试析毛南族“名从幼称”的文化功能

Analysis on the Cultural Functions of Maonan Teknonymy

毛南族的"名从幼称"系统与同属汉藏语系的其它民族的"亲从子称"和"亲从孩称"有诸多不同。该系统的基准是"最幼儿"而不一定是"子"或"孩",即非但中老年可采用"从幼称",而且青少年也遵循"从幼称"的原则。传统上要求毛南人必须一生中多次改名,以适应这个称谓系统。故该文化特性的功能是确保毛南族群的再生产。

The teknonymy in Maonan is different from the teknonymy systems in other Sino - Tibetan ethic groups in that it takes the youngest member of a family as the referent point for naming. Moreover, not only adults follow this principle, youngsters can also be named according to this system. The tradition requires that a Maonan member changes his names several times in his life. The function of such a cultural feature is thus to guarantee the social regenesis of the Maonan group.