Giving Chinese people English names and vv
Sep 15, 2020, 2:35 pm
#61
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When I was at the Defense Language Institute, every student was assigned a name in their target language, usually by their primary instructor. Since my target language was Korean, I have a Korean name. When we started on Hanja, I learned the characters for it:
Min (sounds the same in either Korean or Mandarin) isn't a super common name in Korea, and I think the instructor chose it because it begins with the same letter as my last name. The other characters are pronounced slightly differently, but close enough (when I've been in doubt in China I think of the Korean word and it is usually close enough that someone can figure out what I mean).
閔 到 瑛
Min (sounds the same in either Korean or Mandarin) isn't a super common name in Korea, and I think the instructor chose it because it begins with the same letter as my last name. The other characters are pronounced slightly differently, but close enough (when I've been in doubt in China I think of the Korean word and it is usually close enough that someone can figure out what I mean).
Sep 15, 2020, 11:00 pm
#62
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I know an engineer named Burden, which seems fitting because he’s under much pressure. It’s not the kind of name you’d find on a name website.
Sep 15, 2020, 11:25 pm
#63
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It's my understanding most Chinese (and people from other Asian countries) people actually give themselves English name, not by others, no? I know that in my gf's case, she gave herself her own English name, as well as named both of her parents. Coincidentally (not), all three names start with the same letter because it was her favourite one when she was little and chose names lol.
Sep 15, 2020, 11:35 pm
#64
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When a language teacher gives someone a name, it's just for that classroom and isn't legally binding. The student could pick a better name at any time, as long as the given name hasn't been used beyond the school (and ideally not on any official school documents sent to others, such as transcripts/diplomas/degrees).
However, at least in the USA, once a name is used on legal and financial documents, or once someone is broadly known by a name, it can be harder to change it.
However, at least in the USA, once a name is used on legal and financial documents, or once someone is broadly known by a name, it can be harder to change it.
Sep 16, 2020, 8:51 am
#65
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Through a friend I have heard a story of a guy with the surname Hung. He had picked the name Johnson. One night after some drinking, they told him the English meaning of the combined names. He wore those names proudly after that.
I’ve had the same experience with the “old lady” names. Rose, Grace, Violet. One young woman I know was Betty until she was told it was a “grandma name” - she then changed to Lotus, which I think is great.
I know an engineer named Burden, which seems fitting because he’s under much pressure. It’s not the kind of name you’d find on a name website.
I’ve had the same experience with the “old lady” names. Rose, Grace, Violet. One young woman I know was Betty until she was told it was a “grandma name” - she then changed to Lotus, which I think is great.
I know an engineer named Burden, which seems fitting because he’s under much pressure. It’s not the kind of name you’d find on a name website.
Sep 19, 2020, 9:53 pm
#69
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