Why are names different in Spanish and other languages?
Why are common names (like Jacob, John, Ezra, Micah) different in Spanish (Jacobo, Juan, Esdras, Miqueas, respectively) and other languages? I mean, they're names. Shouldn't they be the same throughout different countries? If my name was Robert, I wouldn't want to be called Roberto in Mexico because my name is Robert. Names aren't words, right? So they should be the same throughout different countries. Thanks for any answers.
4 Answers
Good question! You are well on your way to learn plenty about the world. Let's think about it: I am sure that you cannot pronounce all the names and words of other languages. Likewise, people who speak other languages cannot do that for English. That's why people twist or alter the words to suit their tongue. Just be glad if people call you Roberto and talk to you. Of course, you can get out of the situation by saying that you are not feeling well enough to talk. But if you are willing to ignore their shortcomings, they will ignore yours. The basic purpose of languages is to communicate and get things done.
The ones you have chosen are originally Hebrew names but many were Greek and others Latin. James is better known in the UK than Jacob. However, in the Celtic parts of the UK variations are popular - Jago in Cornwall, Iago in Wales and Seamus in Ireland similarly John is Iain in Scotland and has other alternatives in Wales and Ireland. Are you saying wherever we go in the world our given names should be respected and pronounced properly? The names you refer to would have originally been written in Hebrew and pronounced in a different way. Choosing a name is very important and clearly some names will be used in only some localities and other popular names will be altered by usuage. Centuries ago most people could not write so names would be passed down verbally. Some letters in some languages would be difficult to pronounce. I know someone from Bilbao who is Basque and said during the Civil War and afterwards Basque people were forbidden from giving their children Basque names. I would do my best to pronounce someone's name correctly. However, I know some people in England with first names or surnames difficult to pronounce or spell who have 'adopted' a more English sounding name.
Los nombres como las palabras se van adaptando a los idiomas a lo largo del tiempo jaja Michael -> Miguel, Christine -> Cristina, John -> Juan xd no tiene mucha más explicación, aun así si vas a otro país te llamaran por tu nombre original, no por la traducción, aunque Robert -> Roberto no hay mucha diferencia
á mi, Tedd, prefiero oir mi nombre pronunciado en otras lenguas. ¡Celebramos las differencias! Sé que mi nombre es Geraldo in éspañol y Girard en frances.
For me, Tedd, I prefer to hear my name pronounced in other languages. Let's celebrate differences! I know that my name is Geraldo in Spanish and Girard in French.
