No More Translations
By Alejandra Ramos Gomez
Alejandra Ramos Gomez is a poet, writer and bilingual educator in Dallas.
My name is Alejandra, but my friends back home call me Nash. This nickname is short for Nadxieelii, my Zapotec name. I moved to the U.S. six years ago and thought that my indigenous name would be too hard for people to pronounce. I started introducing myself as Alejandra, "like Alexandra but with a J."
Assimilation was more complicated than I thought. I was always an outspoken person, but I often felt lost in translation when I moved. I was aware of my accent, and I would worry about little things like mispronouncing my Zs.
I grew up writing poetry, but as an immigrant, I started doubting my words. The spoken word scene was different on the other side of the border, and during the first few years, I thought I had to change my ways to fit in. I started writing more in English, translating my thoughts and words. I often felt like I had to speak a certain way, but no one stopped to consider that this is my second language, and internal conversations occur in my mother tongue.
An original poem by Alejandra Ramos Gomez.
Earlier this summer, I joined a book production group. At the first meeting, I introduced myself as Nash. As I reflect on it, I think it was a way of reclaiming my identity after all these years. I decided that from now on, I will not translate my words and emotions anymore.
I am officially writing my first bilingual poetry book without translations, letting inspiration flow in whichever language it comes. I am no longer afraid to speak up because I know the content that I share is more important than how it sounds.
Nadxieelii means I love you. Thinking and communicating in two languages is no longer a weakness, but instead, an act of self-love.
““Nadxieelii means I love you. Thinking and communicating in two languages is no longer a weakness, but instead, an act of self-love.” — @Aramosgomez92, poet, writer and bilingual educator in Dallas. #PowerToChangeStories”
Alejandra Ramos Gomez is a poet, writer and bilingual educator in Dallas. @aramosgomez92 https://www.instagram.com/aramosgomez/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/alejandraramosgomez/