Author Topic: The Anglicisation of Skaters' Names (Read 10410 times)

Chumbo · « **on:** April 03, 2020, 09:22:27 PM »

Linguistic anglicisation (or anglicization, occasionally anglification, anglifying, or Englishing) is the practice of modifying foreign words, names, and phrases in order to make them easier to spell, pronounce, or understand in English.

It seems like John Dilorenzo has now become John Dilo (in the Am Scramble, a bunch of other videos, the Almost team page https://almostskateboards.com/john-dilo). Other examples I could think of are:

Wade DesOrmeaux becoming Wade DesArmo
Rodrigo Teixeira becoming Rodrigo Tx
Axel Cruysberghs becoming Axel Crusher
Diego Bucchieri becoming Diego The Butcher

Any other examples? And what are your thoughts on this? Just a cool nickname? Or kinda wack? Like there's an Ellis Island vibe to it. Most of these guys' pro boards and video parts used the anglicized spelling of their names. Would you be bummed if a company changed your surname? Would you feel like you were losing a part of yourself and your heritage, and like you were cheating on your family’s name? For marketing purposes? Is it patronizing? I understand being unable to pronounce a certain name because it’s actually difficult to pronounce; however, many people flat-out refuse to learn how to pronounce foreign names.

SHARPSHOOTER · « **Reply #1 on:** April 03, 2020, 09:32:34 PM »

TJ Rogers real name Tyquavius Johnston Rogers, but they felt it was too... “urban” so they went with the friendlier TJ!

Chumbo · « **Reply #2 on:** April 03, 2020, 09:41:15 PM »

Quote from: SHARPSHOOTER on April 03, 2020, 09:32:34 PM

TJ Rogers real name Tyquavius Johnston Rogers, but they felt it was too... “urban” so they went with the friendlier TJ!

Good shit, but I think you're looking for this thread https://www.slapmagazine.com/index.php?topic=108187.0

Eggie Vedder · « **Reply #3 on:** April 03, 2020, 09:42:22 PM »

Vinny Garbardella - Vinny Vegas

My last name is Finnish and so hard to pronounce, I offer people $100 if they can say it correctly simply by looking at it. I work in a school and go by Mr. U because it’s just easier for everyone involved.

Makaveli · « **Reply #4 on:** April 03, 2020, 09:47:35 PM »

Jon Sciano is actually Jon Scioneaux.

SneakySecrets · « **Reply #5 on:** April 03, 2020, 10:02:57 PM »

Chad Tim Tim’s last name actually used to be Tim Tim Tim Tim Tim Tim Tim. Heard he donated all those extra Tim’s to charity.

Hefe43 · « **Reply #6 on:** April 03, 2020, 10:15:09 PM »

Quote from: Eggie Vedder on April 03, 2020, 09:42:22 PM

Vinny Garbardella - Vinny Vegas

My last name is Finnish and so hard to pronounce, I offer people $100 if they can say it correctly simply by looking at it. I work in a school and go by Mr. Uosukainen because it’s just easier for everyone involved.

Makaveli · « **Reply #7 on:** April 03, 2020, 10:23:29 PM »

Quote from: Hefe43 on April 03, 2020, 10:15:09 PM

Quote from: Eggie Vedder on April 03, 2020, 09:42:22 PM
Expand Quote
Vinny Garbardella - Vinny Vegas

My last name is Finnish and so hard to pronounce, I offer people $100 if they can say it correctly simply by looking at it. I work in a school and go by Mr. Uosukainen because it’s just easier for everyone involved.
[close]

“yoo-AH-soo-KY-nen”

must be nice · « **Reply #8 on:** April 04, 2020, 01:24:12 AM »

i thought that might just be how americans are

EdLawndale · « **Reply #9 on:** April 04, 2020, 01:31:59 AM »

ziggy · « **Reply #10 on:** April 04, 2020, 04:41:05 AM »

What about Sinner and Lizard King and Ragdoll?

HORSES · « **Reply #11 on:** April 04, 2020, 04:55:04 AM »

Quote from: ziggy on April 04, 2020, 04:41:05 AM

What about Sinner and Lizard King and Ragdoll?

Did you actually read the OP? None of those are similar to the ones in the OP.

NowhereInLife · « **Reply #12 on:** April 04, 2020, 04:58:50 AM »

moose? or tspliff?

ziggy · « **Reply #13 on:** April 04, 2020, 05:58:07 AM »

Quote from: HORSES on April 04, 2020, 04:55:04 AM

Quote from: ziggy on April 04, 2020, 04:41:05 AM
Expand Quote
What about Sinner and Lizard King and Ragdoll?
[close]

Did you actually read the OP? None of those are similar to the ones in the OP.

thanks internet hall monitor!

DISTANT RUMOURS · « **Reply #14 on:** April 04, 2020, 06:34:37 AM »

Daniel Supasirirat > Danny Supa

silhouette · « **Reply #15 on:** April 04, 2020, 06:41:58 AM »

Anyone else remember those super old comments on Theories where Bibby seemed to think Leo Valls was an anglicisation of Vivien Feil for marketing purposes, or maybe it was the other way around? He had skated with Vivien at that point, too, although never with Leo, and for the span of two comments he read deadly convinced that they were one same skater.

Allen. · « **Reply #16 on:** April 04, 2020, 06:47:38 AM »

Quote from: silhouette on April 04, 2020, 06:41:58 AM

Anyone else remember those super old comments on Theories where Bibby seemed to think Leo Valls was an anglicisation of Vivien Feil for marketing purposes, or maybe it was the other way around? He had skated with Vivien at that point, too, although never with Leo, and for the span of two comments he read deadly convinced that they were one same skater.

I really miss that era of Theories comments

Chumbo · « **Reply #17 on:** April 04, 2020, 06:51:29 AM »

Quote from: DISTANT RUMOURS on April 04, 2020, 06:34:37 AM

Daniel Supasirirat > Danny Supa

Thanks. I never knew about that one. I found this old Transworld interview where he talks about it a little. https://skateboarding.transworld.net/photos/20-questions-with-danny-supa/
10. Your full last name is Supasirirat. Did you or your family have reservations about you consolidating your last name for marketing purposes?

It actually used to be three letters longer. It used to be Supasiriratana. Then my mom shortened it, and it was just Supasirirat, and everyone just called my mom “Supa.” The nickname faded onto me. I felt like being called Supa, because when I entered contests I didn’t want anyone to mess up my name. I would be like, “Just put Supa on the thing.” That’s just what I do business as. All my good friends know my full name-they still call me by it. My skateboard name is Supa.

Jehoshaphat Augustus · « **Reply #18 on:** April 04, 2020, 06:56:43 AM »

Quote from: Chumbo on April 04, 2020, 06:51:29 AM

Quote from: DISTANT RUMOURS on April 04, 2020, 06:34:37 AM
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Daniel Supasirirat > Danny Supa
[close]
I found this old Transworld interview where he talks about it a little

Too bad you couldn't find the various slap threads that talk about it a lot

Chumbo · « **Reply #19 on:** April 04, 2020, 07:11:36 AM »

Quote from: Jehoshaphat Augustus on April 04, 2020, 06:56:43 AM

Quote from: Chumbo on April 04, 2020, 06:51:29 AM
Expand Quote
Quote from: DISTANT RUMOURS on April 04, 2020, 06:34:37 AM
Expand Quote
Daniel Supasirirat > Danny Supa
[close]
I found this old Transworld interview where he talks about it a little
[close]
Too bad you couldn't find the various slap threads that talk about it a lot

Speaking of anglicising names...

Quote from: Jehoshaphat Augustus on November 12, 2018, 05:22:25 AM

White Voy is my next slap name feel free to ignore me in advance
Jahospahat getting focused after post 998 believe me

fang · « **Reply #20 on:** April 04, 2020, 07:20:03 AM »

John Rodney Mullen

Tear Up a Trick · « **Reply #21 on:** April 04, 2020, 07:49:23 AM »

They shortened Burnquist to Gnar for a while.

Tear Up a Trick · « **Reply #22 on:** April 04, 2020, 08:08:20 AM »

I also think there was a skater whose name was shorted to "Gonz" or something.

Chumbo · « **Reply #23 on:** April 04, 2020, 08:13:19 AM »

Credited as Paul Trepanier in Top Dollar. Later truncated to Paul Trep.

Tear Up a Trick · « **Reply #24 on:** April 04, 2020, 08:26:09 AM »

Cab?

But OP as to your point in first post, I could see how some of these were playful or done for marketing while at the same time for a lot of people in small town America they never would have even heard a name like Guerrero in their whole life until Tommy G.

SHARPSHOOTER · « **Reply #25 on:** April 04, 2020, 08:56:12 AM »

Quote from: Chumbo on April 04, 2020, 08:13:19 AM

Credited as Paul Trepanier in Top Dollar. Later truncated to Paul Trep.

Paul Trep shared a YouTube Link: Tupac-Ghost.mp3

DotGuru · « **Reply #26 on:** April 04, 2020, 09:11:02 AM »

This thread would be better titled "The inability of most skaters to read/pronounce anything beyond 3rd grade level."

Craig Lutzka · « **Reply #27 on:** April 04, 2020, 09:12:01 AM »

Quote from: NowhereInLife on April 04, 2020, 04:58:50 AM

moose? or tspliff?

Luis de los Reyes I think is moose’s name.
What’s milky papa’s real name I’ve heard it but can’t remember.

Chumbo · « **Reply #28 on:** April 04, 2020, 09:16:49 AM »

Quote from: DotGuru on April 04, 2020, 09:11:02 AM

This thread would be better titled "The inability of most skaters to read/pronounce anything beyond 3rd grade level."

Nailed it. https://www.espn.com/action/skateboarding/news/story?id=4597165 Who gave you the nickname "The Nuge"?
Justin Roy and Richie Belton. They couldn't say my name so they made their own.

ChuckRamone · « **Reply #29 on:** April 04, 2020, 09:41:55 AM »

Quote from: Makaveli on April 03, 2020, 09:47:35 PM

Jon Sciano is actually Jon Scioneaux.

Tony Hawk is actually Antonio Hawksniskoyevsky.