THE MÁIRTÍN

—I realized something about your name yesterday.

—Oh, what was that?

—I saw a programme on the telly about an Irish poet and realized that you have a real name.

—Who was the poet?

—Máirtín somebody or other.  I'm not sure who, but it made me realize that your name is real and not something you just made up.

—Máirtín Ó Cadhain or Máirtín Ó Direáin?

—I can't remember.  But I always thought that your name was an affected way of pronouncing Martin that you created for yourself.

—I'm happy for you.  Perhaps now you will read the poetry.

—This is our neighbor Martin.

—My name is actually Máirtín.

—Were you baptized Martin or Máirtín?

—I was barely five days old at my christening so I really don't remember.

—What's on your birth certificate then?

—Ireland is a bilingual country.  All Irish people are entitled to use either form of their name as they please.

—Right.  Martin it is, so.



—Tell me again, what did you say your name is?

—Máirtín.

—What is that? Is it like Martin?

—No, it's Máirtín.

—How do you spell it?

—M. á. i. r. t. í. n.

—Where does it come from?

—I believe it comes from Latin, a reference to the Roman god of war, Mars.

—Oh, it's the name Martin.

—Dia ár sabháil!

"I should also like to call attention to the illogical position of men who drop their own language to speak English, of men who translate their euphonious Irish names into English monosyllables, of men who read English books, and know nothing about Gaelic literature, nevertheless protesting as a matter of sentiment that they hate the country which at every hand's turn they rush to imitate."

Dubhghlas de hÍde, First President of Ireland

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