Alastair Sorbet, or was it Sadway?

Those who look at such things as HOW new people find our site are well versed in the many ways to spell my name.

Research could throw up no surprises for me, though; my own travels remind me how often people get it wrong. 'Sawday' is almost unpronounceable to the French, but who could fail to be charmed by the welcome "Bonjour, Monsieur Sorbet!"

Names can be gently twisted out of shape when it is an alien sound. The French tend to get the second 'a' in Alastair right. The spelling is more of a problem in Britain and I become Alistair, Alister, Alasdair. But they all come from the same root: Alexander – which means 'mighty warrior and leader of men' (even if our office is more of a base for Amazons). 

In Spain I am too difficult to pronounce, so I often simply introduce myself as 'Alejandro' ; in Italy I adopt 'Alessandro'. Those words do make me feel more robust, more of a warrior. As for 'Sawday', it has alien sounds in both languages.

Hey – what must it be like for them to come to the UK with names like 'Ortiz de Caixana' or 'Ruggero Canavacciuolo'? I know that we British have a unique ability to mangle 'foreign' names; when talking to our owners we sometimes have to simply give it our best stab (and if we have been getting your name wrong for years, do let us know!).

I have also been known as Monsieur Sadway – rather charming when delivered with grace and a strong accent. But it makes me wonder how cheerful I really am. When I am translated as 'Sorbet', the experience is at least exotic and tasty.