PARTICIPANT INFORMATION SHEET

TITLE OF RESEARCH:

A Semantics Analysis on the Sukuma’s personal proper names.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY:

The aim of this study is to find both denotative and connotative meanings of Sukuma personal

proper names and to find out the reason for selection of those names and the selectors’ attitude

towards those names. In Nyamagana District, Mwanza -Tanzania.

DESCRIPTION OF THE STUDY AND YOUR INVOLVEMENT:

The study is an investigation into Sukuma personal proper names. It explores the socio-

semantic

contents and sociolinguistic implications of personal names. This is with the view that

in most African societies, naming of a child is not a trivial matter, and is not done haphazardly. It

instead calls for deep reflection of events surrounding a child’s birth as names are not bestowed

on aesthetic grounds like in most western societies. African cultures have various ways of

naming children, but predominantly, many have shown preference for cultural-bound

“meaningful” personal names that act as badges of basic group identity that produce a web of

signification. With this motivation, the researcher wishes to explore these themes among the

Sukuma people of lake zone regions in Tanzania.

You have been chosen to participate in this study because of your perceived knowledge on

Sukuma names and/ or the Sukuma naming system and culture. I also want you to know that

your participation in this study is strictly voluntary. Therefore, you are at liberty not to answer

any questions you may not be comfortable with. Even if you choose to participate, you are free

to end the interview or discussion at any point you wish to do so.

CONFIDENTIALITY:

All issues pertaining to your participation in this study will be kept confidential. If you allow, I

would like to record the interview. This will help me later as I try to remember certain details

from the discussion. When compiling a report on this study, I may use some of the sentences you

said, and when this is the case, it may appear with a brief description of you (for instance, one of

the respondents from Bariadi District). However, I will not use any information that could

identify you.

VOLUNTARY PARTICIPATION AND WITHDRAWAL:

Please remember that your participation in this study is purely on voluntary basis. If at any point

you do not wish to answer any of the questions, feel free to say so and the discussion will move

to the next item. You can also decide to leave or withdraw from the study altogether at any time

without consequences or having access to any of the services in the community compromised.

RISKS AND BENEFITS:

I do not envision any physical harm happening to you as a result of participating. However, you

may experience some stress and fatigue arising from the discussion or because the discussion

may take longer than the initially agreed time.

This study is purely academic, hence apart from knowledge, awareness and understanding of the

linguistic and the sociocultural aspects of Sukuma names and naming system, there will be no

direct or immediate material or financial benefit to you as a research participant. Participating in

this study will allow gathering information relevant to the compilation of Sukuma person

names which is an integral part of Sukuma heritage. The findings of the study might be used to

stimulate further investigation of Tanzanian personal names in general and may further be

useful

to any audience that may take interest in knowing something about the Sukuma culture, as the

naming systems of most African societies are closely linked to a people’s culture.
INTERVIEW GUIDE

My name is Osward Msangi, a teacher-student at St.Augustine University of Tanzania

honouring the bachelor of arts with education (BAED). I conducting this interview as part of the

requirements in my research on the semantics analysis of Sukuma personal proper names, this

interview will be useful in data collection and information gathering concerning the Sukuma’s

culture and traditions in names selection and their entitled meanings.

Interview question

1. What is your name and age?

2. What is your occupation and/or position in this community if any?

3. Among the Sukuma speaking people:

a) Who names children? Is there any reason for this?

b) When are these given names bestowed on children?

c) Is the bestowal of names done publicly or in private?

4. Would you share with me some of the Sukuma first names and surnames that you know

together with their meanings?

5. Do you know of any circumstances that influence the bestowal of these names?
6. Do you have preference for any Sukuma given names? Why?

7. Are you able to share with me examples of Sukuma given names that you have

reservations with, and why that is so?

The data collected from here will going to be used for academic purpose only. Will be used to

get information concerning the naming process, the naming culture and name systems among the

Sukuma people. And will be used in the Semantics analysis of Sukuma personal proper names.

This information they will be helpful in the develop of this study and heritage to handle down

Sukuma language.
FOCUS GROUP DISCUSSION GUIDES

Questions:

1. What are the common names in Sukuma culture?

2. In Sukuma speaking people, who gives names to the new baby born? And why?

3. What are the attitudes of the name givers towards those given names?

4. When do those names are given?

5. Do those names have meanings? If yes, what are the meanings of those names?

6. What are factors that influence the selection of names in Sukuma Culture?

Participants in this focus group discussion will be the Sukuma speaking students who will be

about 6 students who are coming from different districts where Sukuma speakers are coming

from. And they will participate voluntary. The discussion will he held at St. Augustine

University of Tanzania, Mwanza campus. Will be done on week ends especially on Sunday

where will be no more activities academic wise so will leave a space and calm environment for

the participation in the discussion. The researcher will conduct the discussion with the assistant

from some Sukuma speaking participants.