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I remember the first time I met Richard: we were first years at college and
it was on the second day (the first day was spent unpacking and
familiarising ourselves with the idyllic setting of our new home) when the
entire first year intake, about two hundred of us, were gathered together
in college hall for our inaugral lecture.
The ceremony began with the taking of the register. He was sitting
next to me and we had already introduced ourselves, christian names only of
course. Being called Yates, I was used to waiting for my name to be
called, I was used to being last (and there's a whole psychological study
waiting to be done there!) I did not notice Richard's agitation but
eventually his moment came - "Richard Bottom". Well, they tried to stifle
the laughter but they didn't quite manage it and even the lecturer couldn't
hide an embarassed smile.
Poor lad! It wasn't his parents' fault, it wasn't his
fault, no-one had done anything wrong, but it occured to me that this poor
soul must have had to endure this this every single time his name was
pronounced, anywhere, since the day he first walked out of his mum's front
door.
They coudn't help it and it's thinking of Richard that makes me so, well,
yes, I suppose it's angry, when I come across a kid who has deliberately or
thoughtlessy been saddled with a name which will so
obviously be a burden to them. They can't all be the "Boy
named Sue" story.
Please don't misunderstand me, I don't mean to say that an unusual name is
necessarily a burden - for many kids an unusual name is something of which they
can be proud - I knew a lad who rejoiced in the name of Hereward
Brown and he really did rejoice in it - it was badge of honour. A friend
of mine, Benedict will not be called "Ben" because there are hundreds of Bens,
there are very few Benedicts. But some, like Emma Royds for
example, are very obviously going to cause problems, at least in early
life - children can be so cruel.
I am interested in names. My name is Lawrence. My grandfather's
name is Lawrence. I have two cousins called Lawrence and my Uncle Lawrence
is called Lawrence too, but at least we kept it in the family!
All the best,
Lawrence (who, if he ever should have a son, will name him
Lawrence)
"þaes
ofereode - þisses swa maeg"
http://lawrenceyates.co.uk Dulcian Wind Quintet: http://dulcianwind.co.uk |
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