My Name is Michael, I Got a Nickel…
OK, this post has been a long time coming.
For over a decade, people keep asking me, “So, what is it: Michel? Michael? Mike? What?” (I prefer “Master,” but I digress.)
My wonderful wife calls me “Mish.” (Short for “Michel,” pronounced “Mish-al.”)
In turn, I call her “Rish,” which is short for “Licorice.” The story behind it is, when we first met, a friend told us we were lovebirds, always together, inseparable. Like licorice. (Yes, we still are!)
Anyway, here’s the thing.
My real name is “Michel Guy Joseph Fortin.” (Or just “Michel Fortin.” Just like this blog’s address.) It’s a French-Canadian name, as I was born in Gatineau, Quebec, oh, 40 years ago.
(In fact, that was the location of a long-time analytics package I used to use for my websites, until they were acquired by Microsoft, called “Deep Metrix.” To give you an idea, Microsoft is about to launch their metrics package to compete with Google, based on that package, codenamed Gatineau.)
Anyway, here’s the problem. Being in a bilingual country, most anglophone Canadians will instantly know that “Michel” can be male or female. But when I was introduced to my very first American client over a decade ago, he responded in a surprisingly confused and disconcerting manner:
“What?! But, you’re not a girl?”
This confused me at first, since the female version of the name requires an “e” at the end. Similar to Italian, Spanish or any other Latin-based language, words that end with “a” are female, and “o” (or the lack of an “e” in French) are male. Like “Gino” versus “Gina,” for instance.
But this strange event happened again and again. It happened more times than I cared to count. So at a certain point, I felt compelled to do something about it, since I was getting tired of explaining myself. And here’s what I did.
As a child, my French-speaking parents nicknamed me “Michael.” I even remember when they bought me my first 45-speed vinyl record, which was “Playground In My Mind” by Clint Holmes. (The chorus goes, “My name is Michael, I got a nickel…”)
I also remember when I took English immersion in junior high school. (Boy do I remember!) When we were asked to introduce ourselves on the first day of school, I told my teacher, Sister Helen (yes, it was a catholic school), that my name was “Michael.”
The principal was in class that day. (Ironically, his name was “Michel, too.) I remember Sister Helen looking at me, with a stern frown. She said in her disapproving voice: “Names are not translatable!”
Now, maybe she said that because francophone Quebeckers are very protective of their language and culture. (They even instituted laws to do so.) But little did she know that I was using the nickname my parents used so often, even when they, or I, couldn’t speak a smidgen of English.
I thought I was being smart by using it in class. (Luckily, I learned fast. Probably faster than any other kid in class. So Sister Helen was a lot gentler with me as time went on.)
And you know, for a lot of French Canadians it seems, calling a francophone person by the English version of their name often ends up as a nickname. It’s like a term of endearment, particularly when used by your closest friends and family.
(As a kid, when my parents used to call me by my French name — that is, my real name — it was like an alarm bell because I knew I was in trouble for something!)
I’m used to “Michael.” It’s my nickname. And it’s the name I use in business and the name I introduce myself with. Sure, it’s spelled “Michel.” But I pronounce it, and prefer, “Michael.” So if you ever wondered, now you know.
I hope this solves it once and for all.
Most French Canadians are bilingual. In fact, many francophone Canadians incorporate English words in their day-to-day vocabulary. (I know we did as kids in both grade and high schools. A lot.)
Here’s a perfect example. It’s also one of my favorite vloggers (i.e., video bloggers) on the Internet. This guy is from Montreal and he produces videos with claymation characters, with his own face superimposed. It’s the funniest stuff I’ve ever seen!
If you’re American or an anglophone Canadian, you’ll hopefully grasp at least 50% of what this next video says. (Just the video itself is a riot!) And if you’re Canadian or of French descent, let me warn you: you’re going to roll on the floor laughing your posterior off. I know I did.
Here it is: it’s a great satire of those direct response infomercials.
About the Author
Michel Fortin is a direct response copywriter, author, speaker, consultant, and CEO of The Success Doctor, Inc. Visit his blog and signup free to get tested conversion strategies and response-boosting tips by email, along with blog updates, news, and more! Go now to http://www.michelfortin.com.
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Posted by Michel Fortin on January 25th, 2007. Filed in News, Opinions, Personal, Questions. Tagged as analytics, bilingual, canadian, catholic school, english, french, gatineau, licorice, michel fortin, microsoft, nickname, quebec, vlogging. Follow responses through the RSS feed.
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From AndyC
Ok, so how do we prononce “Guy”? :o>
Author's Website January 25th, 2007
From Michel Fortin
Lol! It’s pronounced “Guee”. But then again, I’m just another guy, too
Author's Website January 25th, 2007
From Michel Fortin
Oh, someone just emailed me, asking me about that picture at the top of this post. That was me at 9 years old.
Author's Website January 25th, 2007
From Andrew Cavanagh
Yeh I have exactly the same problem because as you know the female version of Andrew (pronounced identically) is “Andrewe”.
Author's Website January 25th, 2007
From Ted Crowder
Ya know I’ve kind of been 50/50 Michael and Michel every time I’ve said your name and there’s no rhyme or reason why I say say one or the other.
You’re just the guy with two names to me.
But if you prefer Michael, that’s good enough for me!
Later, Ted
I got a nickel shiny and new. I’m gonna buy me all kindsa candy, that’s what I’m gonna do.
Author's Website January 25th, 2007
From Clint Lenard
lol I always thought it was just Michael, without the “a”.
Author's Website January 25th, 2007
From Ken McArthur
Hi Michel,
I’m afraid that I may have inspired this post from my post on my own blog at:
http://learningfolder.net/blog/
Somehow after all of these years of following you and reading you, my “ancient” brain just read Michael.
I’ve corrected my blog post, and beg your forgiveness.
All the best,
Ken
Kenneth A. McArthur
jvAlertLive.com
Author's Website January 25th, 2007
From Ken McArthur
Oops my typo. Cleaned up at:
http://learningfolder.net/blog/
Apologies twice in the same day!
Ken
Author's Website January 25th, 2007
From Michel Fortin
LOL! Actually, not really, Ken. It was inspired because that “event” I talked about (e.g., “you’re not a girl!”) happened two days ago. Though I saw your post, I’m used to it.
In fact, I don’t mind “Michael” in the spelling, too, since there’s another Michel Fortin on the Internet — he’s the programmer from Quebec City who writes plugins (Markdown, for example) for WordPress, at http://www.michelf.com/ … so “Michael” with the “a” is fine.
(Now I betcha you’re more confused now, eh?)
Author's Website January 25th, 2007
From Lynette
So now I know and don’t have to embarrass myself hee hee.
My maiden name is a very uncommon one in Chinese but it unfortunately (fortunately?) sounded and spelled like a very American or too. Guess they got a bigger surprise when they saw me heh…
Author's Website January 25th, 2007
From Joseph Ratliff
Michel,
I heard a teleseminar with Ryan Healy, and he actually pronounced your name correctly.
Although, for the listeners sake…he may have actually butchered it a little
I think for my sake I will stick with Michael, since you don’t mind.
Joseph Ratliff
Author's Website January 25th, 2007
From Michel Fortin
LOL! DJ Dave just sent me this…
playaudio-234.com/play.asp?m=378646&f=UIMMYO&ps=13…
Author's Website January 25th, 2007
From Shawn Catsimanes
Boy, can I relate. Try growing up in America with a name like Shawn when you’re a girl. I get the “You’re not a guy” comments. Or better yet, the long pause when I tell them I’m Shawn. My favorite is when they try to add an “A” to the end of my name. One of these days I’m going to post an article I wrote entitled, I Vote For M. Has to do with getting mail addressed to Mr. Shawn ________.
Author's Website January 25th, 2007
From Caryl Rose
Can relate with my name pronounced CAROL but spelt with a Y.
Michel, I love how you weave personal info with biz in your writing - have been following your blog and learning tons from your entries from here in Cape Town, South Africa. Being multi-faceted myself (writing/healing/marketing) you make a wonderful role model of practical success and open heart.
Author's Website January 26th, 2007
From Michael Fortin
Michel,
I actually found your site when I did a Google search for my own name years ago and then found the content quite interesting so I signed up for your newsletter. I formerly owned michaelfortin.com but lost the rights to the domain because I forgot to renew the subscription. I sometimes wondered how many people ended up there when they were looking for you.
Thought I would say hello.
Michael Fortin
Author's Website January 26th, 2007
From Ravi
Andy,
‘Guy’ is pronounced ‘gee’, to rhyme with ‘me’ - ne c’est pas?!
- Ravi
Author's Website January 26th, 2007
From Janice Sharman
Michel,
This is all very fascinating stuff. Nobody gets my name wrong. My brother at about 3 called me “jshuhis” trying to articulate my name.
Keep on writing Michel, you do it well.
- Janice
Author's Website January 26th, 2007
From Craig Perrine
Love the post… and it finally clears up a few things.
I’ve been calling you ‘bro’ for so long I forgot your real name.
You’re the ‘Michelangelo of Copy’ either way
Craig
Author's Website January 26th, 2007
From Peter Douglas (Pierre) ;)
Haha, some of my French-Canadian friends just showed me that video last week! Le monde est petit!
I’m an ex-Québecer, neither English nor French (allophone), but really, more English. Though, I did go to the Université de Montréal and worked in a fully bilingual environment before moving to Ontario. Ahhh, Montréal me manque!
Most people were OK with saying “Peter” (which isn’t even my real name - I changed it legally so it was easier to spell and pronounce), but sometimes for unilingual Francophones I’d let them call me Pierre!
Author's Website January 26th, 2007
From Benedict Manovill
Hi Michel,
Thanks for the light-hearted blog entry. My own name, Benedict, has become popular now - probably because of the pope. Before that, it was pretty much unheard of. I have always felt close to the name, having spent much of my youth in a Benedictine monastery.
BTW, the names, Sylvie and Michel go well together.
Best regards,
Benedict Manovill
Author's Website January 26th, 2007
From Siriol Jameson
Great photo of you, Michel,
Just thought I would drop in and let you know that I thought the blog was fun. I particularly like your comment!
Siriol Jameson
Author's Website January 26th, 2007
From John Walters
Hi Michel
Names are funny n’est ce pas?
I have two questions. Why is your surname not Pourétain and why, if my first name is John, do people constanly call me Bumface?
Any light you could throw on these mysteries would be appreciated.
Au revoir
John (aka face de bum)
Author's Website January 27th, 2007
From Keith Deveau
Hi Michel,
Being of French Canadian decent myself (Doucetteville, NS), it’s just the normal French spelling. Now you go and say it doesn’t matter. Should I get the chance to meet you one day, I’ll interchange both pronunciations.
The video was cool. My grand mothers used to speak what I call Frenglish. Every third word or so would be french. Thanks for a great post Michel.
Keith
Author's Website January 27th, 2007
From Rose
How do you pronounce Fortin?
ForTIN? or FORtin? or ForTEEN?
Rose
Author's Website January 23rd, 2008
From Michel Fortin
@Rose:
I pronounce it “Four-tin” (”tin” as in “tin can”).
Author's Website January 28th, 2008
From Eddie Cutinho
Hello Michel,
After reading your blog, I just felt that I should share my predicament with you.
26 years back I named my daughter “Anne Michel”, knowing of course that French female name is spelt as “Michelle”. Now my daughter keeps telling me that Michel is a male name. What are your comments?
With regards - Eddie
Author's Website June 23rd, 2008