In Thailand, people usually asked me what was my last name (Nam Scul in Thai language), after they knew my name. It was the first experience with the last name or family name or married name in my life that someone asked me my last name.
We, Arakanese, Burmese, do not have last names. Someone’s name is just name. No last name. No family name. No married name. In our village, there are many people with the same names. Even we have another Oo Thein Maung (exactly my name) in our village. Sometimes, there are three people in a soccer team but we usually call specific names to those who have the same name. For example, people called me the East Oo Thein Maung because our house was situated in the eastern part of our village. To another Oo Thein Maung, people called KoYong (novice) Oo Thein Maung because he was a novice in a Buddhist temple for long time. So, we know who is what. Fun!
When I got married with my wife, who is an American, she supposed to change her name to my last name, which is Maung. I said she did not have to change her last name because it was not our culture. Instead, I may change my last name to her family name, Hill. I may become Mr. Hill, later.
Any way, one of my friends joined the U.S. Army and he got the name N.L.N. in the U.S. Army, during the training period. What does N.L.N mean, do you know? No Last Name!
Today, my friend, N.L.N became a U.S. citizen. Happy St. Patrick's day and Congratulations N.L.N!
Picture: http://www.baby-names.name/images/baby-name-girl-boy-logo.jpg
We, Arakanese, Burmese, do not have last names. Someone’s name is just name. No last name. No family name. No married name. In our village, there are many people with the same names. Even we have another Oo Thein Maung (exactly my name) in our village. Sometimes, there are three people in a soccer team but we usually call specific names to those who have the same name. For example, people called me the East Oo Thein Maung because our house was situated in the eastern part of our village. To another Oo Thein Maung, people called KoYong (novice) Oo Thein Maung because he was a novice in a Buddhist temple for long time. So, we know who is what. Fun!
When I got married with my wife, who is an American, she supposed to change her name to my last name, which is Maung. I said she did not have to change her last name because it was not our culture. Instead, I may change my last name to her family name, Hill. I may become Mr. Hill, later.
Any way, one of my friends joined the U.S. Army and he got the name N.L.N. in the U.S. Army, during the training period. What does N.L.N mean, do you know? No Last Name!
Today, my friend, N.L.N became a U.S. citizen. Happy St. Patrick's day and Congratulations N.L.N!
Picture: http://www.baby-names.name/images/baby-name-girl-boy-logo.jpg
1 comment:
Our name is not that important. Our effect on the world and others is important. When I googled my name, I found there were others with my name. My mother name me Thomas, because she like the sound of the name. In Christianity, Thomas was the doubting disciple. Thomas actually means twin. I have never had a twin.
Tom Cargill
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