After nearly 23 years of answering to the same name, its been surprisingly easy to pick up a new one. Within hours of moving in with my new host family, they asked me if I had a Kosraean name in mind. Lenson had told us that we’d most likely be named after deceased or notable family members. For some reason I expected to be given a Kosraean name, and then it would be used just within the immediate family.
“Kosraean name? No, I don’t really know, it’s up to you guys,” I shrugged. That night I went to bed nameless and woke up to my host mom (ninac) ending a phone conversation. “Our daughter Srue (shroo-ay) just called and she asked if we had a name for you. What do you think about the name Srue? Then we can have 2 Srues. She is named after my *insert important family member that I shamefully don’t remember*” “Sounds good,” I figured they knew better than I the good Kosraean names.
As I introduced myself “Inek pa Heather.. oh, or Srue” I gradually noticed that people enjoyed the novelty of a white girl with a Kosraean name. I think the tipping point was when I was preparing for my swear-in ceremony and ninac said “We would be very proud if you used your Kosrae name in the speech.” Well, can’t say no to that, haha. After introducing myself to the prominent community figures as Srue during swear-in, there was no turning back. Even with my students, I used both names and they stuck with what the adults did.
In Kosrae when a woman gets married, her husband’s first name then becomes a sort of add-on to her first name. Prior to marriage, the add-on is her fathers name. The distinguishing factor between my host sister and I is that she is married, and I am not. Srue and her husband split their time here and with his family, at about a 30/70 ratio. So whenever she’s around, we both inevitably turn our heads at my ninac calling “Srue!” Then she laughs, noting her mistake, and clarifies with “Oh, I mean Srue-John” (host-sis) or “Oh, I mean Srue-Pastor” (moi). For some reason, it’s a little different when we’re in public though…
“Kosraean name? No, I don’t really know, it’s up to you guys,” I shrugged. That night I went to bed nameless and woke up to my host mom (ninac) ending a phone conversation. “Our daughter Srue (shroo-ay) just called and she asked if we had a name for you. What do you think about the name Srue? Then we can have 2 Srues. She is named after my *insert important family member that I shamefully don’t remember*” “Sounds good,” I figured they knew better than I the good Kosraean names.
As I introduced myself “Inek pa Heather.. oh, or Srue” I gradually noticed that people enjoyed the novelty of a white girl with a Kosraean name. I think the tipping point was when I was preparing for my swear-in ceremony and ninac said “We would be very proud if you used your Kosrae name in the speech.” Well, can’t say no to that, haha. After introducing myself to the prominent community figures as Srue during swear-in, there was no turning back. Even with my students, I used both names and they stuck with what the adults did.
In Kosrae when a woman gets married, her husband’s first name then becomes a sort of add-on to her first name. Prior to marriage, the add-on is her fathers name. The distinguishing factor between my host sister and I is that she is married, and I am not. Srue and her husband split their time here and with his family, at about a 30/70 ratio. So whenever she’s around, we both inevitably turn our heads at my ninac calling “Srue!” Then she laughs, noting her mistake, and clarifies with “Oh, I mean Srue-John” (host-sis) or “Oh, I mean Srue-Pastor” (moi). For some reason, it’s a little different when we’re in public though…
Background info: “Asit” (aw-sit) is a term meaning foreign person, or, frankly, white person. It is the equivalent of Pohnpei’s “menwai”. 99% of the time it is meant as a statement of fact and not an insult. There are some cases in which it could be used as derogatory, but between you and me, I’m not nearly advanced enough in the art of Kosre-nglish to know if/when I’m encountering this. Legend has it, the term came from way back when the first white people visited the island. “Ah, shit!” the Kosraeans heard them say over and over. And well, it just kind of stuck. Cute, right?
When both Srue and I are at birthday parties or church events, ninac presents me as Srue-asit. From Heather to Srue white person/ Srue “Ah, shit!” Sure enough, I answer to it. Those clever, clever Kosraeans…