Job Discussion Forums

[Roger]

Names are an integral part of culture and they should be dealt with accordingly; I have always thought that the English names our students have were given them somewhat thoughtlessly. Some students choose them for themselves, and you get weird or even adversarial statements as in the case of a student calling himself "Bomb" (he might even vary it to become "Sexbomb").

My students are not forced to adopt an English name, nor do I push them although keeping their attendance lists in order is quite a challenge when their names are simply romanised.

I take some pain in explaining to them the importance of introducing themselves using their full name. Just why some think they can sign off their essays using their single foreign moniker such as 'tomato' (with a lower-case 't') is beyond me. Thus I feel condemned to drilling with them the writing of their tripartite name: "My name is Deng. Linda Deng Xiong..."

[tofuman]

Linda...Linda Deng Xiong....Can you describe her?

[Talkdoc]

[Long ai gu]

I quite enjoy hearing the bizzare English names that the Chinese pick. I don't feel at all uncomfortable knowing someone named Christ or Hell. Recently a student told me her name was Money. I said "is it because you like money". She said "no, it's so you will remember my name" and it worked, I remember her name quite easily. I forget the Lisas and Jacks and Nancys. Yes, our English names most times mean nothing, why should theirs? Why should they choose some boring name like John or David that comes from the bible. Have some humour about you folks, the Chinese love humour. When you refer to the Chinese as being something (racist, non-thinkers etc.) it is nothing more than your own racism coming to the surface. Are all westerners alike? All Chinese are not alike also. I have had Chinese friends that speak the same thoughts as anybody else that I have met in the west. We are all the same in this world, there's just a different stage and setting and role and China's is much different than most of the countries we come from. Like my brother who taught here in the 90's told me before I came to China:"It's not good, it's not bad, it's just different". So before we make that big judgement call on the Chinese, let's try a little understanding first. Walk a mile in their shoes..

[marblez]

Yes, I think someof the names chosen by Chinese students are hilarious, as well as adults in workplace situations.

I once worked with a Jennifer (Zhen - good name to work with!), but I have also tutored a Ssuny (not in error - attempt at Sunny), and a Samantha (who could not pronounce her own English name).

Although I have not tutored Ssuny for almost 6 years, I will never forget his name!