El Apellido Nicolas Guillen English Translation |top| -

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?

Transculturation in the Poetry of Nicolás Guillén - ucf stars el apellido nicolas guillen english translation

"Ever since the school-house, / I have been told my name: / a surname, a label / to tell me from the next man..." Surname

movement, which sought to integrate African themes and rhythms into Cuban literature. The "Son" Rhythm: Ask the iron collar, the branding iron, the

Translations of "El Apellido" can be found in various bilingual editions of Guillén's work. A highly regarded English version appears in the collection , translated by Robert Márquez and David Arthur McMurray.

Guillén's breakthrough came with the publication of his first book, "Motivos de son" (1930), which introduced his unique style of "mulato" poetry. This genre blended African rhythms and themes with traditional Cuban poetry, creating a distinctive voice that explored the experiences of Afro-Cubans. Guillén's work was not only a reflection of his own heritage but also a commentary on the social and economic inequalities faced by marginalized communities.