ENG2D-Summer School-Unit 1

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Please read the following story: NAMES/NOMBRES and answer the questions below and
submit this into the Dropbox.

Find an example in the story of: (4)

Alliteration: “ “Julia Altagracia María Teresa Álverez Tavares Perello Espaillat Julia Pérez
Rochet
González.” “
Irony: “Ironically, although she had the most
foreign-sounding name, she and I were the Americans in the family.”
Symbolism: “ “You know what your friend Shakespeare said, ‘A rose by any other name would
smell as sweet’”. My family had gotten into the habit of calling any famous author “my friend”
because I had begun to write poems and stories in English class.”
Theme: Moving long distances is hard but adapting is essential and easier to do with family and
friends.

Use APEC(Answer, proof, explanation, conclusion) rules to write your answers to the following
questions.

1. What are the writer’s feelings about how Americans pronounced her and her family’s names?
(5)
Julia likes and wants to be called by her American name. At the beginning of the story, she was
confused about why no one was pronouncing her name properly and wondering if she should
correct them. But later in the story, the writer shows that she started to prefer her American-
style names. For example, on the first page of the book the author writes how she wanted to
correct the man that mispronounced her last name:
“ I was too afraid we wouldn’t be let in if I corrected the man’s punctuation, but I said our
name to myself, opening my mouth wide for the organ blast of a. trilling my tongue for
the drumroll of the r, All-vabrrr-es! How could anyone get Elbures out of that orchestra of
sound?” (pg. 1).
This means that she is disappointed that the man could not pronounce her name. However,
later in the story, the author writes:
“ My initial desire to be known by my correct Dominican name faded. I just wanted to be
Judy and merge with the Sallys and the Janes in my class”. (pg. 2)
This means that the desires of Julia have changed and that she wants to be known by her
American style names.

In conclusion, Julia no longer wants to be called by her proper Dominican name, instead, she
prefers her American name that her friends have given her.
2. In the essay, Alvarez notes that her mother thought that the pronunciation of her name didn't
matter, and quotes her as saying: "You know what your friend Shakespeare said, 'A rose by any
other name would smell as sweet'" (Alvarez. ) Do you agree with Alvarez's mother? Why or why
not? Explain (5)

I disagree with Avarez’s mother. In my opinion, your name is part of your identity. When that is
changed, part of your identity is changed as well. For example, Ben Hogan once said:
“Your name is the most important thing you own. Don’t ever do anything to disgrace it or
cheapen it”
This is such a meaningful quote because I think it hits close to home for all of us. A lot of people
envy other people's names or dislike their own. But your name is something that should be
cherished and held tight. Personally, it's also a reminder of my parents, family and friends.
Names can also bring back memories like if a friend or family member made a nickname for you
and called you that.

In conclusion, my opinion is that your name should never be changed and should be (like Ben
Hogan said) disgraced or cheapened.

3. Why do you think some people permanently change their names when they come to the US
and others do not? Do you think it helps immigrants assimilate to life in North America?
Why/why not? (5)

People change their names when they arrive in the US because they want to adapt and fit into
the new lifestyle as quickly and easily as possible. Another variable that could influence their
decision to change their name or not, is the pronunciation difficulty of their name. Most people
immigrating are aware that some of their names could be harder for Americans to pronounce,
so they may change them for easier conversations and communication. Some people keep their
names because they either like it, or it's sentimental, or maybe it's cultural/religious. For
example, from www.nypl.org, they say:
“More commonly, immigrants would change their names themselves when they had
arrived in the United States, and for a number of reasons. Someone might change their
name in order to make it sound more American, to fit in with the local community, or
simply because it was good for business”. Sutton, Philip, and Stephen A. “Why Your
Family Name Was Not Changed at Ellis Island (and One That Was).” The New York
Public Library, www.nypl.org/blog/2013/07/02/name-changes-ellis-island. Accessed 6
July 2023.
Proof of the fact that part of the reason immigrants change their names upon arriving in
America, is that they want “to fit in with the local community” and make their names sound more
American.

In conclusion, there are many variables included in the decision of changing their name, and
many different immigrants have many different reasons for keeping or not keeping their original
names.
4. Based on “Names/Nombres” by Julia Alvarez, how are names important in the way people
view themselves and others? How do you feel about your name? Does it have meaning in your
own culture? How does it contribute to your identity? (5)

Names can change the way people view themselves or others for better or for worse. Some
people are proud and confident in their names. Others are shameful or embarrassed because of
their name. And a big part of the way someone views their or someone else’s name is how
other people treat it. If they make fun of someone's name or even if their intentions or harmless
but they struggle to pronounce it, the person may not feel too good about their name.
Personally, I take pride in my name and cherish it. Even though it doesn't have any cultural or
religious meaning, it is a symbol of the love that my family and friends have for me. It also
reminds me of my dad and grandpa directly because I have inherited part of their names in my
middle and last names. For example, on page 3 of the story, Julia says:
“They were just being curious, I knew, but I burned with shame whenever they singled
me out as a “foreigner,” a rare, exotic friend”. (pg. 3)
Meaning that when Julia’s friends used her actual name or asked Julia to pronounce it for them,
she felt like an outsider who didn't belong.

In conclusion, people's view of their names can change based on the words and actions of other
people.