[NIFL-ESL:4493] Re: "English"-only names

From: Rschwar44@aol.com
Date: Wed May 17 2000 - 11:41:47 EDT


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Subject: [NIFL-ESL:4493] Re: "English"-only names
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Well- giving names in the target language is an age-old language class 
practice-- I don't think it has much to do with hiding or diminishing the 
learners' names--I remember my older brother was dubbed Pedro by his Spanish 
teacher back in the early 60's--and they both loved it , despite his nearly 
failing Spanish....  

My ESL 9college age) students from Taiwan, Korea, Japan, and Thailand often 
give themselves American names--both to feel more part of the college culture 
and avoid Americans' mangling their own names--it is pretty startling to have 
, as I did this last semester, A Taiwanese Cecily, April and Emily and a 
Korean Vincent!!     Sometimes the students change their names because their 
names are unfortunate in English.

anyway, as I said, personally I don't feel there is anything inherently wrong 
with the practice-- and students often love it.

R. Schwarz



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