We have lived
in our house here for a year and a half and I, Erin, still do not know the
names of the neighbor ladies next door.
During our first few months in country people would always ask us what
Caedmon and Whitman’s nick names were, or more literally translated their “to
call” name. These are just two examples
of the issue of names here. Often when
we are introduce to someone for the first time, their name is never mentioned
or if it is, it is said once. With names
so different than most western names, it is very difficult for me to catch the first
time around, if it is said. It took me
at least two months to figure out that our neighbor Uci, the age of
Whitman, was a girl as her name didn’t tell me anything nor the way she was dressed. Thankfully for us
there are more common methods of referring to people then their names. The age
relationship is very important in this culture.
Whether it is at home, in school, or even at the office, people will refer
to each other by saying ‘older sibling’ or younger sibling’ then their name. As we are older than all our tutors, it is
natural and more polite for them to call us (in our presence or in our absence)
‘older sibling’ John, or ‘older sibling’ Erin.
Quick side note, there is not a single word for brother or sister,
instead there is a single word for ‘older sibling’ and another for ‘younger sibling’. The
same goes for him/her/she/he which are all translated with one word, unrelated
to gender.
As soon as
someone marries, they become the equivalent of ‘Mr.’ or ‘Mrs.’ So at the tutoring center we are more
appropriately referred to as ‘Mr.’ John and ‘Mrs.’ Erin. Which leads to another interesting aspect of
names. The main culture here on our
island (as culture varies from island to island, even within one country) does
not have family or surnames. Children
are given 2 to 3 names. Occasionally the
first name of the father will be used as their 2nd or 3rd
name, but a person always uses just their first name. Their closer friends will use a shortened
version, or nick name (hence every one asking for Caedmon and Whitman’s nick
names). This is also why John and I are
referred to as “Mr.” John and “Mrs.” Erin, instead of using our last name, which rarely changes upon marriage. I recently attended a sports medicine seminar
at the university. One of the speakers
was a professor from Australia. He was
referred to as Professor Luke, which was his first name.
Since I have
children I can also be referred to as 'Caedmon’s mom', which is the most common
way to refer to a mother, either in her absence or directly to her face. The oldest child's names is the one used. This word is the same word used earlier for “Mrs.”
just with a suffix. Without the suffix I
can also be referred to as “Mrs.” John. More
often than not we call people, 'Mr.' and 'Mrs.' without ever mentioning their name.
This would be like saying, “Mrs. where do you buy your vegetables?” It works great as I often don’t know, much
less understand names, but the concept doesn’t translate well. Often as I walk to class people yell
out, “Hi Mr.” with the very occasional, “Hi Miss.” (not Mrs.).
 |
| our nieghbors' moms, not picture, can be called Sifat's mom and Uci's mom |
