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I am looking for:
(1) an example of a modern culture which has very simple naming practices (ie a person gets only a single name, no surnames)
(2) a good example of a modern culture that has complex naming practices (for example, each person bears many names, names are given at different points throughout the lifetime, etc)
Any suggestions?
(1) an example of a modern culture which has very simple naming practices (ie a person gets only a single name, no surnames)
(2) a good example of a modern culture that has complex naming practices (for example, each person bears many names, names are given at different points throughout the lifetime, etc)
Any suggestions?
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Replies
Thanks Pavlos, Nanaea, and Daividh
This information is going to be used in a new introductory section to btn.
This information is going to be used in a new introductory section to btn.
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Cyprus is the case of a European country with a somewhat quirky naming scheme: Traditionally, the surname is usually derived from the father's first name. If a Cypriot woman, for example, is named Alexandra and her father's first name is Petros, her full legal name becomes Alexandra Petrou (the -ou ending means "of", pretty much like the French prefix de-). As a result it is quite common for children in Cyprus to have a different Surname than their parents.
It also explains why so many Cypriot surnames end with -ou, rather rhan the predominant Greek -os.
In the past few decades, however, socially "established" families have been increasingly abandonong this traditional scheme to preserve a constant surname.
It also explains why so many Cypriot surnames end with -ou, rather rhan the predominant Greek -os.
In the past few decades, however, socially "established" families have been increasingly abandonong this traditional scheme to preserve a constant surname.
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I've always thought that Spanish names were pretty complex -- what with their multiple first names, baptismal name, father's surname and mother's maiden name all together making up the "official" name.
The movie *Spy Kids* does a bit of a take-off on this custom. In one scene the daughter, Carmen (btw, the kids in this movie absolutely cracked me up -- they're not at all cutesy and the boy, especially, is a natural comedian) has to get into this "safe house", and the only way that she and her brother will be granted admission is for her to give her name -- her *full* name.
She then rattles off this incredibly long and complex string of syllables comprising her full name, turns to her brother and asks increduously: "My name's a security code?"
-- Nanaea
The movie *Spy Kids* does a bit of a take-off on this custom. In one scene the daughter, Carmen (btw, the kids in this movie absolutely cracked me up -- they're not at all cutesy and the boy, especially, is a natural comedian) has to get into this "safe house", and the only way that she and her brother will be granted admission is for her to give her name -- her *full* name.
She then rattles off this incredibly long and complex string of syllables comprising her full name, turns to her brother and asks increduously: "My name's a security code?"
-- Nanaea
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1) I'm assuming by "modern" you mean "extant". Two that come to mind immediately are Indonesia and Afghanistan (altho single names are probably now in the minority in either culture).
2) No definite suggestions, but to state the obvious, probably a less-developed culture that still uses elaborate coming-of-age rituals (no, not Senior Week at Myrtle Beach...). Amazonian, Papuan, ???
- Da.
2) No definite suggestions, but to state the obvious, probably a less-developed culture that still uses elaborate coming-of-age rituals (no, not Senior Week at Myrtle Beach...). Amazonian, Papuan, ???
- Da.
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