What's my name?
ca, kivuye
Ubutumwa 14
ururimi: English
Lee (Kwerekana umwidondoro) 2 Munyonyo 2008 21:18:08
I started studying Esperanto in the '80s, and didn't get very far. I tried again a few times after that, most recently five years ago. Now I'm making a new effort -- I feel particularly inspired this time. Along the way I managed to pick up a copy of the "Teach Yourself" book along with the accompanying dictionary and cassette tapes, so I plan to work through that, although first I'm working through the "Kurso de Esperanto 3" program (I'm up to Lesson 5!) as a sort of introduction. Then I thought I'd start with some of the Lernu courses at the same time as I work with the "Teach Yourself" book.
I think the difference this time is that I feel I'm really enjoying the learning for its own sake this time, instead of regarding it merely as a means toward a goal. Of course I still have the goal in mind, but I find I'm getting a lot of pleasure out of puzzling through the learning materials and doing the exercises. I'm hopeful that I'm on the right track.
So anyway, I was wondering what my name would be in Esperanto. My real name is Lee, which I think would be impractical, for obvious reasons.
Thanks in advance for your help!
webgovernor (Kwerekana umwidondoro) 2 Munyonyo 2008 22:29:58
I'm quite new here, but I did ask a similar question.
My preferred method so far is to keep the name as the original 100% of the time.
You know how Spanish/French/Mexican names remain with similar spelling and pronunciation in English? It's basically the same thing for me.
I spell "Jose" as "Jose" in English, and I pronounce it "Ho-zey", as it is in Spanish. Some people prefer to change the name, but from what I've been told many people try to keep the name intact.
Now, when using the name as a direct object, ie: "Jose amas Kathi", I use the preposition "to/toward" (al) to show the direct object.
"Jose amas al Kathi" (Jose loves Kathy)
"Kathi amas al Jose" (Kathy loves Jose)
Although I'm still new here, and I'm only relating the "preferred" method. There are other methods, but all of which are relatively clear.
I've also seen names changed, and your name might become "Lio". Not sure about that one.
Good luck, and I'm sure others will respond as well.
danielcg (Kwerekana umwidondoro) 3 Munyonyo 2008 02:39:53
A probable translation of the name Lee into Esperanto could be Lio. However, I agree with Webgovernor, that people's names are best left untranslated, except in cases in which their pronunciation might be very difficult. Of course, in case of names which are not written by the Latin alphabet (Arabic, Chinese, etc.), one must at least transliterate it.
So, Lee will rest Lee for me. However, unlike Webgovernor, I would not replace the accusative with the preposition "al". Instead of that, I would write:
Jose amas Kathi-on.
Kathi amas Jose-on.
(Strictly speaking, Jose would be José, with a tilde over the e, but I've written it without this sign, just in case you can't see it correctly on your monitors).
Regards,
Daniel
Miland (Kwerekana umwidondoro) 3 Munyonyo 2008 09:53:00
danielcg:I would write:Saluton Daniel,
Jose amas Kathi-on.
Your English is fine. The only possible spelling 'mistake' (which might be just a typo) is that 'mother tongue' is two words.
With names, personally, if I wanted to avoid al, I might write Jose amas Kathi-n. But one problem with -n (or -on) is that reading the text aloud could create problems. Using al would avoid the problem of Esperantising names altogether.
Lee (Kwerekana umwidondoro) 3 Munyonyo 2008 13:25:15
I guess I should be specific and say that my concern over leaving my name unchanged is that from an aural perspective it would be indistinguishable from the word "li". Thus, "li amas ilin" would sound the same as "Lee amas ilin".
Of the solutions proposed so far, it seems like changing the name to Lio would be the best bet.
Ironchef (Kwerekana umwidondoro) 3 Munyonyo 2008 15:47:04
Lee:Thanks for the responses!Names are just labels and although we are sentimental about our own names, as long as you are consistently called the same thing by everyone, people will know who you are. Take Chinese for example; as far as I know, English-speaking people transliterate their names into Chinese with some quite funny results. I am sure my own name (Owen) would be translated as the characters pronounced OH and WEN in Chinese, and I have no idea what this would mean but it would make a suitable "label" if I used it consistently.
I guess I should be specific and say that my concern over leaving my name unchanged is that from an aural perspective it would be indistinguishable from the word "li". Thus, "li amas ilin" would sound the same as "Lee amas ilin".
Of the solutions proposed so far, it seems like changing the name to Lio would be the best bet.
What I'm getting at, is that in "Esperantujo" (the -universe- in which we all speak Esperanto) you don't have to be "Lee" if you don't want to be. You could be "Leo" or "Liĉjo" or "Lejo" or something like that. Everyone who you would meet speaking Esperanto would know this from day-one and so any confusions would be resolved. In person, I go by "Oveno" which is not a name I would like to go by everyday but whilst talking to other E-ists, it alleviates any language-border-issues.
erinja (Kwerekana umwidondoro) 4 Munyonyo 2008 19:34:27
Having said this, most people whose name has a meaning will choose something else. My sister's name is Jenny. I am pretty sure that if she spoke Esperanto, she wouldn't go by "Ĝeni" (= to annoy, to bother)
Kchuu (Kwerekana umwidondoro) 16 Munyonyo 2008 00:48:26
I have a similar concern as Lee. My name is Kate. When I speak or write in Japanese, I have to change it to ケイト, or "Keito." What would my name be in Esperanto? I have a difficulty, because "Kate" would be pronounced "kat-eh," right? Is there something easy to add to the end to make it easier to say?
Amike,
Kate
Oŝo-Jabe (Kwerekana umwidondoro) 16 Munyonyo 2008 02:12:37
Miland:But one problem with -n (or -on) is that reading the text aloud could create problems. Using al would avoid the problem of Esperantising names altogether.I don't see how a full '-on' creates a problem (it is after all a whole new syllable). Are there any specific sounds that make transitioning into '-on' difficult?
Kchuu:Saluton!You could keep it spelled the same way, and just make sure people know how it's pronounced (perhaps by putting 'kejt', in parenthesis, afterward, or just explaining the pronounciation). Or you could go with 'kanjo'. Of course, it's your choice what you do with your name.
I have a similar concern as Lee. My name is Kate. When I speak or write in Japanese, I have to change it to ケイト, or "Keito." What would my name be in Esperanto? I have a difficulty, because "Kate" would be pronounced "kat-eh," right? Is there something easy to add to the end to make it easier to say?
Amike,
Kate
webgovernor (Kwerekana umwidondoro) 16 Munyonyo 2008 02:52:08
Oŝo-Jabe:I agree with Miland here. For example, two of my office-mates are named Lee and Leon (Lee-on).
I don't see how a full '-on' creates a problem (it is after all a whole new syllable). Are there any specific sounds that make transitioning into '-on' difficult?
If I were to say "Lee dislikes Leon" (Li malsxatas Lion) then everything is fine, but if I say (Lion malsxatas Li-on) then that leaves the listener to logically parse the phrase, which greatly reduces conversation efficiency as time is needed to determine the direct object. By using "al" the problem is removed all together.
Li malsxatas al Lion, kaj Lion malsxatas al Li.
Unless, of course, you plan on saying "Lion-on" in place of Lion.
Kchuu:Saluton!Welcome to the community.
I have a similar concern as Lee. My name is Kate. When I speak or write in Japanese, I have to change it to ケイト, or "Keito." What would my name be in Esperanto? I have a difficulty, because "Kate" would be pronounced "kat-eh," right? Is there something easy to add to the end to make it easier to say?
Amike,
Kate
I would keep it as "Kate", much like "Juan" is kept as "Jaun" in English... and not "Won". Or, if you really prefer correct pronunciation, then I would go with "Kejt". But I'm kinda new here so pay no attention to me.