From the etymology to the socioterminology of the term yòvó
linguistique
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.55595/4jq0yn37Keywords:
Yòvó, concept, socioterminology, language, Dahomey.Abstract
Abstract : The objective of this research is to analyze the semantic values of the concept yòvó using a socioterminological approach. The results of the analyses—both diachronic and synchronic—have highlighted the concepts surrounding yòvò, based on its common meaning of “white person or European,” which is often used in language to refer to people of color. The term yòvó refers to notions of exoticism, technology, competence, and quality, but also to snobbery and elitism. An ambivalent term, yòvó characterizes both the original and the artificial when combined with other terms to describe things. Polysemic, it entered the languages of southern Benin when the West encountered Dahomey through colonization and slavery.
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Funding: The author states that he did not receive any funding to conduct this study. Conflict of interest: The author does not report any conflict of interest.Issue
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