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Kook j Posted 11 years ago
Culture
Spanish Names
Hi.
Does the way how people with Spanish names are called change when they come to English speaking regions?
It caught my attention when Gabrielle Solis' mother who'd just come from Mexico called her daughter 'Gabriella' in one of Desperate Housewives episodes. I knew there were some English names that had Spanish versions and vice versa but I was surprised when the change occurred on an individual's name in her lifetime. Also, I know not everyone with Spanish name change it and it was entirely possible that the scene was just another humor in the soap opera.
Thank you in advance.
Does the way how people with Spanish names are called change when they come to English speaking regions?
It caught my attention when Gabrielle Solis' mother who'd just come from Mexico called her daughter 'Gabriella' in one of Desperate Housewives episodes. I knew there were some English names that had Spanish versions and vice versa but I was surprised when the change occurred on an individual's name in her lifetime. Also, I know not everyone with Spanish name change it and it was entirely possible that the scene was just another humor in the soap opera.
Thank you in advance.
Top answer
There is a lot of this "Anglicizing" of foreign names in the US. For example, Vincente might be changed, informally, to Vincent. Maria might be informally changed to Mary or Marie.
- There is a lot of this "Anglicizing" of foreign names in the US.
- For example, Vincente might be changed, informally, to Vincent.
- Maria might be informally changed to Mary or Marie.
- Etc.
- In the particular episode you mention, there is actually an apparent "reverse Anglicization," the more "American-sounding" Gabrielle being changed to the more European-sounding Gabriella.
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4 Answers
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There is a lot of this "Anglicizing" of foreign names in the US. For example, Vincente might be changed, informally, to Vincent. Maria might be informally changed to Mary or Marie. Etc.
In the particular episode you mention, there is actually an apparent "reverse Anglicization," the more "American-sounding" Gabrielle being changed to the more European-sounding Gabriella. This is pro
In the particular episode you mention, there is actually an apparent "reverse Anglicization," the more "American-sounding" Gabrielle being changed to the more European-sounding Gabriella. This is pro
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Edited:
Thank you so much Anon for your answer.
Thank you so much Anon for your answer.
AnonymousThere is a lot of this "Anglicizing" of foreign names in the US.Oh there is? I didn't know that. But if I call a person whose original name is Eva 'Eve' in some formal situation in the US, I assume it would be offensive?
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It all depends on how well you know the person, the situation, the connotations of his/her original name and the connotations of the changed name, if the person approves of the nickname, etc. With Eva, Eve would not be good, since the name Eve is rare in the US, it has heavy Biblical connotations, and Eve is an established name in its own right in the US and is not considered a shortened form of
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