Les sobriquets des élèves et enseignants du Territoire de Bumba de 1960 à 1990. Approche lexico- sémantique

Abstract

This study examines the nicknames used by students and teachers in the Bumba Territory between 1960 and 1990. Situated within the fields of onomastics and anthroponymy, it seeks to understand the origin, meaning, and sociocultural significance of these designations. Based on a corpus of approximately seventy nicknames collected from Catholic schools in the region, the authors highlight the mechanisms of nickname attribution and their diverse sources of inspiration, including history, literature, philosophy, mythology, religion, science, sports, fauna, flora, and both local and foreign languages. The semantic analysis reveals that most of these nicknames convey positive values such as intelligence, strength, courage, excellence, greatness, and leadership, while others refer to undesirable behaviors and serve corrective or educational purposes. The study demonstrates that nicknames constitute a reflection of society and reveal the intellectual, cultural, and moral training received in schools during that period. Finally, it emphasizes the value of nicknames as indicators of collective representations and social aspirations within the Congolese educational context.