Characterisation and social impact of urban youth languages on urban toponymy: S’ncamtho toponomastics in Bulawayo

Sambulo Ndlovu

doi:10.4102/lit.v39i1.1373

Abstract

This article focuses on the characterisation of S’ncamtho toponyms in Bulawayo and it goes on to measure the impact of these toponyms on the population of Bulawayo dwellers. S’ncamtho is an urban youth variety that is built on urbanity and streetwise style. The study assumes that, as S’ncamtho is the language of the youth in Bulawayo, people are exposed to S’ncamtho toponyms as the youth are found in all spheres of urban life in Bulawayo, especially the taxi industry which is used by the majority of people in the city. The research collected S’ncamtho verbal toponyms from Godini taxi rank in Bulawayo through undisclosed nonparticipant observations and some from the intuition of the researcher. Intuition and interviews were used to get the etymology of the toponyms and questionnaire tests of familiarity and usage were used to measure the impact of these toponyms on the population. Content analysis is used to characterise and classify S’ncamtho toponyms in Bulawayo and the metaphor comprehension test is used to measure their impact on the population. This article assumes that S’ncamtho has its own toponyms for locations in the city and that these are popular, especially with the youth, but people across age groups now use them.

Highlights

Bulawayo city is the biggest Ndebele urban centre and the hub of S’ncamtho, the Ndebele urban youth variety
This study argues that S’ncamtho toponyms are an expression of urban culture and history, and may, create ambiguities
This research is important because it http://www.literator.org.za engages urban toponymy that operates informally and measures its impact on the adult population

Summary

Introduction

Bulawayo city is the biggest Ndebele urban centre and the hub of S’ncamtho, the Ndebele urban youth variety. The youth and all those who use S’ncamtho in Bulawayo have named some places to reflect their own lifestyle and the character of their language. Urban spaces in Africa consist of informal settlements and spaces that may otherwise not be formally named such as taxi stands or bus stops It is in this informal urban space that youth and urban language toponyms mostly operate. This research is important because it http://www.literator.org.za engages urban toponymy that operates informally and measures its impact on the adult population. This indicates an impact on urban Ndebele and the standard forms of Ndebele

Methodology

Conclusion