Return-Path: <nifl-esl@literacy.nifl.gov> Received: from literacy (localhost [127.0.0.1]) by literacy.nifl.gov (8.9.3/8.9.0.Beta5/980425bjb) with SMTP id RAA24636; Tue, 16 May 2000 17:41:31 -0400 (EDT) Date: Tue, 16 May 2000 17:41:31 -0400 (EDT) Message-Id: <Pine.GSO.4.21.0005161620390.10930-100000@lonestar.jpl.utsa.edu> Errors-To: listowner@literacy.nifl.gov Reply-To: nifl-esl@literacy.nifl.gov Originator: nifl-esl@literacy.nifl.gov Sender: nifl-esl@literacy.nifl.gov Precedence: bulk From: Elizaeth Crowther <ecrowthe@lonestar.jpl.utsa.edu> To: Multiple recipients of list <nifl-esl@literacy.nifl.gov> Subject: [NIFL-ESL:4472] RE: "English"-only names X-Listprocessor-Version: 6.0c -- ListProcessor by Anastasios Kotsikonas Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII Status: O Content-Length: 3753 Lines: 86 I was a Peace Corps Volunteer in Paraguay and our trainers encouraged us to use the Spanish forms of our names-or use a Paraguayan name. They told us it would show respect for the culture. I liked the idea for many reasons. But we were volunteers, not immigrants. I agree it was a good ice breaker. But all in all they were more interested in learning to pronounce my real name, out of respect for me. Names are very important, and even suggesting that they be changed is considered disrespectful, and insulting for some people. I have had that discussion with students, and none of them opted to change their names, or as they phrased it- their identity. I think it is sad that this is even a necessary topic of discussion On Tue, 16 May 2000, john googins wrote: > Gerry and others, > > One of the first things our Korean, Korean language instructors did at our > in-country (1977) Peace Corps/Korea training was give each new volunteer a > "Korean" name. Mine was Gu Gee Jun. My recollection is that I was more > amused than irritated at the prospect of assuming a new identity. Later, as > I went about my work and life in Korea, when introducing myself in Korean > language I would say "my Korean name is...". Those Koreans who cared to > know me better, and many did, would ask my "real" name and to them I was Mr. > John. My use of my Korean name often served as an ice-breaker when people > didn't quite know what next to talk about with the "American". Several times > after introducing myself to rural villagers I was asked, quite seriously, > which part of Korea my "Gu" family ancestors came from! I still get a > chuckle thinking about those times all these years later. > > As I reflect on my experience, the new "Korean" identity seems to have in > some small way helped put me into more of a "Korean" frame of mind as I > studied, worked and played in a culture and language so different from that > of my birthplace. Just as my being given a Korean name in no way challenged > or changed my self-identity it should be no wonder that the Korean language > and culture defiantly withstood the edicts of a brutal colonizing force. > > Best Wishes > > John Googins (aka Gu Gee Jun) > > > ----Original Message----- > From: Gerry Lassche [mailto:baccachew98@yahoo.com] > Sent: Monday, May 15, 2000 5:32 PM > To: Multiple recipients of list > Subject: [NIFL-ESL:4452] "English"-only names > > > 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 > > __________________________________________________ > Do You Yahoo!? > Send instant messages & get email alerts with Yahoo! Messenger. > http://im.yahoo.com/ >
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