My North German Namesake
Hauke Mormann
HaMo - Kiel
Probably no one needs to tell you that different people in different parts of the world can come up with the same idea and still be original. This is because we humans are so much alike -- no matter our culture of origin. Moreover, the obstacles that many of us face in life vis-à-vis our own societies are often quite similar. This is especially true in
today's world, where so much for so many is only a
click
away.
One day, while surfing the internet for others with the name of Hamo, I stumbled on Hauke Mormann's website. What follows is my discovery in English translation.
Translated by Hamo in Hong Kong
March 21, 2004
Well Hauke, just because South Germans have trouble with your name, there is no reason why the rest of the world must struggle with it as well.
Illustration by Jens Rusch, 1987.
Hauke Mormann
HaMo - Kiel
Probably no one needs to tell you that different people in different parts of the world can come up with the same idea and still be original. This is because we humans are so much alike -- no matter our culture of origin. Moreover, the obstacles that many of us face in life vis-à-vis our own societies are often quite similar. This is especially true in
today's world, where so much for so many is only a
click
away.One day, while surfing the internet for others with the name of Hamo, I stumbled on Hauke Mormann's website. What follows is my discovery in English translation.
Soon after I was
born my parents made an effort to come up with a name for me that
clearly identified me as a North German. As they were both very fond of
a short story by Theodor Storm, a well-known 19th century North German
author, they decided to name me after the legendary Dykemaster Hauke
Heien of the Schimmelreiter. Although a very nice gesture on
their part, neither have I become
a master of dikes nor a horseback enthusiast. Moreover, I am hardly a
ghost! What is worse, just about everyone south of Lower Saxony appears
confused about my gender. Well, if the titles one uses in
addressing correspondence are a good indicator of this confusion, then
a full 50% of all South Germans are off the mark.
Translated by Hamo in Hong Kong
March 21, 2004
Well Hauke, just because South Germans have trouble with your name, there is no reason why the rest of the world must struggle with it as well.
Illustration by Jens Rusch, 1987.
