Letters: our names always raise a smile in france

READERS SHARE THEIR ANECDOTES ABOUT ADAPTING THEIR NAMES TO FRENCH  To the Editor, My wife’s maiden name was Nee (and yes, her father’s initial was ‘K’).  There was great confusion when

signing the documentation to buy our house. By then we were married and she was using her married surname – no problems there.  However, we then had to complete a section which asked for her

maiden name. So the question on the form was ‘Née’? To which she put ‘Nee’.  They could not understand how or why she was Born? Born. Strange but true! Nigel Murrills, by email Read more:

Learning French – when and why do we say avoir un coup de cœur? To the Editor, For my surname, I often use L’évêque as the French can get that easier than Bishop. I have also taken the

trouble to learn how to spell my surname using French pronunciation of the letters of the alphabet. As for my first name, Holly, I have tried using the French houx but the staff in our

village shop call me “au lit” and I laugh along with them. Holly Bishop, Charente To the Editor, I enjoyed your article on confusing English names in French and was reminded of an English

teacher who many years ago told us that the post office once delivered a letter to him in England that was addressed to his home in 'Claque de Nancy'.  It was of course

Clacton-on-Sea. Allan Black, by email To the Editor, More often than not I am called Monsieur Highness, as the French rarely pronounce ‘Haynes’ correctly.  I also get called Heinz even if I

tell them there is no similarity with the famous baked beans  Mark Haynes, by email Read more: How French CVs differ from those in the UK or US To the Editor, My late ex-brother-in-law had

the surname Moore.  We were always amused whenever he rang up anywhere, announcing himself to the listener as Mr Death! Sarah Trickey-Völker, by email Read more: Learning French – when and

why would we describe someone as un Bisounours? Is your name met with bafflement or bemusement by locals in France? Share your own anecdotes with us at [email protected]