THE LINK BETWEEN THE FICTIONAL CHARACTERS’ NAMES AND CHARACTERISATION IN SELECTED SESOTHO NOVELS
Master’s Dissertation
Record information
Authors
M. MOTLOUNG
Publisher
University of the Free State
Date
Collections
Description
This study explored the link between characters' names and characterisation with the intention of determining contrasts and similarities on how two selected texts utilise names of characters in relation to characterisation. Names of characters were dissected to determine how they can be linked to character traits. Characterisation and Onomastics theories were merged and employed in this study to investigate the link between character names and characterisation in the selected texts. The study concluded that the two Sesotho authors, Maina in Tutudu hae patwe (2014) and Mahanke in Mehaladitwe ya dithota (2015) linked most of the characters' names through the characters' speeches, actions, and physical appearances. The characters bearing names with positive meanings were accorded glorious descriptions of their physical appearances, actions and speech, while the characters bearing names with negative connotations were described as having unattractive physical appearances, unrefined speech, and disapproving actions.