[NIFL-ESL:4466] Re: "English"-only names

From: Mona Baker (Mona_Baker@cpcc.cc.nc.us)
Date: Tue May 16 2000 - 13:10:54 EDT


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From: "Mona Baker" <Mona_Baker@cpcc.cc.nc.us>
To: Multiple recipients of list <nifl-esl@literacy.nifl.gov>
Subject: [NIFL-ESL:4466] Re: "English"-only names
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YEAH!!!!!!!!!!

>>> peter_macmonagle@cpcc.cc.nc.us 05/16 12:03 PM >>>
To the Group,

I have noticed a common practice with Japanese companies.  They give their Japanese employees working in this country American nicknames like "Bruce", "Max" and "Taylor."  They think this helps with blending in and "normalizing" relationships with customers.  

Frankly, I think it is a shame to assign English nicknames to people who already have wonderful names in their own languages.  I certainly would not want to work of a company who wanted to change my name to Mohammed simply becasue I was working in Saudi Arabia and they wanted me to "fit in." 

I have no trouble learning somebody's name as long as they explain the pronunciation, and, besides, it's their name. Let Bruce keep his own name and allow Shoji to keep his.

Peter

>>> baccachew98@yahoo.com 05/15 8:31 PM >>>
Over 50 years ago, the Japanese occupied Korea. While
doing so, they forced the Koreans to change their
names to Japanese names, and forced them to speak and
write only Japanese.

Today, some places in Korea routinely provide their
students with "English" (always British/American
names) names in their English classes, to give a more
"foreign" atmosphere in the class. I do not like this
practice, because of the historical precedent set by
the Japanese. Also, I think that Korean names are
beautiful, and that the identity/name of the student
should not hinder their appreciation of another
culture (ie they don't have to change their name in
order to learn about another culture).

Two questions:
(1)	How do you feel about this issue?
(2)	Is the giving of "English" names a practice
limited to Korea, or do schools in other countries do
this also?


=====
Gerry Lassche         
O: 0562 221 5085    F: 0562 221 5030
************************************
Globalization Education Team         
POSCO Education & Training Center    
PO Box 36, 74-3 Gigok-dong, Nam-ku
Pohang City, Kyungbok KOREA 790-390

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