What I found interesting about the Chinese culture is that most Chinese citizens choose to go by an American name or at least have an American name ready on standby. My autobiography correspondent started off her paper to me by saying
"My name is Liu Di. And I also have an English name-Taylor."
Liu Di, or Taylor, claims that the Chinese choose an English name to make communication with non-Chinese people much easier, considering many non-Chinese speaking people find the names very hard to pronounce. In some families, names- both English and Chinese- are given to the child at birth. In other case's, like Taylor's, the person chooses the name of someone they admire, a similar name or simply a name they are fond of. http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/opinion/2014-10/29/content_18806030_4.htm
Other Chinese citizens seem to despise the fact that they choose English names. A blogger on one forum said:
"Choosing English names can be dated back to when Overseas Chinese were enslaved by English man and had no choice but to adopt Western names. We are the Jews of Asia, persecuted because of our race, envied and despised because of our successes despite the obstacles laid against us."
In my opinion, I don't think it is a big deal for Chinese to have Western names. What do you think? Should English people have Chinese names for 'ease of communication?' Why not? I could get used to going by the name 克洛伊. I don't think that this shows a sign of inferiority to translate your name, it is just for the soul purpose of simplicity. It doesn't seem to bother Taylor, and considering all of her friends go by their English names as well, I don't think it is a discrimination against the Chinese. It is their choice after all, whether or not to pick an American name.
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Sources:
"Why Do Chinese Choose 'weird' English Names?" [4]- Chinadaily.com.cn. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Nov. 2014.
Autobiography Correspondent: Liu Di
interesting. I was actually wondering about that when I looked at the letter I received
ReplyDeleteThis is super interesting! I can understand why some people don't like it. It's true that they don't have to pick one, but they feel as though they do. And especially since it originates from when Chinese people were slaves, it makes sense why it rubs some homies the wrong way.
ReplyDeleteI was thinking about this too. I think they should have Western names but we shouldn't have Chinese names. I don't know why, that's just what I think.
ReplyDeletewell you're racist
DeleteI feel like you should capitalize the W in well.
DeleteI wish we could choose our own names, I would choose chloe. Wink.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't want a Chinese name. They look to hard to type/write out.
ReplyDeleteI wonder why we don't have different names as well?
ReplyDeleteI think it's interesting that they get to choose their own English name. To me, it seems like getting to choose your own nickname.
ReplyDeleteWow I never knew about this!
ReplyDeleteI think that it makes life a lot easier for them in some cases.
ReplyDelete