her to the spacious body of a station-wagon car. This is one proof that body 

[page 33]

mass and structure can be a prompting factor for the development of most nicknames.

A man who used to introduce himself by saying "Hello there" to listeners when addressing them over the air (on Radio Zulu) was consequently nicknamed 'uHello there' by listeners. This example follows Schimmel's (1989:52) observation that~ A common way of distinguishing people is to call them by one of their favourite expressions.

2.2.2.3 Nicknames from Afrikaans

One of the effects of communication between Zulus and Afrikaners is the giving of Afrikaans orientated nicknames to Zulus by Zulus themselves. A certain father gave his son the nickname 'uBoer' (A Boer) because, firstly, the son had such a light complexion. Secondly, he was born during the scandal involving the ex-Prime Minister of the Republic of South Africa, Mr B.J. Vorster who allegedly misused government monies.

At most schools students of literature pick up names from Afrikaans set books and use them as nicknames for themselves. Somebody was nicknamed 'uTweeling' the name originating from a book entitled Maliesel en die tweeling by W.A. Hickey.

In these nicknames we see reflections of social life resulting from interaction between diverse peoples of this country. This means an ability to share languages by giving individuals nicknames and names that are taken from other languages.

[page 34]

2.2.2.4 Nicknames that Mix Languages

Some nicknames combine two or more languages in one coining. Usually it is Zulu and English that are mixed. Givers have a tendency of avoiding pure Zulu and pure English combinations. Observation reveals that Zulu tends to mix adoptives with pure English words. About 30% (900 out of 3000) of the collected nicknames behave like this.

It is essential in this case to define the phrase 'adopted nickname' before one embarks on a discussion. An adopted word is one that is assimilated from another language and adapted phonologically, and even morphologically, into another language. Nickname givers also use adoptives to make nicknames.

'UGogowaseCalvary' (Grandmother of Calvary) is also a nickname that alludes to a place that features in the Bible. It is a good example of a nickname which mixes languages. This time it incorporates a possessive made out of a Hebrew name of a place in Palestine.

The nickname 'uJacaranda-juqu' (Jacaranda breaking) is a nickname that mixes an English noun with a Zulu ideophone. The nickname reveals qualities of having been extracted from praises. Even when pronounced it calls for a pitch reminiscent of praising. It is used in circumstances where a bearer is to be appreciated for good work.

An interesting case is when the first half is English and the second an English adoptive as in 'uTwo-sheleni' (Twoshillings). The nickname reflects the introduction of British coinage into South Africa. 'USisi-Joyce' (Sister-Joyce - Zulu adoptive from English +

[page 35]

English). This nickname portrays the domination of English over Zulu as there is an equivalent of the word "sister" (udade) in Zulu but the nickname uses the adoptive "uSisi". Since the introduction of European beer types in shebeens, names that are given to shebeen queens have adoptive traces. This system can also be used where the term "sisi" is attached to a real name as in 'Sisi-Beauty' or 'Sisi-Grace'.

From one of the callers in the programme "iSigungu" which is featured by uKhozi FM, there is one nickname which seems to be the longest of all this study has come across. It goes 'u-Amenamakholwaqedukuthandaza' (Amen-believers who have finished praying). Instead of mixing two different linguistic terms, it mixes a Greek term 'Amen' with a Zulu sentence.

We detect the effect of international languages in the Zulu societies since the arrival of people of European descent and others in this country. In actual fact the nickname in the paragraph above tells the community of the evangelisation of Christianity among the population of the country.

2.3 Behaviour of Nicknames

This section discusses henceforth the nickname directly, the way it adhers itself onto the bearer and the manner of classifying it. Here we will be looking at the time it takes while being used actively by whoever is involved (as mentioned above). We will be looking at the behaviour of nicknames have to do with distance which makes them acquire a status of being called distant nicknames. We will look at situational nicknames where we find types that exist only as long as the duration of the situation

[page 36]

that encouraged their origination. We will analyse also status changing nicknames, public, secretive, shared, double status as well as reversible nicknames.

2.3.1 Temporary Nicknames

By temporary nicknames I mean those nicknames that are used for a relatively short period. For instance, being in a high school for only two years may influence the duration of the nickname. Being in an employment area for as little as a month may mean the nickname to be in use for only that period. A teacher who taught history at a high school was nicknamed 'uMadman' (made out of an Irish surname O'Madigan). He taught for only two months and left the country. For sure. he did not carry the nickname away with him. This must have happened more particularly because as Zulu speaking pupils were astounded by the strange surname, they came out with this nickname. Where he went they may not find the surname strange at all hence there will not be any need for such a particular nickname. But it is still a nickname because, should he return to this country and meet one of his ex-history students, the nickname will be revived.

A bus driver, Mr Ngubane, worked for seven months in my home area when he acquired the nickname 'uMbhobhuyatsheka' (The tilting exhaust pipe). He was transferred to another area where he was given another nickname 'uNgubanojahayo' (The Ngubane who drives fast). There are nicknames that stay only when somebody still has a certain status in his/her profession. When the status changes the nickname disappears to make room for a new one. A certain Mr Sikhakhane of Bulwer was given a nickname 'uMncane' (The junior) because of his status as a

[page 37]

junior teacher. When he was transferred to another school to act as a headmaster, he got a new one 'uMaqhude' (Roosters). This simply means that all the teachers of his new school were ordinary "fowls", he had now become a "rooster".

A nickname will sometimes have a tendency of disappearing when the bearer is removed from his peers, only to find that after a long while, when the bearer returns to the same group of people, it resurfaces.

2.3.2 Nicknames for Public Figures

Some nicknames stay with a person for his/her entire life. These are especially nicknames that are given to people who work for the public. The community will always refer to the person using his/her nickname even when he/she has left their company.

The nickname 'uKansas City' stayed with the radio announcer by the name of Bongani Mchunu until he died. He was the one responsible for keeping it alive everytime because he used all his names including this nickname when he introduced himself to his listeners everytime he featured in a programme.

Staying with the same group of people in the whole of a person's life is the main factor that contributes to the ever current status of a nickname. Public figures such as those who work for the media, because of the nature of their profession - being in the limelight - are the best example of people who keep a nickname for life. Even when they retire, whoever meets them anywhere will address them using their nicknames.

[page 38]

Nicknames belonging to public figures can be described as active also since every possible user handles them without fear. This type of nicknames is used almost everywhere when the bearer is being addressed.

2.3.3 Situational Nicknames

These nicknames behave more like names of characters in a one act play who exist only when the play is on. When the curtain closes actors go back to their official names.

Sometimes when bosom friends tease each other they use situational nicknames. Let us say A is reading a novel about uNtombazi and B starts disturbing A jocularly. Zulus have a tendency of uttering a playful disciplinary statement that might go: "Ake uyeke ukungiphazamisa, lo Ntornbazi lo!" (Stop disturbing me, you Ntornbazi!) The name of the character now becomes a temporary extra name for B. When the novel reading situation is over, the two may resort to doing something else which will make them forget about the nickname.

This research has even discovered a case where the name of the former State President of South Africa Mr PW Botha was temporarily given to a naughty girl. The stepmother was shouting at a young girl who was mischievous while the husband was telling her about something he was reading in the newspaper concerning the state president. The nickname 'uBotha' was used but it did not mean that the former state president had anything to do with the mischief that the girl was committing. The giver in this type of nicknaming makes a nickname without premeditation.

In a very important meeting an induna, by the name of

[page 39]

uSikhindi, was addressing people when a certain drunkard decided to make a noise. One elderly man shouted at him calling him with the name of the induna (uSikhindi). A man who worked closely with the induna heard him and told the induna that the man was disciplining the drunkard by nicknaming him with the name of the induna. A lot of havoc erupted. The accused mentioned that he did not mean to despise the induna but it just happened that he used the name like that.

2.3.4 Status Changing Nicknames

These are nicknames that develop as nicknames and finally become official names. The best example is the former Premier of Gauteng, Tokyo Sexwale, whose legal first name is.Gabriel but when he rose to high office he had to change his identity document to include the nickname in it. He inherited it from his knowledge of karate which is associated with Japan similar to kung fu elsewere in Asia. He himself says that people would not know who he really was if he did not use his nickname. In that way he discarded the legal name and publicised his nickname as an official one.

If this happens we assume that the nickname has been promoted into a legal name to stay with an individual for the rest of his/her life. Otherwise if the elected provincial premier was going to take office and change back to Gabriel, he would have lost the popularity brought by his karate prowess.

It is not easy though for a legal name to turn into a nickname due to the fact that once it is known as an official name, it is regarded that way for good. The same case of Sexwale's legal name, Gabriel, has made a 

[page 40]

different picture altogether. He does not even mention it when introducing himself to people. So, instead of being demoted a rank his baptised riame simply disappeared.

2.3.5 Secret Nicknames

Among nicknames there are those that may not reach the ears of bearers because of many reasons. They might be derogatory, as in nicknames that comment on admired parts of the body. 'UMpandlana' (Small bald) is not easily accepted by the bearer, so the nickname cannot be used publicly.

Other secret nicknames refer to unpalatable incidents in the life of an individual. A man nicknamed his young boy 'uNkobongela' (untranslatable) as soon as he discovered his wife had an extra-marital affair during his absence as he was working very far away. The man doubted if he really fathered the boy. The boy's real name was uNdumiso. A lot of havoc would result if the origin of the nickname was not kept secret because the wife habitually used to use the term 'inkobongela' to refer to the presence of the husband when the secret lover made signs that he was hanging around to see her. Now the wife thought that the husband simply chose the nickname coincidentally. The young boy himself would make a lot of noise if he finally came to understand the father's message as contained by the nickname.

These nicknames could also be regarded as dormant. They can be as dormant as if they are never in existence. They are active only after users have checked on the presence of the bearer. Once the bearers are absent, the nickname is active. Once they appear, it goes to sleep.

[page 41]

2.3.6 Transferable Nicknames

Some nicknames are shared by more than one bearer if those bearers do not belong to one area. The commonest ones are 'uMpandlana' (Small bald), 'uSidudla' (The plump one), 'uSandlana' (Small-handed). These nicknames are selfexplanatory and people with the qualities best described by them will share these nicknames. But it is always unlikely that two individuals sharing a nickname are in the same environment. If this was to be the case the assumption that nicknames refer to rather than address a person would be invalidated. In addition, the fact that a nickname identifies a person better than a name, would be confounded if two people in the same area were to share a nickname.

2.3.7 Nicknames with Double status

A nickname that enjoys two ranks is one which operates as a real name for one person and at the same time as a nickname for the other. An interesting process can take place where somebody's surname becomes somebody else's nickname. A football player Marks Maponyane (the latter being a surname) perhaps does not know that at Loteni somebody whose nickname is 'Go' (equivalent to walk) and his surname is Duma inherited the nickname 'uMaponyane'. This is because the praises of this player are 'uGo-man-go'. Now people took it from the nickname 'uGo' and likened it to a part of the player's praises, thus qualifying Mr Duma to be called 'uMaponyane'. Yet the surname is not totallyobliterated by this new one.

[page 42]

A similar case occurred to a boy whose name was Ronny, who inherited a nickname 'uMasi1e1a' just because he was given by parents a name of one of the well known uKhozi FM announcers, Ronny Masilela. Another young man in one of the Pholela Circuit schools belonged to a Dladla clan. Now that he was a star in soccer, pupils nicknamed him 'uTeenage'. Teenage Dladla was once a famous Kaizer Chiefs player. The surname in this case is the one that influences a giver to opt for this nickname.

[...]

2.4.1 Conclusion

The observation here is that the nature of people's nicknames brings with it the idea that it is not only the Zulu language that is utilised to make nicknames, but other South African and foreign languages. Many of the nicknames collected reveal that speakers of Zulu are comfortable to use their mother tongue to make nicknames.

On the other hand nicknames that incorporate foreign borrowings like other languages are not outnumbered by nicknames made in Zulu. What it shows is that the process of making nicknames finds a lot of interest in using outlandish aspects like applying other languages.

We have seen nicknames that come from English, Afrikaans, Sotho, Hebrew, etc. There are even those nicknames that mix languages in one nickname. Language is such a dynamic tool in making nicknames, it does not matter whether it is the giver's mother-tongue or not.”…

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