Naming the Pandemic: Semantic and Ethical Foundations of HIV/AIDS Shona Vocabulary

Abstract

Tlie article investigates the names tliat the Shona-speaking people1 in conlempunii 1/ Zimbabwe create and use in casual communication on the Acquired Immunity Deficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS), the messages transmitted through these nnmes and the ethical motivation for preferring these names to the I'liglish teun, Hl\'/ AIDS. We refer to the Shona names as indirection verbal strategies that take the form of euphemisms, metaphors, colloquial expressions and slang. Hmoeivr, the motivation for preferring an indirect communication mode is best iindeistood in the context of the notion of politeness that govern human interaction and speech on issues pertaining to sex, ilhiess and death in Shona society.