So, what’s in a name?

This week in Italian class we got to pick our own names. We each had to pick an Italian pseudonym to call each other during class. Down the line we went, Antonia picked Antonia, Mary chose Maria, Joe went with Giuseppe, Chris translates to Cristoforo (careful, if you pronounce it wrong it means Christopher Columbus). And then there was me.

I consider myself lucky in this respect, because there is no Italian translation for Robin. I was hoping Professore wouldn’t say Roberta, as I really don’t care for that name. Instead, I got to pick whatever I wanted. Oh, the possibilities.

And then it dawned on me. I asked her if it had to be a Proper name. She said it could be whatever I wanted. Well, I wanted Sognatrice, which means dreamer…because I dream of Italy and in honor of my dear friend Michelle over at Bleeding Espresso. My pronunciation must have been a little off, because when I asked her, she said.." oh, one who prays, a prayer?" Uh, well, no, not exactly, at least I don’t think so. So, I tried again, this time emphasizing the ya in Son-ya-tree-chey. That must have done it because she smiled and said, "Ah, dreamer, veddy nice-a!"

Meanwhile, the rest of the class were busy sounding out my new name. They were all moaning and groaning, while realizing that they will have to now address the former easy-breezy named Robin, as the now more complicated…Sognatrice. I think a saw a few dirty looks and perhaps heard an "oh, brother" from the far corner of the room.

Boh.

Photo: A trattoria in San Gimignano named Chiribiri…which really doesn’t translate to anything. It’s just a happy sounding name, obviously chosen from the heart.

TACE
February 13th, 2008
O.k……that’s cool. Any class that has you pick a pseudonym is a class worth taking. I have plenty of pseudonyms picked out for myself but it’s just not the same, you think you get dirty looks for a complicated name to say? Try asking your family to call you “Blankity Blank Blank” (insert pseudonym of your choice there) and see what kind of dirty looks you get. They get all “what is wrong with you, you already have a name” and get in my face about it. Maybe if it was an Italian name….hmmmm. I like your’s…hey pseudonym is getting to be a pain to type out over and over lets call it an “a.k.a.” that’s easier. I like your a.k.a. it sounds so elegant!

kenju
February 13th, 2008
I remember an old song titled…
“Chiribiribin”. I wonder if there is a connection.

Lulu
February 13th, 2008
I’m so glad that you pronunciated that name for me! I always wanted to say Sog-na-treece!!

My Melange
February 13th, 2008
TACE~ Hey ..never thought of aka. That does make it alot easier…and no spell check either Please share your aka’s…..
Kenju~ Hmmm. Maybe so. I’d love to know more…maybe we can research it! Was it an Italian song?
Lulu~ That’s what I am here for…to help out with these things. I pronounced it that way too at first I think it is the French language creeping in…

TACE
February 14th, 2008
Ohhhhhh very clever…I see…tell you my a.k.a names and then the whole world shall know my secret identities…..how will I go on sprees then? I’d have to learn Italian and move to Italy and hide my face in shame…….and so far the only Italian words I know are…umm Bueno? and also …Sognatrice. I don’t thats enough to get by on. I love your blog by the way, very enjoyable read!

Joe
February 14th, 2008
that a girl Robin! let them struggle with it:)

bleeding espresso
February 14th, 2008
Yes yes! Well you know that I like the name…so much more fun than Roberta (no offense to the Robertas of the world of course)

My Melange
February 14th, 2008
TACE~ Awhh, you caught me Just call me the *exposer*!! The only other words to add to your collection would be vino and caffe, That is enough to get me by in Italy Thanks so much for the nice words!!
Joe~ Yeah, better them then me, I always say
Sognatrice~ Hello namesake…and yes…I hope I did not offend. Sognatrice just rolls much nicer off the tongue!!

Country French Antiques
February 15th, 2008
I love the name Sognatrice. Sounds romantic. I’ve got to come up with one of those!

Jeni
February 17th, 2008
You go girl…and never mind the comments from the Peanut Gallery in class! You can be a Sognatrice if you want to be! I love making up other names for myself, especially when in Starbuck’s and they ask for your name for your coffee order. Heee heeee.

kenju
February 20th, 2008
I googled Chiribiribin and it seems that it was written by an Italian man. You can listen to it if you google it.

My Melange
February 20th, 2008
CFA~ Ohh la la…romantic. Thanks I think you should get one…
Jeni~ hee hee…Starbucks. I have to try that one;) I think I’ll be Cassandra at Starbucks!!
Kenju~ Thanks!!! I will check it out