While I accept the reasoning of forcing people to revert to their original names as entered in the births’ public register, I find it difficult to see how people like me are paying a penalty for something that was done by civil servants over the years.

I never realised that my name had been registered in Italian. In fact during my 61 years on this earth I was always called John by my whole family. Birth certificates issued by the public registry showed me to be John, as did my identity card, my old age pensioner card, my income tax demands as well as any other official communications from government and non-government departments.

But when I needed to change my passport and obtain an electronic ID, I was shocked and horrified to be told at Evans Building that my name has now got to become Giovanni.

Have I been living with an assumed name all these years? The way this whole thing has been tackled is causing thousands of people unnecessary stress. While at the Passport Office I came across very elderly people in tears after being made to feel unreal.

The government should have taken steps to publicise properly the reasons for this measure and also to ease the hardship being caused. I receive a pension from the UK and am registered on my NI card as John, so if I need proof of my identity I am going to have problems.

Is this translation problem unique to Malta?

I am sure I am not in a minority in demanding that the department that in its infinite wisdom decided to bring this into force, at the very least provide some official written document which can be produced abroad if the need arises. When I questioned staff at the public registry I was advised to go to a lawyer and swear an affidavit that Giovanni is the same as John. Thanks a lot, I thought: surely this issue can be resolved without the public being further put out. Maybe the staff who are entrusted to issue birth certificates could have some compassion for the individuals suffering the trauma of having to purchase new certificates rather than telling them, and I quote, “We just cannot have people changing their names at a whim”. Charming this when it was the department itself that decided to make the translations over the years.

One has to presume that my baptism certificate has also been rendered useless, as it mentions a John and not Giovanni. I wonder if this problem is unique to little Malta.