I don't think I've ever heard "forename." First name or given name. I was asked my "Christian name" on a form in Germany once.
We used to use "Christian name" in the UK until the political correctness police found out and it was deemed inappropriate and offensive to other religions, so we went over to "forename" (on official forms) and "first name" in normal speech.
That's how it should be. I am not a Christian and I don't have a "Christian name".
As a baby, I was baptised with my name by a minister of the Church of Scotland. That's what made it my Christian Name, and it always will be.
I agree with the logic but I have never met anyone of any religion who actually found the term "offensive". That is a word which is bandied around far too much these days when all that is meant is "they don't like it". As an atheist, I agree that I don't consider my first name to be my Christian name, but I'm not offended or affronted by the term.
Good Point. I wasn't sure where to split this thread, so I merely copied the 'Christian name' posts and started a new thread here:Christian names and political correctness If any of ypu wish to continue this line, that will be the place. Can we please stick to 'cousins' in this thread? ThanksWe seem to be straying from the point... I'm happy to move a thread on "Christian names" or "political correctness" to the Discussion forum, though
You know why I asked the question? Because the word Cousins is used in my book in a way that I thought it's a male name.Perhaps sb70012 will let us know if he/she has actually encountered anybody whose first name is 'Cousins'.
If not, what prompted the original question?
You know why I asked the question? Because the word Cousins is used in my book in a way that I thought it's a male name.
Look at the exercise:
Direct = Cousins’s doctor said, “We’ve tried everything possible to cure his illness.”
Indirect = Cousins’s doctor said that they had tried everything possible to cure his illness.
Direct = Cousins thought, “I’ve been cured.”
Indirect = Cousins thought that he had been cured.
Direct = Cousins said, “Don’t lose hope when a doctor says survival is impossible.”
Indirect = Cousins said not to lose hope when a doctor says survival is impossible.