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Why I Don't Have an English Name I really like the discussion here. There're so many entries! As bigbro pointed out, the pinyin itself can't really tell you what's going on. Besides there're quite a no. of existing pinyin systems being used. The pinyin system used in HK is different from the one in China, not to mention other places with Chinese people. Your name is given by your parents (most of the case). Of course there's special value assigned. But a name is also used for identification. Why don't we allow others to call us first, then tell them the little story behind our names? |
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Why I Don't Have an English Name The discussion is getting more and more fun. I guess it's sth about 'high language' and 'low language'. I don't know the case in other places so I will use HK as an example. HK had been British colony for 99 years. English is definitely the 'high language' for education and business purposes. Cantonese becomes the 'low language' which are used for daily life. Well at first, maybe people thought an English name meant prestige. But I am sure nowadays, it's just for the sake of convenience. Funny enough, my primary and secondary school classmates call my Chinese name while my university friends and colleagues call my English name. Guess it's an interesting topic huh! For those knowledge thirsty, you may go and search for 'bilingualism', 'code-switching', 'langua franca' on the net. P.S. Nirmalya is a HE, not a SHE! :P |
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Why I Don't Have an English Name Well I have never thought of the legal responsibility before Jian Shuo mentioned it. I am not sure the practice in China but in HK, we put the english name with the complete name (e.g Chan Tai Man, David). So I guess it's clear enough to declare who you are. Some of my friends who are Catholics/ Christians actually put the names on ID too. Well I must say that they spend a little bit longer time to fill up forms and applications...... Well I don't really think that using an english name means you don't respect your culture. The essence of Chinese culture is compatibility. Using an english name, to me, is just another code that I will response. An english name doesn't turn you into gweilo/gweipor. This little trick can't fawn a foreigner, not even a Chinese. |