Why do Hong Kong people have weird English names?

“It started as an inadequate knowledge of English, but if you see an unusual name today, it’s because [Hong Kongers] are taking charge of their own language, not because their language abilities are not good,” Matthews said. “People feel they can do what they want with English.

Why do Americans have English names?

The reason Americans use English names is that although the US is a foreign country, it has adopted its own version of the English language for historical reasons, rather than developing one of its own.

Do Chinese people choose their own English name?

Many Chinese celebrities have English names so people choose the same name that their favorite singer or actor uses. Other people choose the names of American movie stars or even a character they play. Some people choose a name from their favorite book, either the author’s or the main character’s name.

Why do Chinese have English names?

Chinese may adopt English names for a variety of reasons, including foreigners’ difficulty with Chinese tones and better integration of people working in foreign enterprises. Established English names chosen by Chinese may also be those rarely used by native English speakers.

Is it illegal to name your child Adolf?

In a move that surprises absolutely nobody, Germany has banned the name ‘Adolf Hitler’ for newborn babies. The name is allowed in the United States, however, where one New Jersey couple named their three children Adolf Hitler, JoyceLynn Aryan Nation and Heinrich Hons, named after Heinrich Himmler.

What does Linh mean in Vietnamese?

soul
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Linh is a Vietnamese name that means “soul” or “spirit”. It is the Vietnamese pronunciation of the Chinese character 靈 (líng), which is not used as a surname in China.

Why do so many Chinese people have English last names?

This would explain why more and more people have adopted an English name since the late 1970s, when China began its policies of reform and opening up. While this assertion is true in part, it fails to explain why other globalizing countries do not partake as widely in such a phenomenon.

Why do Chinese people have so many nicknames?

After all, when Chinese people take English names, they do not give up their birth names; the new name becomes merely an additional moniker. In fact, the adoption of a series of names and nicknames is a long-held custom in the country. Until the mid-1900s in China, a person would normally inherit their father’s xing, or surname, at birth.

What are nick-names called?

These are commonly referred to as nick-names. A nick-name is typically a shorter, more personal, and less formal version of someone’s name. They are generally a shortened, but phonetically similar version of the original name.

Is it rude to call someone by their nickname?

A more formal, conservative Michael may think you to be rude if you call him Mike (or god forbid, Mikey.) It’s usually best to call someone by the name that they use to introduce themselves. These are commonly referred to as nick-names. A nick-name is typically a shorter, more personal, and less formal version of someone’s name.