El Apellido Nicolas Guillen English Translation Jun 2026

"El Apellido" is more than a Cuban poem; it is a universal anthem for the African diaspora. It speaks directly to the shared experience of millions of people in the Americas whose ancestral names, languages, and histories were erased by colonization.

, published as a bilingual edition. This translation is often included in anthologies of his work, such as Man-making Words: Selected Poems of Nicolás Guillén

The second surname comes from the mother's first surname. The poet’s mother was Argelia Batista Arrieta.

Understanding the English Translation and Meaning of "El Apellido" by Nicolás Guillén el apellido nicolas guillen english translation

While Guillén is famous for Motivos de son (1930) and Sóngoro cosongo (1931), which celebrate Afro-Cuban rhythm, marks a darker, more political turn. Here, the celebration is gone. In its place is grief.

The poem asks a devastating question: What is my real name?

Guillén compares his last name to a scar and a stolen ring. For English readers, think of Native American renaming or African slaves given English/Portuguese names. The poem universalizes the trauma of forced naming. "El Apellido" is more than a Cuban poem;

Guillén is celebrated as the pioneer of poesía negra (Black poetry) and the incorporation of the son —a traditional Cuban musical rhythm—into formal verse.

If you are researching this for a specific project, please let me know:

Transculturation in the Poetry of Nicolás Guillén - ucf stars This translation is often included in anthologies of

The translation of "lacras y de cadenas" into "blemishes and chains" captures the physical and psychological marks of slavery. It shows that a colonial surname carries the invisible weight of shackles. Translation Challenges: "Afrocubanismo" and Rhythm

And that’s when I wrote:

While this translation is accurate for study and comprehension, for formal academic citation, you should reference the published translation by Robert Márquez or Roberto Márquez (depending on the edition). Use this article as a guide for interpretation.

Surname? What is my surname? Ask the black slave who lived on the large plantation. Ask the iron collar, the branding iron, the whip, the ship’s hold. Ask the dog that doesn’t speak, but bites. And my surname? My surname?