Discussion:
[MB] French foreign legion
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Emma Wheeler
2008-12-04 09:57:55 UTC
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A slightly tongue-in-cheek article in one of the UK's daily papers got me thinking:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/france/3546207/The-French-Foreign-Legion---the-last-option-for-those-desperate-to-escape-the-UK.html

If all Legionnaires have to take a new name on entering, and Willie Garvin was a Legionnaire, then is Willie Garvin his 'new' name, and if not, what would his Legion name have been? Presumably most Legionnaires take a French name...

Not expecting any answers really, just made me think!

best wishes,
Emma
Stray Taoist
2008-12-04 11:45:57 UTC
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Post by Emma Wheeler
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/france/3546207/The-French-Foreign-Legion---the-last-option-for-those-desperate-to-escape-the-UK.html
If all Legionnaires have to take a new name on entering, and Willie Garvin was a Legionnaire, then is Willie Garvin his 'new' name, and if not, what would his Legion name have been? Presumably most Legionnaires take a French name...
Well, Giuam (phonetically, perhaps, has been a *long* time since I did O
Level French, which probably shows how long ago it was) is the French
rendering of William. Garvin (pronounced Gar-vaaah) is Gallic-esque, non? So
maybe Willie Garvin isn't his real name, and he Anglisicied it upon leaving.

Which means his real name is probably Gorblimeyluv O'Cockney or something :)
Post by Emma Wheeler
Not expecting any answers really, just made me think!
Best not thinking, I find, it only gets you into trouble...

m.
--
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Kent Hedlundh
2008-12-04 12:03:52 UTC
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Guillaume is the French spelling of William...Garvin could indeed
be a French name just as well as an English. Martin is one of the most
common surnames in France.

Best,
Kent
Stray Taoist
2008-12-04 14:01:06 UTC
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Post by Kent Hedlundh
Guillaume is the French spelling of William...Garvin could indeed
be a French name just as well as an English. Martin is one of the most
common surnames in France.
Ah, thanks. I knew how it was pronounced, but the spelling escaped me. I
stand corrected, thank you!

cheers,

m.
--
http://weblog.straytoaster.co.uk/ # Gotta have a weblog. It is the law.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/straytoaster # All the cool kids have photostreams
http://www.myspace.com/thirtyspokes # talent not included
Helen Evans
2008-12-04 17:49:43 UTC
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What a hilarious article - thanks for sharing, Emma!

I could imagine Willie picking a different name upon entering,
something with a humorous reference. Given that his knowledge of
literature would likely have been scant in those days, maybe a local
reference...? Probably the name of his local butcher, or the father of
the first girl he kissed, something like that.

Helen
Post by Emma Wheeler
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/france/3546207/The-French-Foreign-Legion---the-last-option-for-those-desperate-to-escape-the-UK.html
If all Legionnaires have to take a new name on entering, and Willie Garvin was a Legionnaire, then is Willie Garvin his 'new' name, and if not, what would his Legion name have been? Presumably most Legionnaires take a French name...
Not expecting any answers really, just made me think!
best wishes,
Emma
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