I still dream in Spanish, though I often do not understand the words once I wake. What I cannot do is read or write Spanish, and that is why I choose to study it instead of German or French. Even furious Spanish sounds beautiful. I suspect even seductions in German sound like a declaration of war. Jessie insists this is not the case, but I don't believe her.
Maestra continues. Today, you are going to choose your Spanish name. You may not just simply change your name to make it sound more Hispanic. That's a little racist.
Several of my classmates are grabbing their dictionaries to look up what Maestra tells them to do. Thankfully, Maestra always writes out her directions as she speaks them.
"Quiero el nombre Sergio Juan," Danny, my table mate, says a moment later.
"¿Por qué?" I respond as I flip through a name book idly. Why?
"Me gusta," Danny answers. I like it.
"Esta bien," I say. "Mi nombre es Catalina, por favor." Good. My name is Catalina, please. I do not mention that the name is out of respect for Katherine of Aragon, my favorite of Henry VIII's wives. What kind of nerd has a favorite wife of a monarch from 400 years ago? Regardless, I respect the constancy of the Spanish princess.
"Es un nombre bonito. Su nombre no se traduce, ¿verdad?" It's a beautiful name. Your name does not translate, true?
"No, mi nombre sin traducir. Pero me gusta mi nombre en español y en inglés." No, my name does not translate. But, I like my name in Spanish and English.
YOU ARE READING
Forget Green Gables
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