article

A substitute name system in the Scottish highlands

American anthropologist72 • Published In 1970 • Pages: 303-319

By: Dorian, Nancy C..

Abstract
This article examines the incidence and cultural use of 'by-names' among Gaelic speakers in East Sutherland. Since there are a limited number of surnames in the communities studied, the use of 'by-names' has arisen in order to permit greater specificity than would be possible by the use of given or proper names. Some of the 'by-names' are offensive and are used only in limited social contexts. Dorian examines not only the assignment of 'by-names', but also the social contexts in which the uses of 'by-names' are appropriate.
Subjects
Personal names
culture
Highland Scots
HRAF PubDate
1995
Region
Europe
Sub Region
British Isles
Document Type
article
Evaluation
Creator Type
Linguist
Document Rating
5: Excellent Primary Data
Analyst
Marlene Martin
Field Date
1963-1968
Coverage Date
not specified
Coverage Place
Villages of Embo, Brora, and Golspie; eastern county Sutherland, Scotland
Notes
[by] Nancy Currier Dorian
Bibliography: p. 319-B
LCSH
Highlands (Scotland)