Job Discussion Forums

[space]

I've been working on a Japanese version of my resume, and it occured to me to figure out some kanji for my name. I'll stick to romanization in this post, ask me if you want to see kanji or katakana.

My name: <edited out cuz of google >

First name is easy, in Japanese class I went by te-i-ra in katakana, but now I am going to use tai-ra, the kanji for tai that I will use means naturalized gaijin (was used in manchu dynasty) and the kanji for ra means good, pleasing, skilled.

Now... My last name is the problem. Dutch name; my grandfather is from Holland.
Traditionally, I have spelled it as be-ru-to-ro-ppu.
I have no idea where to begin looking for Name classified kanji that will remotely sound like this. In theory it should be easy to know how to force Dutch words into Japanese, given their history together...

Can anyone think of a different way to romanize my last name that could lead to less than 5 kanji for it? My mind is of course open to shortening the name somehow or changing the way it sounds. I have yet been unable to come up with any multi-syllable kanji to fit in my name anywhere.

[Glenski]

Don't waste your time and energy trying to create a name in kanji for yourself. At most, use katakana and let it go at that. Making up a kanji name is in bad taste, is fraudulent, and will only confuse the hell out of a prospective employer.

[Gordon]

Creating a kanji name for yourself would be like going to Scotland and making up your flag for you and your family.

"Aye, look at the McYamaguchi lad with his coat of arms of onigiri and coi."

[lajzar]

If you put kanji for your name, in your cv, unless you are from an east asian country that habitually uses kanji, your cv will be filed right next to the anime freaks' cvs.

Katakana is fine.

[space]

Ok, will stick with Katakana.

Glenski: Fraudulant? Confusing?

All of my returned friends that spent some time in Japan use kanji for their name over katakana, perhaps this is unique. I don't see what would be confusing. If one sees name kanji together in a location likely to be a name, it is read as a name. An illiterate person will most likely not be reading my resume, considering the fields I am applying for.

Did you actually mean that using kanji for my name would be too culturally shocking to a Japanese person? And that many would consider it fraudulant and pretend to be confused? That would much more accurately describe my experience in Japan. This is how I considered your post, and in regard to prejudice, it seems best to stick with katakana to display my gaijin heritage honestly.

[moot point]

It's actually against the law to self-adopt your own kanji.

Some mates of mine once made a hanko for me using kanji. It was a nice gift but couldn't be used officially.

If you think of your cv as being an official document, then it would be best to take the above-mentioned advice and stick with the katakana.

[Glenski]

[wintersweet]

After spending time in Taiwan, where people are thrilled if you've adopted a Chinese (all character) name, and where they're eager to discuss its appropriateness/naturalness with you, I have to admit I find the Japanese attitude strange.

[fluffyhamster]

You have to remember that Chinese doesn't have anything other than Chinese characters (hanzi/kanji) for transliteration purposes. Sure, there are things like Bo po mo fo and Pinyin, but these are more ancillary systems for attaining literacy or helping foreigners than parts of the full, standard Chinese orthography.

Of course, you could still say that it is strange that the Japanese write anything that is remotely foreign only using one of their three interweaving scripts, but that is actually a boon to a learner in ways that Chinese isn't (you can be unaware at first glance that there are western names or loanwords in a text, especially if you aren't familiar with how the name or loan is transcribed).

Actually, although I lived in China for two years I wasn't really aware of (can't remember, at least) how officialdom viewed those westerners with (cod) Chinese names. I suspect the practice is tolerated (and an interesting topic for discussions) just so long as the mad westerner actually has (and when making any official applications also submits) a western name too (written as it usually is in the west i.e. as in the passport).

The only "interesting" thing to consider now is why the Japanese "insist" on giving us names in katakana - obviously they just want a reasonably good guide to the approximate pronunciation when they are dealing with and addressing us. This makes for a better system than constantly struggling with romanized names, or thinking they might be dealing with a Chinese or Korean person (whilst having even less idea of how to pronounce the name). All in all, I think it is a good idea (eminently practical, useful and helpful for all concerned) for them to take the approach they do, and it is ultimately a bit academic whether you view it as "inclusive" or "exclusive", too fussy and an*l, not showing a healthy respect for the Trekkies' interests etc.

[PAULH]

[canuck]

Space, thanks for the good laugh. The others hit the nail on the head.

[Mtnkiwi]

[quote="Glenski"][quote]Glenski: Fraudulant? Confusing? [/quote]
Yes, fradulent. You are not a Japanese person, nor are you a naturalized Japanese person (which requires that you have a name written in kanji). Therefore, you are essentially making up a false name. Fraud. Immigration will look dimly upon that, if anyone, because your name must match the passport.

Yes, confusing. I really don't see how you can misunderstand this one. Your name is NOT Japanese. Why try to create one that "sounds like it" or perhaps "looks like it" simply because you use some esoteric rules of your own, whether for pronunciation or etymology. Unless you are of Japanese blood or are a naturalized citizen, any reviewer will look at such a creation as very odd. (end quote)

Despite the fact that naming yourself 'mugen' is quite cool, it isn't really something you would want to mention to prospective employers (unless they are the Honda racing development team or sim).

But, Korean permanent residents in Japan DO have Kanji names (and Hanko etc) despite being neither of "Japanese blood" or naturalised citizens. These Japanese names do not appear in their passports (which are those of Korean citizens). So it seems that it might not be strictly illegal to give yourself a name in Kanji (I suppose you might have to register this name at the City council or similar).

Go ahead and make up your name, get a Hanko, register your name (if you want to go that far), and use the Hanko when the mailman delivers. Hell, I use my Korean wife's Japanese name stamp when I receive my important documents from NZ etc.

btw, wasn't "Taira" one of the characters in the novel "Gaijin"?!

[madeira]

I use a kanji hanko for all my bank accounts. (The account holder name is katakana, though.)

[lajzar]

For citizens of countries that traditionally use kanji (ie China, Taiwan, and Korea, and yes I know some of those no longer use kanji), kanji names are routinely accepted for official purposes. Hence those Koreans living in Japan can use kanji names.

I doubt the OP falls into this category.

[guest of Japan]

I have a kanji hanko. It is phonetically similar to my first name. I needed a hanko to open my most recent bank account. Once it's registered with a bank it is OK to use for other purposes such as getting a gym membership. A hanko doesn't necessarily have to be your name. It is a seal you use to represent yourself. If it is registered through a bank it acts as your signiture. Of course it would not be acceptable in any situation in which you need a signature to match your passport.

By the way, taking the name of a legendary warlord is in bad taste. The Japanese would be very insulted. Would you hire a Japanese man who called himself Caesar?