I’m currently writing my Common Application essay on my Vietnamese name and elaborate on how it is a part of me that shows my pride as a Vietnamese-American. All throughout the essay, I have thrown in Vietnamese words with context that I believe gives a little more “pizzaz…” but I’m not sure if it is “okay.”
Here is an example:
“Nguyễn, a forever mispronounced name, carries my pride as a Vietnamese-American. It holds the memories of all the Lunar New Years that were celebrated at Tết markets. It reminds me of the variety of the traditional dress, áo dài, that I have worn all throughout my life, and the colorful variety of the traditional foods that I have eaten.”
Should I keep it like this, or remove the Vietnamese words? (I have them italicized on the actual draft.)