I’m interested in the idea of identity and interpersonal boundaries, and I was wondering if there was any civilization or culture that did not use names or other means to distinguish individuals.
Apparently even dolphins have names for each other.
Perhaps monks in a convent that have taken vows of silence.
I can almost guarantee you that if there ever was a civilization that had a language but did not use names, they had a name for at least one member of their society. An image comes to mind of some ancient civilization that did not allow names for slaves, but I can’t quite put my finger on it, anybody know anything about that?
My mom was once a member of a silent order (not a permanent member, obviously, and before her marriage), and they could and did still speak when so instructed by the superior (the abbot/abess or prior/prioress). She also says that there was a sort of sign language developed by the sisters for use among themselves, and I imagine that both of these communications had some sort of names. Certainly, the members of the community had monastic names; my mother, for instance, was “Sister Malachi” (no particular resemblance to her birth name), but I’m unsure in exactly what context those names were used.
The strangest naming customs I know of are those of Bali. They do have names, sort of, but just try to tell your hotel that “Wayan” will be your driver, and…well, they’ll understand you’re a tourist. Most Balinese men are named Wayan.
A child is not named until s/he is one (Balinese) year old. They are named for nothing other than their birth order.
This information is in just about every guidebook:
Do they all get their own crummy TV show and/or movie eventually?
I once went to the desert on a horse with no name.
Seriously, for several years, a friend of mine introduced his mother to me as “his mother”. I never knew the woman’s name. It made it very awkward when I tried to address her. After about 15 years, I have learned the woman’s first name.
And my friend got married Sunday and the woman was introduced at the wedding as “Steven’s mom.”
What was his last name, Stifler?
How do the Balinese distinguish among themselves which Wayan is…
must…resist…punning…
How do the Balinese distinguish amongst the various Wayans sure to be in any particular setting?