I just started learning French last Friday and am mostly using Google Translate.
“I go by (nickname)” translates the same as “My name is…”. To get it to translate into French I had to use “My nickname is (nickname)” which translates as “Mon surnom est…”.
Do you know any other idioms for nicknames? @DetunedGuitar @Aziz
Translation:
A nickname between friends, it does not necessarily please, but it is still a pleasure for a friend to take the time to identify us.
This sounds like you only use your nickname if you are friends. In the US, you tell people you go by… I do this because I don’t like the formality of my official name.
I live in the Southern USA and frequently people don’t go by their official name. It isn’t considered friendly.
How about the other regions of the USA.
Nicholas might go by Nick. I would think it odd if he went by Nicholas. Nicholas isn’t my real name.
My maternal great grandfather was an immigrant from Germany. My grandma spoke German, and I learned some German before she died. In German “blue” can mean drunk, though that’s not the reason for BlueOne65. I’m an alcoholic, so maybe it’s appropriate.
My family members use a a shortened or different version of my name. Other people I’ve just met I just tell them my given first name and it’s not considered rude.
Thanks @ThePickinSkunk. Maybe it’s a redneck or Cajun thing.
I don’t know if it’s a European or German thing, but it’s a big deal when you agree to be friends and begin using “Du”,familar you, instead of the formal “Sie”.
Is this true of the French culture?
I guess maybe I shouldn’t use this term:
The article says redneck became offensive in the 1970’s. I was a teenager in the 70’s and learned redneck when I was a kid in the 1960’s.
My dad was just a enlisted man (Private) in the Army, and we definitely weren’t rich.
Sorry I’m jabbering on. I think I’m manic this evening.
In Canada people tend to go by their given names. My wife is Jennifer and goes by Jennifer. She dislikes people shortening her name, I’m the only one who gets away with it. I’m Sean and go by Sean. Someone who is a Nicholas may go by Nick, but that’s usually the extent of it.
Thanks @shutterbug. I’m Michael, and everyone calls me Mike except for my Mom who’s passed on and the nurse at my psychiatric clinic.
The mods usually say not to use your real name which is why I used Nicholas as an example. I was thinking of @DetunedGuitar being in France and not familiar with Southern USA culture. You may not be familiar with it either.
I have a friend named Michael. He’d punch me in the nose if I called him Mike!
Hi @anon54988740 ,
I do not really understand your question.
In France, "mon surnom est … " is the only way to say “my nickname is” , I think.
I’m not sure either. We say I go by Mike. It’s short for Michael. Everyone calls me Mike except for my mom and the nurse. If it’s something formal such as the bank or government, I tell them Michael, otherwise I say Mike. I guess it’s a nickname. The University has a place for the name you go by, in addition to your official name.
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