Like the author in China, I too noticed a similar trend here in Korea, as I have several students who insist upon me calling them by some generic English or vaguely Western name. While I don't think the trend is quite so out of control in the Korean Peninsula as the author suggests things are in China, like him I puzzled about it for a bit.
To my supreme bewilderment at work one day, a co-worker begged me several times to give her an appropriate "English" name. I eventually dubbed her Tiffany. I've other friends, students and acquaintances who go by everything from Tony, Sonny, Carrie, Steve, Ivy, Amy, Jack, etc.
Only fair then, that I should have a Korean name! So I ran across this dumb facebook application that tells you your Korean name. My Korean name is now: Shin Il. I think it suits me quite nicely. Comments?
1 comment:
That was an interesting article. I didn't realize that having English names was so prevalent in China. I guess when I was there, I didn't meet so many business people. I have friends in Canada (who were born in Hong Kong or China) who have English names (Raymond, Kevin, Ivan, Jackie, Joey, Peter, Winnie to name a few). Perhaps another reason I didn't meet many English names in China, is that I didn't meet that many Chinese that spoke English, so it was never much of an issue.
Here in Korea, many teachers choose an english name for their students. I don't force my students to choose one if they don't want to, but let them take one if they want to. I guess if people want to do it, I say let them, but if they don't allow them that choice as well. I'd like to get a Korean name and at one point had a Chinese name as well (can't remember it though). My friends talked about me as white girl, which bothered me, since I use their names when I talk about them (although I guess those are their English names). I guess I should add that their official Canadian documents use their "English" names too.
I should add though that I have some very strange names that I've come across: Golem (had 2 boys arguing over that name), Crazy Grandfather Dinosaur, Brother, Sister (who are in fact brother and sister), Umbrella, Haha, Rin, Irin, Sparta, and probably lots more... When I have encountered these unique names, I give them the option to change them, or not use them, but they never want to.
Enjoy your new name Shin Il ;)
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