El Apellido Nicolas Guillen English Translation [EXTENDED — PICK]

: The poet questions his Spanish surname (Guillén), noting it was inherited from colonizers, not his biological ancestors.

In a literal genealogical sense, "el apellido Guillén" translates to " the surname William " or " the surname Williams ".

In the poem, Guillén grapples with the surname "Guillén"—a Spanish name—and what it represents:

"¿No tengo un antepasado mandinga, congo, dahomeyan? / ¿Cómo se llama su padre?" Translated to English: el apellido nicolas guillen english translation

In the poem, the speaker reflects on the Spanish surname he carries—imposed upon his ancestors by colonizers and slaveholders—contrasting it with the lost African lineage whose names, languages, and histories were systematically stripped away. The poem’s emotional weight lies in its painful questioning: What is my true name? What is the name of my African forebear? The repeated lines “¿Y mi apellido? / ¿Mi apellido?” (“And my surname? / My surname?”) become a haunting refrain for a missing identity.

"¿Desde la escuela / no me viene diciendo mi nombre un número, / un papel, un muchacho...?"

in 1954, is a foundational work of Afro-Antillean literature. It explores the forced loss of African identity and the imposition of Spanish colonial names. 📄 Poem Overview: "The Surname" : The poet questions his Spanish surname (Guillén),

: The poem is available in anthologies like My Last Name / El Apellido , translated by Roberto Márquez.

While this translation is accurate for study and comprehension, for formal academic citation, you should reference the published translation by Robert Márquez or Roberto Márquez (depending on the edition). Use this article as a guide for interpretation.

Before examining the translation, one must understand the weight of a "last name" in the context of the African slave trade. / ¿Cómo se llama su padre

“I carry it / like someone carries a scar.”

By examining the surname Nicolás Guillén and its English translation, we gain a deeper appreciation for the rich cultural heritage and literary traditions of Spanish-speaking countries.

Throughout the poem, Guillén asks what his real African family name was before it was stripped away by the slave trade. He seeks the linguistic and cultural roots that were systematically erased by European colonization. Key Stanzas and Their English Translation Analysis