THE LANGUAGE IDEOLOGY OF IGBO FEMININE PRAISE NAMES

This study examined language ideology of Igbo feminine praise names in Igbo language. The research relied on the primary method of data collection. Competent speakers of Igbo who are well equipped with the different praise names in Igbo were met, with their ages between 35–50 years, comprising both men and women. The data were extracted using oral interviews with these speakers. Also, the researcher, being born, raised, and a competent speaker of the Igbo language, used her intuitive knowledge of the language to provide some data which complemented those gotten from other sources and was used for data analysis. The data analysis was organized into five key components: praise names for beauty, praise names for leadership/strength, praise names for character/attributes, praise names for wealth/prosperity, and praise names for family and relationships. The analysis was guided using the ideology theory framework. The findings revealed the complex role of women within Igbo society, shaped by different ideologies. Praise names for beauty emphasized the importance of physical appearance, suggesting that a woman’s value is often tied to her attractiveness. In contrast, praise names for leadership and strength highlight the growing recognition of women’s leadership roles, challenging traditional gender norms and celebrating women’s authority and power in both domestic and public spheres. Praise names for character and attributes reinforce the ideal of women as caretakers, nurturing their families and embodying virtues such as respect, loyalty, and responsibility. Praise names for wealth and prosperity acknowledge women as symbols of financial success and generational wealth, highlighting their contributions to economic and familial stability. Lastly, praise names reflecting family and relationships celebrate women as key figures in family structures, emphasizing their roles in maintaining social and moral order.