Why are Chinese names spelled wrong?
The spelling of my name or any mainland Chinese’ name is based on a system called Pinyin , it is the official romanization of Chinese in the mainland, it’s used on passports for example, but it is not based on English pronunciation or any European language pronunciation, so when you try to pronounce it using English …
Why did ancient Chinese have two names?
Traditionally, Chinese given names are structured by a two-character pattern. The first part is the generation name that is shared by all members of a generation, and the last character is given to the individual person. The reason Chinese people write their surname first is to show respect to the ancestors.
What do Chinese people think of American names?
In fact, there are probably as many Chinese who can read this sentence as Americans. In the United States, people tend to view names and identities as absolute things—which explains why I agonized over deciding on an English name—but in China, identities are more amorphous.
Why do Chinese people have 3 last names?
It’s a long-established tradition. Until the mid-1900s in China, a person usually had three names besides his or her surname: ming, zi and hao. Ming is the name given by parents; Zi is the name granted to a person at the beginning of adulthood – men usually at the age of 20 and women at 15.
What is the issue with Chinese names and English names?
The main, overarching issue is that Chinese people are taking their own Chinese naming practices and using them to choose an English name. Here are some naming practices unique to Chinese and how they might affect English name choice. A Chinese given name can also be any word or character.
Is taking an English name kowtowing to China?
But Duthie’s participants insisted that taking an English name isn’t kowtowing, nor is it simply utilitarian. Rather, it’s essential to being Chinese and achieving Chinese goals. Whereas in the past patriotism was expressed by self-sacrifice, it is now expressed through economic activity.