Searching for Roots: Nicolás Guillén’s " El Apellido " (My Last Name) Nicolás Guillén

In some English records from the 19th century, Spanish surnames were occasionally anglicized, though "Guillen" has mostly retained its form due to its distinct phonetic structure. Key Takeaways for Translators

Guillén knows his Spanish surname (given to his ancestors by colonizers), but he does not know his true African surname. This absence becomes a symbol of cultural genocide.

Highlighting the struggles of the poor and the marginalized.