My Family's Roots
My first name (Sender) is an English-pronounced version of my name in Mongolian. Сэндэр is how it would be spelled in Mongolian, and it comes from some random Mongolian song that my mom likes. The song is about a young baby named Сэндэр and how it spiritually grows up in Mongolia (I guess). Mongolian songs are very spiritual and tied to the daily culture, therefore, there is a strong sense of culture and pride of being a Mongolian in my name. My last name (Munkhgerel) is my dad’s first name, a common trend rooted deeply in Mongolian culture. When I immigrated to America at the age of two, my name changed to Cindy up until 2nd grade. Cindy was my “American” name, but I still use it to this day at my job and as my Starbucks name. My name was Cindy up until 2nd grade because that’s when I moved to Skokie from Chicago. It went back to Sender when I got to Skokie and remained the same when I moved from Skokie to Wilmette during the summer going into freshman year at New Trier.
At school I “become” an American, but at home I remain a Mongolian. My parents barely speak English, so we communicate in Mongolian at home. We eat Mongolian food, drink Mongolian beverages, listen to Mongolian songs, and even watch Mongolia’s Got Talent. We also celebrate Mongolian holidays, most notably Tsagaan Sar (Mongolian New Year), which occurs at the same time Chinese New Year does. Though we do very Mongolian things, my family still eats/makes Polish and Russian food, and my dad enjoys watching the Blackhawks at night. And no, if you were wondering, we don’t eat Mongolian barbeque (it’s not even Mongolian) or know how to throat sing.
Sender, your history is so interesting and cool! I thought how you described your first and last name was really interesting because of your different names you have had throughout your life. As well, the mongolia's got talent was funny.
ReplyDeleteAnd here's a comment from Isabella: "I found the origins behind your name really interesting and it’s very interesting that you have had multiple names throughout your lifetime. I really liked that you mentioned how when you come to school you “become” american, but when at home you remain Mongolian. I think that in America, this is the case for a lot of people who come from different cultures, and it’s interesting that people just keep their culture within their home in order to “fit in” with American culture."
ReplyDeleteGreat post, sender! really enjoyed your comments about how you have to adopt different identities with school, home, and work responsibilities. your post also addresses the interesting idea of celebrating mongolian culture, but also celebrating things that are considered more mainstreamed "american" (i love the example of your dad enjoying blackhawks games).
ReplyDeleteSender, it was really interesting to read about how your name has changed after you immigrated here. Also, I found it very fascinating to see how much your culture influences your life.
ReplyDeleteSender, I found it quite interesting that you changed your name to be “American” since I think that Sender is quite an American name. Why did you change your name? Any reason is particular? Like you, I also speak another language at home (Lithuanian), and preserve that culture. I also agree that at school one is American, but at home, one is a different type of person. Having been named after a song us very interesting. Personally, I changed my name into a nickname, but I never actually changed my name. I liked your connection to Cindy being your Starbucks name, which is what Viet Thanh Nguyen wrote in “America, Say My Name”. Very cool history, and stay yourself!
ReplyDeleteSender, I found it interesting how your name is from a Mongolian song as well as how your life is very influenced from where you originated from despite now living in America. But how did you choose the name Cindy? Is it the closest name to Sender in english? I also found it intriguing how you have different identities depending on where you are and who you're with.
ReplyDelete