Tasi means "sea"; Tasi means "noble"

[asakiyume]

I know the people at the post office; I'm there a lot. Back when Little Springtime first was in Japan (she's back there again--let's have no earthquake-tsunami-nuclear disasters this time, please, Seafather and Lady) I found out that one of the women who works there has a daughter who lives in Japan. That woman--Tasi--is Samoan.

The other day when I was there, I had Timor-Leste on the mind, and seeing Tasi reminded me that in Tetun, tasi means sea--so I told her so. She smiled, and said, "and in my language it means 'noble.' Aliitasi, 'noble one.'"

So Tasi is just a nickname. Aliitasi is the complete name. It sounded so beautiful when she said it--here, I found it online: Aliitasi.

"'Noble one.' So every time someone says your name, they're respecting you," I said.

"Suuure they are," she said, skeptically.

But I think, yes. Even though they don't know it, even if they're acting disrespectful. Noble One. Even here and now, names have power.

Comments

[queenoftheskies.livejournal.com]

What a beautiful name.

[asakiyume.livejournal.com]

Isn't it? I loved hearing her say it.

[stormdog.livejournal.com]

I like the thought that names have meanings in that way very much. Mine, though, expresses the concept of Christ-bearer, one who carries Christ with him. While I think Jesus was probably a pretty down-to-earth, hippy kind of guy who I might get along with, I'm not a follower of any of the religions that exist in his name, so it's something of a misnomer for me.

[asakiyume.livejournal.com]

In your case, maybe it can mean that you bear some of the ideals that Christ championed (i.e., without having to mean that you are follower).

[mnfaure.livejournal.com]

That is a lovely name, and I wouldn't have thought of adding the "extra" sound like on the pronunciation page.

[asakiyume.livejournal.com]

When she said it, it was like this **bloom** of beautiful, different sound. And I thought, how am I going to remember this, these exact sounds? But I was lucky, because it turned up when I searched--I heard it and thought, yes! This is what she said! And then, to be sure I wasn't fooling myself, I searched on the meaning, and was able to confirm that yeah, alii (ali'i) is a word that denotes high rank in Polynesian languages.

[littlemoremasks.livejournal.com]

This story reminds me of the time I worked with a Man from Ghana. I can't reallyt be sure of what his name, at least so far as I would understand a name, was. He told everyone to call him "Nana". Think Batman, not Grandma.

Well, as it turns out, one day I called him Mr. Nana. I was being kind of sarcastic, he was getting on my nerves. He told me that I didn't have to call him Mr. because I was already calling him "Nana". I can't remember what the equivalent term he gave me in English to describe it was, something like "Lord" or "Prince".

I called him "Mister M - i - S - T - E - R Mister" a lot after that. And yes, I am a stinker.

[asakiyume.livejournal.com]

Ha!

[khiemtran.livejournal.com]

Even here and now, names have power.
True indeed, and even more interesting when the same name means different things in different languages. Are you always going to think of the sea whenever you see her now?

[asakiyume.livejournal.com]

Yes, the noble sea.

[pinkroo.livejournal.com]

I love this. It made me feel good to read it.

[asakiyume.livejournal.com]

It was a great moment. I've never heard anyone speak Samoan before.

[barry-king.livejournal.com]

I have a friend with the first name "Aristides", which also means "noble one", or so he tells me.

[asakiyume.livejournal.com]

In Greek, I presume? Sounds right--aristo, and all that.

[bogwitch64.livejournal.com]

Names do have power. Words. They are magical.

I was thinking about this last holiday season, the power behind words that few truly grasp. I read yet another rant by yet another person (a preacher, this time) about keeping Christ in Christmas.

Well, you know, I get it. I do. I might not be one of the faithful, but I do believe people should have respect for their own, and for others' beliefs. But the thing is, those who DO keep Christ in Christmas don't need to be told to, and those who don't?

What few seem to realize is that, faithful or not, there is no AVOIDING keepin Christ in Christmas. Whether is the name of the holiday itself, or just the season in general. I don't care if someone says "Happy Holidays" rather than "Merry Christmas!" It's there, one way or another. The season IS keeping Christ in Christmas. People are kinder, more generous, generally happier during that time of year. The power of that is immense.

So instead of saying, "Keep Christ in Christmas!" just let it be. It's there. The sentiment, the power, and the real meaning--it's inescapable.

[asakiyume.livejournal.com]

absolutely--I'm with you 100 percent.

[sartorias.livejournal.com]

I agree. May this visit be lovely and uneventful!

[asakiyume.livejournal.com]

*so far, so good*

[browngirl.livejournal.com]

Over a week later I found this beautiful post in my tabs and realized I'd never replied.

I so love how you see, and write about, the world and the people in it. *beams at you*

[asakiyume.livejournal.com]

I know what you mean about things in tabs--and what happens to me is then I accidentally close the whole window, and then -_-

These days I feel so ordinary and un-special… I'm touched and humbled to hear these kind words, and so warmed by the love. ((hugs you))