Research Article
Commercial Onomastic Analysis of Zambian Herbal Medicines for Male Libido
Raphael Prince Akeem Chisenga, Pethias Siame, See Muleya
Middle East Research Journal of Linguistics and Literature; 58-67.
https://doi.org/10.36348/merjll.2025.v05i04.001
This chapter explores the commercial onomastics of traditional Zambian herbal medicines marketed for enhancing male libido. It examines how names given to these herbal products reflect cultural beliefs, linguistic creativity, and marketing strategies aimed at influencing consumer behaviour. Drawing from both linguistic and socio-cultural perspectives, the study analyses the semantic, pragmatic, and symbolic aspects of product naming, highlighting how these names are constructed to appeal to specific social, psychological, and gendered needs in the Zambian market. The research also investigates the role of indigenous knowledge and how it intersects with modern commercial imperatives in the naming and branding of these herbal medicines. The study examines the linguistic structure and semantic meaning of names given to traditional Zambian herbal medicines for male libido. Additionally, it explores the cultural, psychological, and marketing factors influencing the naming strategies of these herbal products. The chapter employs a qualitative methodology to illustrate the intricate relationships between Onomastics and informal trading. This methodological approach allows for an in-depth examination of product naming in informal trading. The study employs a Cultural Linguistics framework, focusing on how language is shaped by cultural practices, beliefs, and values. This is complemented by Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) to unpack how naming practices reflect and reinforce gendered power relations, consumerism, and societal views on masculinity and sexual health in Zambia. Through this interdisciplinary approach, the study reveals how onomastics in the commercial realm are deeply rooted in both linguistic creativity and socio-cultural dynamics.