: The poem reflects the "poetic mestizaje"—a synthesis of Spanish and African cultural elements that defines the Caribbean identity. Collective History
The English translation of "El Apellido" bridges the gap between Afro-Latino history and the global African Diaspora. It resonates strongly with English-speaking readers who study post-colonial literature, African American history, and diaspora studies. The themes in Guillén's work parallel the concepts explored by English-language writers like Langston Hughes—who was a close friend of Guillén and translated some of his other works—as well as Derek Walcott and Aimé Césaire.
The poem opens as a dialogue. The speaker is confronting you —the reader, the white establishment, or the Spanish descendant who takes surnames for granted. By the end, the question turns inward.
The surname Guillén is a Spanish patronymic derived from the medieval personal name , which is the Hispanic equivalent of the English name William . el apellido nicolas guillen english translation
The first surname comes from the father's first surname. In the case of the famous poet, his father was Nicolás Guillén Urra. Therefore, Guillén became the primary family name.
. The poem is a profound exploration of identity, Afro-Cuban heritage, and the erasure of African ancestry caused by the legacy of slavery. cuba50.org Core Themes and Analysis Identity Erasure
In Cuba, café con leche is a common breakfast drink. However, Guillén famously uses "coffee with milk" as a metaphor for racial mixing (white milk + black coffee). Here, the theft of his surname haunts even the most mundane, mixed-race daily rituals. : The poem reflects the "poetic mestizaje"—a synthesis
Read the English translation aloud. Then read the Spanish original aloud. Pay attention to the rhythm. In the silences between the lines—where the grandparents’ tongues rotted—you will hear the true translation.
A common Spanish given name, equivalent to "Nicholas" in English. It originates from the Greek name Nikolaos , meaning "victory of the people."
In the line "que me lo quiten, carajo," the word carajo is a Cuban interjection of frustration—roughly equivalent to "damn it" or "for heaven's sake." A literal translation ("penis") would be incorrect. The translation uses "damn it" to preserve the violent frustration of the speaker. The themes in Guillén's work parallel the concepts
From which specific tribe, culture, or land did his ancestors come? Who holds the pieces of his shattered family history?
Guillén opens the poem by looking at his official identification and questioning the origin of his name.