With the influence of the West, as well as the important business relationship China has with the West, etc., more and more Chinese people have English names in addition to their Chinese names. Its sort of interesting because how do you get a name in a foreign language? Often there is no equivalent, especially from English to Chinese and vice versa - so you either have to be 1. given your new name, or 2. pick your own name. My Chinese name is Hao Danni (郝丹妮）and my Chinese teachers in the U.S. gave it to me. But, if no one was there to pick your name for you, you'd most likely pick it according to whether or not you think it sounds good. In Chinese language, you hear them say that sort of thing a lot "很好听“ or "it just sounds good."
We were looking around our new apartment's gym complex when I was reminded of another video by Sufei that I watched a couple years ago. It was pretty hilarious and covered how names get lost in translation. Anyway, we were talking with one of the gym's personal trainers whose English name is, and I kid you not, ROCK. I guess he thought he should pick his English name according to what he does for a living. Regardless, we thought it was funny and it reminded me of this awesome video by Sexy Beijing.
Again, I know a lot of people (myself included) tend to not watch videos when they are posted... but this is REALLY funny and its pretty short!
Hilarious, no?! LOL! Oh BTW its funny because you see that guy walking around with his shirt up and his stomach showing? They totally do that here! Its hot. And they just want to cool off. But, its funny to see. Lots of men do it!
I love Sufei! I keep hoping maybe I will run into her on the subway someday... hah. Or Smacker! Meeting Smacker would be even cooler. Sufei went back and interviewed Smacker in a couple more videos that are also really entertaining.
Steph
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I loved the video!! It totally cracked me up.. :) Thanks for the laughs... I wonder what my Chinese name would be? hmmmmm.
ReplyDeletexx Love & Aloha
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lol my name is SMacker! omg the video is so funny! I have met once a Chinese with the English name "O" , literally lol. Thanks for the entry it starts my day just right!
ReplyDeleteSusan haha =D SMACKER even better LOL
ReplyDeleteThe Beijing Belly! That's what we called those guys with their big stomachs hanging out.... :-D
ReplyDeleteI love your blog, just stumbled across it. My husband is a foreign service officer and we were posted in Beijing until last year. I miss it so much! I'm trying to get hubby to bid on jobs in Shanghai for our next tour. Until then I'll just have to experience China vicariously through your blog!
Haha I am glad you guys enjoyed the video!
ReplyDeleteAnon - so glad you found me and stopped by! and glad to hear you loved it here, that is always reassuring :) Its really great so far, would be even better without a cold but lots of people say its to be expected when you first arrive, plus getting used to the "weather"... anyway if you can think of anything like, good eats or... tips/tricks, let me know!
Steph
oh and I like the Beijing Belly, I'm stealing that! haha!
ReplyDeleteI've really enjoyed reading all of your blog posts, but I especially loved the video today. I'm planning a trip to China for the fall, and I was curious why almost everyone I've spoken to had an English name. So, thanks for answering my question!
ReplyDeleteGreat video Steph.. The name Smacker is pretty cool haha I love the SATC theme.. Is that movie showing now over there??
ReplyDeleteSamanfar! Lol! Thanks for sharing this. Hope you are feeling better from your "common cold" !
ReplyDeleteAnd yes beef balls (from ur previous post) are strange in texture. Some people love em, but I prefer Italian or American style meatballs! True wontons though should be made with shrimp and a tiny bit of pork...I don't think I've ever had beef ones : )
Megs!!! I love the SATC theme, its hilarious.. lol. I REALLY hope it will show over here! There are two theaters here that are showing Ironman 2 and How to Train Your Dragon - so I really hope SATC will come here!! I heard it was really popular here so there is a good chance.
ReplyDeleteJean - my wontons had pork & shrimp :) but another restaurant we've been to calls it wonton and its pork & veggies, no shrimp. Anyway I know nothing about chinese food! LOL. I hope that will change once I sign up for a cooking class.
oh and Bridget, if you have any questions about Beijing let me know! Not that I am an expert at all but I can get answers for you! :)
ReplyDeleteSteph,
ReplyDeleteThat was hilarious. Being Chinese myself it is so weird to see an American speaking so fluently. I recently had to deal with vendors in Asia and did notice somewhat odd English names. If you happen to run into a Ms. Flower Wang or a Mr. Franky tell them Mr. Janice says hi! LOL
xoxo
Janice
That video is hilarious!!! Even in Italy, I would tell people my name is Rachel and they would say, "What is it??" So I eventually just had to start going as Rachele and then they were like. "OH Rachele, ok." haha Also everyone called my husband Eric, "ERI" because rarely do names end in c. I love this post, so interesting! :)
ReplyDeletexxxx
Rachel
This is seriously hilarious!! I love it! hahah I love how she is Carrie!! Really really funny!!
ReplyDeleteTwila
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