A Sociolinguistic analysis of Selected English Pentecostal Proper Names in Nigeria

Abstract

Language emboldens the thinking of its users. One way a language user shares and communicates his thoughts, beliefs and opinions is  in the name he bears or the one he gives his children. It is on this basis that this study focused on the English names of Nigerian  Pentecostals from a Sociolinguistic angle. The study used the anthropological linguistics as the theoretical leaning. The study analysed Fifteen (15) English names got from the children attendance register of the five Zonal Headquarters of the Redeemed Christian Church of  God in Bayelsa Province Four. The study also interviewed some of the parents for more insights. The study presented amongst other  findings that names to the Pentecostal Nigerian Christians are not just signals of tagging personnel or objects but are used to reaffirm  the belief of Pentecostals on the various aspects of the power of God. Most of the names communicate the belief of Christians in the  power of the Almighty God.