I am Bonita Tindle. Bonita is my real name and, thanks, I do know what it means in Spanish. Can you believe everyone I meet asks: “Do you know what it means in Spanish?” as if I haven’t had my name for 21 years and no one has thought to tell me. I have this thing about names. Names are immensely important and special and one thing I do not like are those moments in class, during roll call and the teacher calls out: “Dominic! (Dom-mih-nick), is it (Dom-mih-nick) or (Dom-mih-neek)?” The student says: “Either is fine.”

What?

I don’t understand. Either can’t be fine. You have one name, your parents or guardian gave you one pronunciation of your name. I know I don’t like to be called (Buh-nee-tah) or (Buh-nee-duh) or (Boh-nee-duh). My name is (Boh-Nee-TAH).

In Russian culture, the people take names seriously. I read Tolstoy and the characters had more than one name (not pronunciation) that is used during different emotional times. The difference in names will be a abbreviated version or longer version, but each version has a different emotional meaning. Take for example the name, my name, Bonita. In Russia, being called by my whole name could indicate status, my whole name may be used by my peers and boss. My nickname, Bita, would be used only by my family. Another form of my name, Bonitata, could indicate anger by whoever is calling me. Nita, could be the name used by only my lover or people who have tenderness towards me.

You have learned my pet peeve and one thing I enjoy.