Guillén is a distinctively Spanish surname with deep roots in medieval Europe. It is a patronymic name, meaning it was originally derived from the name of a father or male ancestor. English Translation
For a full translation of this poem, see this online archive or reputable anthologies, such as Poetry Foundation's selection of works by Nicolás Guillén .
: It is a lyrical quest to reclaim a "forgotten name," symbolizing the broader search for Afro-Cuban heritage and the "Black Atlantic" experience. English Translation Overview
Would you like the full English text of the poem? el apellido nicolas guillen english translation
¡Pero que me lo roben, que me lo quiten! Oiganme, muchachos, que me lo roben: en la calle, en la hamaca, en la siesta, en la noria, en la fonda, en el café con leche, en el trago de ron que me bebo en silencio.
The poem is a dramatic monologue, a powerful poem that questions the reader directly. It begins with the speaker stating that he was given his name—his "surname"—as a child. This name is the European one, a "saint and sign" to speak with the stars, the "thirteen letters I carry on my back" everywhere he goes.
Guillén teaches us that a surname is not always a gift; sometimes it is a wound. In one of his most heart-wrenching lines, he reveals that he suspects his "other surname" must have been a beautiful, musical name, perhaps "Yoruba" or "Congo"—names of African ethnic groups erased by slavery. He will never know for sure. And in that uncertainty, "El Apellido" becomes a universal elegy for anyone who has ever wondered where they truly came from. Guillén is a distinctively Spanish surname with deep
Inland, drums were sounding; reed flutes trembled. And my grandparents, grandfather from over there, grandmother from over yonder, above this, below that, they said nothing.
Before diving into the English translation of "El apellido," we must understand the poet. Nicolás Guillén (1902–1989) was born in Camagüey, Cuba, a nation with a massive population of African descent. Despite Cuba’s mixed-race identity, systemic racism pushed Black Cubans to the margins.
Some notable English translations of Guillén's work include: : It is a lyrical quest to reclaim
The Meaning and English Translation of Nicolás Guillén’s Poem "El Apellido"
"El Apellido" (The Surname) is one of the most powerful poems by Nicolás Guillén, the national poet of Cuba. Written in 1951, this masterpiece explores identity, the trauma of the transatlantic slave trade, and the erasure of African heritage in the Americas.
In Spanish-speaking cultures, individuals typically carry two surnames: the first from the father and the second from the mother. In the case of the famous poet, his full name was Nicolás Cristóbal Guillén Batista. For the purpose of translation and genealogy, we focus on the two primary components: Nicolás and Guillén. Nicolás: The Given Name and Surname