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Icelandic Girl Fights for Right to Her Own Name (1240L)

Notes on my thoughts,

Given names are even more significant in tiny Iceland that in many other

reactions and questions as I

countries: Everyone is listed in the phone book by their first names. Surnames

read:

are based on a parent's given name. Even the president, Olafur Ragnar Grimsson,

is addressed simply as Olafur. Blaer is identified as "Stulka" — or "girl" — on

all her official documents, which has led to years of frustration as she has had to

explain the whole story at the bank, renewing her passport and dealing with the

country's bureaucracy. Her mother is hoping that will change with her suit, the

first time someone has challenged a names committee decision in court.

Though the law has become more relaxed in recent years — with the name Elvis

permitted, inspired by the charismatic rock and roll icon whose name fits

Icelandic guidelines — choices like Cara, Carolina, Cesil, and Christa have been

rejected outright because the letter "c'' is not part of Iceland's 32-letter alphabet.

"The law is pretty straightforward, so in many cases it's clearly going to be a yes

or a no," said Agusta Thorbergsdottir, the head of the committee, a panel of three

people appointed by the government to a four-year term.

Other cases are more subjective. "What one person finds beautiful, another

person may find ugly," she acknowledged. She pointed to "Satania" as one

unacceptable case because it was deemed too close to "Satan." The board also

has veto power over people who want to change their names later in life,

rejecting, for instance, middle names like Zeppelin and X. When the artist Birgir

Orn Thoroddsen applied to have his name legally changed to Curver, which he

had used in one form or another since age 15, he said he knew full well the

committee would reject his application. "I was inspired by Prince who changed

his name to The Artist Formerly Known As Prince and Puff Daddy who changed

his to P. Diddy and then Diddy with seemingly little thought or criticism," he

said. "I applied to the committee, but of course I got the 'No' that I expected."

On his thirtieth birthday, he bought a full-page advertisement that read, "From

February 1, 2006, I hereby change my name to Curver Thoroddsen. I ask the

nation, my friends and colleagues to respect my decision." "I can understand a

clause to protect children from being named something like 'Dog poo,' but it is

strange that an adult cannot change his name to what he truly wants," he said.

Thoroddsen is keeping his protest to the media. But Eidsdottir says she is

prepared to take her case all the way to the country's Supreme Court if a court

doesn't overturn the commission decision on Jan. 25.

"So many strange names have been allowed, which makes this even more

frustrating because Blaer is a perfectly Icelandic name," Eidsdottir said. "It

seems like a basic human right to be able to name your child what you want,

especially if it doesn't harm your child in any way. And my daughter loves her

name," she added.

Andersen, A. Icelandic Girl Fights for Right to Her Own Name. Associated Press. January 3, 2013.

Icelandic Girl Fights For Right To Her Own Name (1240l) - Middle School Reading Article Worksheet Page 2

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