Abstract :
This study examined how the quantitative and the numerative features of the nominal group described by Systemic Functional Linguistics theory characterized independent clause Sesotho personal names. They were presented as quantitative and numerative dichotomies with distinct features noted by both areas in the nominal group. Their semantics of interaction displayed speech roles such as statements, demands and commands, and as questions (cf. Eggins, 1996, p 149-150). An additional new feature superficially mentioned by Halliday (2001) extends to exclamatives (p. 45). The aim was to explore how these personal names structured with features of these speech roles are described as enacted messages that exchange information; give the name awarder’s evaluation of the situation (modality) and express experiences encountered at the child’s birth. Enacted messages negotiate attitudes (Martin and Rose 2007, p. 8) and through this art modality is highly incorporated. Data was collected from national examinations pass lists, admission, Telephone directories, Media and employment roll lists from Public, Private, Tertiary, Orphanage institutions. This article extends SFL-Onomastica relation and literature. The contribution gained from this study is that language users can use personal names to identify discourse elements, present grammar issues, disclose meanings beyond the clause and display attitude as a speech variety through [SFL] modality.
