China vs. US: Names (1)

2004-07-29 shamu 已有 12 条评论

I’ve always wondered about the difference in sequence between Chinese (Eastern) and American (Western) names–in a Chinese name, family name goes first, followed by given name. In an American name, it’s the reverse. My Chinese name has two characters, one for family and the other for given. When I came to the US, I went with American custom and reversed it–every Chinese in America does except Yao Ming. But because between friends, when we write email we often go with the Chinese sequence, there came the confusion for my Chinese friends. They were often not sure as to which is which as it’s hard to tell just by counting the syllables.
Maybe I should be like Yao Ming and say “to hell with it” and keep my name in its original sequence?
I’m not sure, but one thing I AM sure of is not to have an American name. I hate altering my name just for others’ convenience, as any American would agree. Maybe this is a sign that I’m *Americanized*? After all, there are already too many Johns, Brians, and Davids. Just tonight, I found it funny to hear the democratic presidential candidate call his running mate the same as himself.
Chinese names are actually not that bad compared to, say, Indian names. Once you master the Xs and the Qs, you are in good shape. I have an X in my name. Before, I don’t even bother to explain to telemarketers or call center reps how to pronounce it right. Now one out of three can pronounce near perfection. See, Americans are smart and they learn, especially if it’s part of the job. We just have to trust them.

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作者 Wendy 于大约 20 年前发表.

When I didn’t have an English name, sometimes foreigners asked which one I prefer to be called, family name, given name or full name? I often said that I didn’t mind. But actually I like those people who call me full name. Because I think they really respect Chinese custom. But finally I have an English name. I know I also need to consider others convenience. : ）
作者 Shamu 于大约 20 年前发表.

We Chinese are sometimes so considerate, as to alter our name for foreigners’ convenience, even in our own country. If you do go with a different English name, make sure to get a unique one, like Madonna. Hehe…
作者 Wendy 于大约 20 年前发表.

Haha, I guess my English name should be popular one, but maybe not in US. At that time what I really care was not to pick an out of date one. So I did some consultation. : ) Not Daisy, not Margaret, not Joy, all of them are grandmother’s name.
Some western people also have Chinese name, if especially if they are going to stay in China for a long time. But I find most of Chinese don’t like to call them Chinese name.
作者 JFS 于大约 20 年前发表.

You guys are funny, I enjoy this blog very much. Wendy, my daughter tells me the same thing, we named her Margaret and she thinks it is a grandma’s name too, but I hear it is now coming into fashion. I have a Chinese name (and it is very Chinese, if you saw the name only you would assume I was Chinese). One time I was in Shanghai visiting a supplier. I gave them my business card and they noticed the Chinese name and chatted about it for a while. A couple days later they (one was Chinese and the other was a foreigner) were in the city I was at and decided to visit me (unannounced). They went upto the counter and asked the receptionist for me, using my English name. She looked at them and told them that no one by that name works here. They were puzzled and started to leave, when the Chinese individual remembered my Chinese name and turned around and asked the receptionist if I, using my Chinese name, worked there. She said why didn’t you say so before; yes, his office is such and such a place. They couldn’t wait to tell me that. The only other story I have about names is one time I was chatting with a colleague and she was telling me about an individual who used to work for the company. She kept calling him he (rhyming with see). I asked if that was his English name, because it was a very strange name. She said no, but in pinyin it is written he, but as you know pronounced he, rhyming with ge. But all the Americans who worked there kept calling him he (rhyming with see) and so the Chinese just started calling him he (rhyming with see) as it was more convenient.
作者 Shamu 于大约 20 年前发表.

JFS:
Nice story. But I still think it’s fundamentally different for a Chinese to get a western name than a westerner to get a Chinese name. For us Chinese especially overseas, there is little or no cool factor in getting a western name, unlike the other way. You can tell by the westerner’s excitement when ehe/she gets a Chinese name, usually given by whoever has an interest. For us, it’s purely for convenience.
作者托的于大约 20 年前发表.

As an American, I can never understand why Chinese use Western names. Well, i’m exaggerating — I understand that it is for the sake of convenience. But I never call my Chinese friends by their Western names. I think most Americans wouldn’t change their names just for the convenience of someone else. Most Americans probably would think: “If you can’t pronounce my name, that is your problem (you idiot).”
I have a Chinese name – but I think Shamu is right. It is mainly for “fun.” The funny thing is that some of my Chinese friends use my Chinese girlfriend’s Western name — I never have. And a few times, when people have used my girlfriend’s Western name, I had no idea who they were talking about.
作者 Wendy 于大约 20 年前发表.

Shamu,
I guess because you are in America, you are more sensitive than me about Chinese name.
I read a love story between a Taiwan girl and an American boy. She is a University student from Taiwan. Before she fall in love with that boy, she just an ordinary student and wore what ordinary student wore. But after she dated that boy, she became sensitive about her appearance. She started to ware Qipao instead of jeans, even it’s not very convenience, and clothe Shoes instead of high heel shoes, even she’s much short than him. In fact she became sensitive about her nationality.
I also studied in a foreign country before. And for about three forth time I didn’t have an English name, maybe the same reason as you. If someone asked, I just said English name is not legal name, and it might cause some confusion. Later I got a job, so I had an English name. But I only used it in the office, and all of my friends didn’t know it.
作者 Shamu 于大约 20 年前发表.

Wendy, no offense but for some reason in my mind the name Wendy is always asssociated with a professional, powerful woman. Maybe it’s because Wendy Deng(scroll down to find her picture) (I can’t believe they list her in the alum page) is the first Wendy that comes to mind.
Hope you don’t mind. I know I shouldn’t have associate any single person to a first name. Maybe you will prove to be an exception.
作者 JFS 于大约 20 年前发表.

I think we may be over generalizing a wee bit. I have had my Chinese name for over 40 years. It was given to me by a dear friend sho spent some time and care selecting the name. I treasure the name as a gift from that friend, a gift that has lasted much longer than any material gift. At that same time I also had a middle aged Chinese friend who had just received a Western name from friends of his. He told me what the name signified and why his friend gave him that name, he cherished that name also as a gift. Recently a friend of mine in Shanghai asked me to give his new born son an English name. I do not wish to sound over sentimental, but I have believe a new name as a gift from a friend more endearing and valuable than baubbles and such. From a practical standpoint, here in China I work with a lot of people who do not know English. I suppose they could write my name out in pinyin, but it is much more convenient if they use Chinese characters and much easier for them to remember. We can be a wee bit cynical, but for myself, I relish the new name, the attempt to merge slightly into the new culture. The one people whom I have noticed very seldom taken a new name are the Japanese. I suspect that may result from the fact that for them a new name implies adoption into a new family.
作者 Wendy 于大约 20 年前发表.

Shamu,
Wendy Deng？! My God, I didn’t realize that. Yes, I know some stories about her. But when I mention that name, it’s another one. She is an intelligent and pretty lady, and teaches me a lot. Actually she is a mentor for me, and I respect her very much.
JFS,
Agree with you, a new foreign name can be an attempt to merge slightly into the new culture.
I find that Korean also don’t like take English name, they even feel strange why so many Hong Kong people have English name. Actually one Hong Kong friend told me when some Hong Kong parents think about a name for their new born baby, they usually try to find some words whose pronunciation are similar with English name.
作者 Shamu 于大约 20 年前发表.

jfs:
Living in America, the whole issue of “do I want to become one of them” or “do I want to hold on to my own” is always a dilemma for me. As diversified as America is, there is a fixed, and large, set of social norms that people from other cultures are supposed to abide by. Where the line is always befuddles me, and I’m sure puzzles every Chinese when they first come to the US.
作者 JFS 于大约 20 年前发表.

Those are interesting comments from Wendy and Shamu. In China being Chinese also means you are Han and vice versa. Also politically there are restrictions on being Chinese. I do not think that an Arnold will be governor of a Province soon. So here one will always be an outsider, perhaps not to the extent as one will be an outsider in Japan because the Chinese are a lot more inclusive than the Japanese, but still not that inclusive. So no matter how much culturized we become, we are still ourselves, that is not to be mistaken as a Han Chinese. I do not know whether that is true or not, but it is an interesting thought.

shamu

China vs. US: Names (1)

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