Document Type : Original Article
Author
Assistant Prifessor, Department of Linguistics & Foreign Languages, Payam Noor University (PNU), Tehran, Iran.
Abstract
This study aims to analyze the functions of personal and place names in representing social and cultural identity in Hafez’s poetry. Drawing on Wardhaugh and Fuller’s theoretical framework and employing a qualitative method with purposive sampling, nine selected names in three categories—religious (Yusuf, Musa, Isa), geographical (Canaan, Kaaba, Bengal), and national–mythical (Jamshid, Siyavash, Bahram)—were examined. Findings indicate that religious names, in addition to referring to sacred figures, convey symbolic meanings such as salvation, guidance, and miracle, playing a key role in expressing mystical layers of the poems. Geographical names, besides denoting real locations, reflect cultural identity, social affiliation, and trans-cultural scope in Hafez’s work. Finally, national and mythical names highlight Iran’s historical and cultural identity, showing how Hafez links the mythic past with contemporary social contexts. Comparison with previous research in Persian and international literature suggests that names in literary texts function not only as tools for character portrayal but also as instruments for representing power, identity, and social values. Therefore, analyzing names in Hafez’s poetry emphasizes the importance of literary onomastics for a deeper understanding of the interaction between language, culture, and society.
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