Hi, all!

When you ask "What is your name?" what do you mean? The first name, second name, or both? For instance, a teacher asks this question of an unknown boy in the school. Should he ask "what is your second name?"

From my present table book :)
-----Beginning of the citation-----
....Molly (Moon -AK) was just about ready now. Then another fear reared its head.
If Molly was now Lucy Logan and Primo Cell's daughter, would she have to
change her name? The thought that she might have to become Molly Cell or
Molly Logan was extremely unsavory. Molly could already feel herself digging in
her heels to refuse.
----- The end of the citation -----

Bye, all!
Alexander Koryagin

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* Origin: *** nntp://fidonews.mine.nu *** Finland *** (2:221/6.0)

Hi, Alexander! Recently you wrote in a message to All:

When you ask "What is your name?" what do you mean?

Depends on the circumstances. John Jacob Jingleheimer-Schmidt might
prefer to leave out some parts of his name for everyday purposes... and I think
most people would understand that. But what parts are typically left out under
what conditions? I'm glad you've explained the context here.... :-)

The first name, second name, or both?

If you & I were introducing ourselves because we were neighbours, or
if we had just met at a social gathering arranged by a mutual friend, the first
name would probably be sufficient. But this generality presupposes a number of
things... e.g. that the setting is informal, that any difference in age &/or in
socioeconomic status is irrelevant, and that both parties feel comfortable with
the arrangement. It has the advantage that they can chat amicably, yet reserve
judgement on whether or not to disclose any more personal information.... :-))

For instance, a teacher asks this question of an unknown boy
in the school. Should he ask "what is your second name?"

Speaking as a teacher: Unless the school was very small I'd need to
know more than the first name to distinguish one kid from another... especially
if their parents chose it during a spate of increasing trendiness. When one of
my former students rushes up to me enthusiastically & says "Hi... I'm Cathy (or
Debbie, or whatever name +/- half my female students had back then)... remember
me??" I must confess I probably won't unless they give me a few more clues. As
a teacher & as a parent I also understand that the school has to use a person's
legal name on all official records, and there is a lot of paperwork involved in
establishing that everybody is who they say they are. If Molly's legal name is
Molly Moon the school has no authority to change it without documentation which
her new parents can't supply unless they've formally adopted her. But I gather
Molly is new to this school & hasn't voiced her concerns to the staff.

Depending on the age of your unknown boy, I would be inclined to say
"family name" or "surname" rather than "second name". Around these parts it is
more common than not for people to have two or more given names... and I'm told
they may not appear in the order we're used to, relative to the family name, if
the individual in question has just arrived from China or SomePlace Else & does
not as yet know how to translate their given name into something which those of
us who don't speak their lingo will remember &/or think we understand. There's
another possible complication too, if the teacher doesn't know a boy's previous
history. I can't say for sure whether you'd automatically identify yourself as
"Koryagin" nowadays, if you'd spent the last umpteen years in a British private
school, because I don't move in those circles. But I see plenty of evidence in
the works of various authors that the tradition lasted for a long time.... :-)




--- timEd/386 1.10.y2k+
* Origin: Wits' End, Vancouver CANADA (1:153/716)

Hi, Ardith Hinton!
I read your message from 29.01.2019 00:24

For instance, a teacher asks this question of an unknown boy in
the school. Should he ask "what is your second name?"

Speaking as a teacher: Unless the school was very small I'd need to
know more than the first name to distinguish one kid from
another... especially if their parents chose it during a spate of increasing trendiness. When one of my former students rushes up to
me enthusiastically & says "Hi... I'm Cathy (or Debbie, or whatever
name +/- half my female students had back then)... remember me??" I
must confess I probably won't unless they give me a few more clues.
As a teacher & as a parent I also understand that the school has to
use a person's legal name on all official records, and there is a
lot of paperwork involved in establishing that everybody is who
they say they are. If Molly's legal name is Molly Moon the school
has no authority to change it without documentation which her new
parents can't supply unless they've formally adopted her. But I
gather Molly is new to this school & hasn't voiced her concerns to
the staff.

That girl had authority - she could hypnotize all the world ;-). In that example "name" was used as a full name. Although, the author could easily use "surname" etc.

Depending on the age of your unknown boy, I would be inclined to
say "family name" or "surname" rather than "second name".

What about "last name"? Is it better than "second name"?

Around these parts it is more common than not for people to have
two or more given names... and I'm told they may not appear in the
order we're used to, relative to the family name, if the individual
in question has just arrived from China or SomePlace Else & does
not as yet know how to translate their given name into something
which those of us who don't speak their lingo will remember &/or
think we understand. There's another possible complication too, if
the teacher doesn't know a boy's previous history. I can't say for
sure whether you'd automatically identify yourself as "Koryagin"
nowadays, if you'd spent the last umpteen years in a British
private school, because I don't move in those circles. But I see
plenty of evidence in the works of various authors that the
tradition lasted for a long time....

Let's take, for the instance, an excerpt from my old translation -- we see a boyscout council with a strict head teacher sitting at the head of the table.

-----Beginning of the citation-----
....
There was no time to hesitate. Slavka quickly stood up.
"I am against!"
Of course everybody turned around, and Elisaveta Dmitrievna said discontentedly:
"It seems to me that you aren't a council member, and, as far as I know, you are a newcomer!"
"You are not a council member either," said Slavka calmly.
"Ah, what an impudence! What's your last name?"
"I am Semibratov," said Slavka
----- The end of the citation -----

So, could she ask him "what's your name?"

Bye, Ardith!
Alexander Koryagin
english_tutor 2019

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* Origin: ** nntps://fidonews.mine.nu ** Finland ** (2:221/6.0)