The otherwise blameless Akbar Zib of the Pakistani diplomatic corps has been refused a post in Saudi Arabia, because his name translates in Arabic to "Mightiest Knob" or somesuch. I can see why that would be difficult.
I have come across this kind of problem before, as I was introduced to an otherwise unremarkable Dutchman, who had a very haunted look around his eyes as he was introduced to me as... Ruud Kok.
Fortunately, I am now experienced enough in this kind of thing to not flinch, even slightly, which changed the expression on his face completely, and we had a civil conversation about some bloody SAP thing or another.
Still, given that my name translates into German, Hamish Newlands becoming Hamisch Neulands, meaning evil or spiteful new territories, and that's me working for a German company too. Tell you what though, with the exception of the additional "c" which doesn't bother me, I have never, ever had to spell my name in Germany. Try that in America.
"You're Amish? Okay buddy, whatever, but I asked you for your name, not your religion. And you're in trouble, I saw you getting out of a car..."
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