My first name, Victor, originates from Latin. It means victor, or conqueror. Its quite a universal name, and is pronounced very similarly in most languages, despite some languages spelling it differently (Viktor). Culturally, it seems to me like the name is more common in 'Latin' countries (France, Italy, Spain, etc.) or Eastern European countries (like Russia), in the form of Viktor, but this is my own personal observation, so it might not be necessarily true. As to how it affects my identity, I don't think it affects it very much. I'm not singled out or anything because of my name (I guess its quite international due to the Latin origin) like the author of that text we read about names in class was. I don't see myself as a conqueror, like my name suggests, but then again, who is a conqueror these days? However, I really dislike losing (who doesn't?), so that has to count for something, right? I guess the international nature of the name could be said to represent my life, due to me being an international as well. My last name, Mauring, is actually a completely made up name and does not seem to have a meaning. The reason this name came to be, was because my great-great grandfather happened to have the exact same name as some criminal. So he decided to change his name. I don't know what inspired him to change it to 'Mauring' though, as it is a made up name, and quite 'unique' I guess. I can't think of a way in which my last name has really affected my identity or life, no one has really questioned it to me. I would like to find out someday why he chose this particular name though.
Note: Written from a non-Ibo person perspective, however the person has knowledge of what the Ibo culture is and what their achievements are and is speaking on behalf of it at the Royal Colonial Institute’s annual dinner. Set in the Late Victorian era, as the assignment suggests. Words in-between this: [ ], are explanations of phrases, and would not be said in the actual speech. Greetings, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Royal Colonial Institute. As you all know, this is a time of great change in this world. In the span of 100 years we’ve gone from walking on foot and horseback, to being able to get to Edinburgh from London in only 8½ hours whilst sitting, in relative comfort. Despite losing America a century ago, the British Empire has grown immensely since then, acquiring massive territories in Africa. Truly, the Sun never sets on the British Empire. But despite your dominance and hegemony over the world, the human...
Nice post Victor! It is very interesting to know how your name + Family name have developed. and I never knew one could change a family name.
ReplyDeleteInteresting blog post, I like the diversity of your name, although is there any historic significance to it?, I find it somewhat unique to have a last name that has no meaning as you can perhaps craft your on definition that explains it.
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