Seeing the World through the Onomastic Lens: Xitsonga Anthroponyms and Toponyms

In the ever-expanding field of onomastics some linguistic communities remain relatively underexplored. One such example is the Xitsonga-speaking Vatsonga people of Southern Africa. But thanks to a remarkable new volume titled Seeing the World through the Onomastic Lens: Xitsonga Anthroponyms and Toponyms, this gap is being thoughtfully bridged.

Originating from lively academic conversations at the 2018 Names Society of Southern Africa (NSSA) Conference, this book offers a pioneering exploration of Xitsonga onomastics. The collection compiles a diverse range of chapters that delve into personal names (anthroponyms), place names (toponyms), and ethnonyms - offering readers not only linguistic insights but also cultural and historical depth.

At its heart, the book illuminates how Vatsonga naming practices are deeply intertwined with social realities, values, and aspirations. Naming is not random; it is a rich social act shaped by collective memory, morality, and often, resistance or resilience. Readers are introduced to the dynamics behind why names are chosen, how they are structured, and what they signify within broader societal frameworks.

Beyond traditional onomastic domains, the volume takes an engaging step into literary naming - examining how authors who write in or about Xitsonga employ character names as a powerful tool for storytelling, symbolism, and social critique. This interweaving of language, literature, and identity showcases how names function beyond identification: they create texture, tone, and tension in narrative worlds.

Whether you're a linguist, an African studies scholar, a policy researcher, or simply curious about the cultural weight of names, this book offers a compelling and timely contribution. It doesn't just describe Xitsonga names - it asks us to see the world through them.