My other ME

I don’t know if you have some difficulties in pronouncing my name HAZEL (Hey-zhul). On the other hand, when I arrived in France my name became AZEL (ah-zel) some would call me ASSEL (but I am not one & I assure you I don’t create hassle) and because French doesn’t pronounce the letter H! I didn’t know that French and Kapangpangan’s have in common. In Pampangga they don’t pronounce the letter H until I became friends with my friend C who is an origin of Pampangga (we’re both working in the Hotel Industry). One night, we were watching a film at home and in that particular scene there was a snake and she was screaming really hard while watching and pointing her finger on the television to warn the actors as if she could be heared by them “ Naku ingat ka sa a-as!!” (Oh be careful with the???). At that time I didn’t get it and inquisitively asked her what was about a-as after all? She smilingly told me that in Pampangga they don’t pronounce the H so she was referring about Ahas (snake) ! Thus, the next time she asked me to pass the ANGER she is talking about HANGER (a hook or rod used for hanging clothes)! I jokingly told you her you should be calling me AZEL then! She grinned at me explaining that for names of person and places will be particularly different. They could pronounce the H without technical hitches. Ouf, I was released then my name will be pronounced properly. This is because the Kapangpangan’s writing method had only 14 characters compared to the 26 calligraphy of the modern alphabets. They did not have the letters “f,” “v” and “h” and had only one character for “d” and “r,” one symbol for “e” and “i,” and one symbol for “o” and “u.” And that is also why they have trouble pronouncing “V” and “F”. Next time do not be surprised if a Kapangpangan says Ello and Good-Vye!

Going back to France I am okay when they call me AZEL or ASSEL. I understand why they drop the H letter because it’s the rule. I asked them why and got a simple explanation that it is a silent H so it would be inflexible for them to articulate with aspiration. I will bring you further on how they pronounce my name or call me as they want them to call me. A comical story I encountered on my first visit to Corsica and at that time I am no speaking French so everything was translated in English by Honey. He introduced me to the village people and to his distant cousins. And so I met his cousin P which is now 81 years old (she doesn’t look her age). A typical Corsican woman and warm by nature. She speaks French as well as the native language Corsu. Honey told me that she speaks robust Corsican accent which sometimes difficult to understand. Then we have kissed cheeks to cheeks as a sign of Hello in France.

Scenario:

Honey : Voila P, c’est mon épouse, Hazel. (Voila P, it"s my wife Hazel.)

Me : Ravie de vous connaître P, enfin ! (I am glad to meet you P, finally!)

P : Comment tu t’appelles déjà ? (she approached me closely so she could hear me right) (What is your name again?)

I had probably repeated thrice articulating my name. Unfortunately, my name is not frequent in France therefore it’s tough to remember and pronounce it. She looked at me with confusion. And P was trying really hard remembering my name but apparently my name is tough for her to remember.

P : Oh la la, c’est trop complique pour moi. Je ne peux pas me souvenir de ton prénom, désolé ! Alors, je t’appellerai ISABELLE ! Comme ça c’est facile. (Oh la la, it's to complicated for me. I would not be able to remember your name, sorry! So, I will call you Isabelle! Now that's easy.)

I was surprised too perkily that I couldn’t express since I didn’t understand a single word she said……only ISABELLE. I was like why is she talking about Isabelle? I have understood after Honey translated everything she said. I smilingly told her, it’s not a big deal Isabelle is fine! And we laugh altogether.

Whenever we go and visit her she calls me Isabelle. At times I have the feeling that I am another person behind this beautiful name!