Abstract:
Considering that nicknames are common in our daily communication, they are very important concepts in establishing or destroying relationships in the society. This study aimed at achieving the following objectives: First of all, to distinguish meaning of EkeGusii nicknames used by soccer players. Secondly, to elucidate various methods used in forming Ekegusii nicknames used by soccer players and lastly, to elaborate the uses of EkeGusii nicknames in the whole scenario of a soccer match. To achieve these objectives, the research was guided by the frames tenet of the Frames Semantic theory. This tenet was used to explain how meanings are cognitively retrieved from the speakers, mental encyclopedic knowledge. The study outlined various methods used in forming and classifying EkeGusii nicknames and brought out types of meaning present in EkeGusii nicknames. The descriptive research design was applied in the study to render an analysis of EkeGusii nicknames used by soccer players in Kenyenya sub-county, Kisii county, Kenya. Primary data was collected through oral structured interviews whereas secondary data was collected from selected works in the library. Those interviewed orally were soccer players and their fans who were selected randomly. Data was analysed by use of tables and Frames. Frames were particularly used to define concepts that guided the retrieval of meanings. The study concluded that soccer players have nicknames which are meaningful and have semantic values: cognitive and connotative meanings that are gorverned by the motive of the creater of the nickname and the settings or situation of the one being reffered by the nickname. These nicknames are created using various methods including word derivation, reduplication, compounding, repetition. The research also examined the importance of using nicknames in a whole scenario of a soccer match and concluded that nicknames were very important because they capture the perception of the fans about how the players are playing so that they can improve or change their playing tactics. The research shows that EkeGusii nicknames of soccer players are embedded with lot of teachings about the traditions of the AbaGusii people and also their stand on issues about gender, agriculture, livestock farming and their cultural norms in general.
