Are ethnic minorities who use anglicised names sell outs?

This applies to anyone of immigrant background who has a foreign sounding name and purposely uses an anglicised form of their name or uses a completely different English name instead. Barack Obama did it for a while, used the name "Barry" which people in college knew him as rather than his birth name. It is much more common in the US as you'll see a lot of Oriental/Asian as well as Arabs people adopt English first names (that may be because Americans find pronouncing foreign names a bit tricky) but it is quite common among some groups in the UK. It isn't uncommon for people of Nigerian background to use English names officially but be referred to by their African name among their family. What does everyone think though, are they ashamed of their culture or is this simply an effort to fit in with the rest of us? Is this a good thing or a bad thing?

I've traced my ancestors back to about 1700 and found out I have French and German ancestry. The Germans came over in the 1870s and they anglicised their name to Ritchley from what I assume was something rather like Rietschel. I've no idea why they did this, but as you said, largely it is a way of fitting in and assimilating into society. You wouldn't like it if someone came to your house and re-arranged your furniture, so, with that very simplistic analogy in mind, that's probably what they were doing. They decided to move to a certain country and they've decided to adopt its culture; the correct thing to do, in my opinion.

Reply 41

cactussed

15

It seems like most Chinese people I've met (the ones born here anyway) tend to have both an English and Chinese names. It's a good idea I think, it makes it easier to remember their names and it's not a case of selling out. I do think it's ridiculous when someone like James Caan uses that name though instead of their proper spelling.

Original post by Brutal Honesty

If you had to live in China for work or something would you adopt a Chinese name and keep with it so everyone only knew you by your Chinese name apart from your family? Isn't it taking away a massive part of your identity in an effort to fit in?

These people all adopted Chinese names since they're living in China.

Charlotte McInnis > Ai Hua
http://www.cctv.com/program/upclose/20051226/100732.shtml

Mark Rowswell > Dashan
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dashan

Uwechue Emmanuel > Hao Ge
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hao_Ge

Reply 42

username549578

13

If i moved to another country like china, i would probably use a name that sounds similar to my original one, but one that is usual in china. It would probably make things easier.
Jackie Chan changed his name to jackie chan when he moved to america ithink

Reply 43

basketofsnakes

Original post by asparkyn

Not really. A Korean boy came over to our class last year and insisted his name was Kane, after the wrestler. Well, he looked fit to be the part but his name definitely wasn't Kane :lol:

Still, the name stuck and he became known as Kane till our graduation.

Although not entirely related to this thread... in certain circumstances, ethnic minorities have no option but to formally anglicise/"localise" their name. The Chinese who settled in places like Indonesia had to change their names to make themselves sound more local. Tan became Tanuwidjaja, Chan became Tjandra and so forth. I myself don't have a Chinese name. I don't even have a surname listed on my passport, come to think of it :hmmm:

lmao wtf

Reply 44

SirRamAlot

15

It's their name, I don't care.

Reply 45

Dirac Delta Function

14

Original post by Brutal Honesty

This applies to anyone of immigrant background who has a foreign sounding name and purposely uses an anglicised form of their name or uses a completely different English name instead. Barack Obama did it for a while, used the name "Barry" which people in college knew him as rather than his birth name. It is much more common in the US as you'll see a lot of Oriental/Asian as well as Arabs people adopt English first names (that may be because Americans find pronouncing foreign names a bit tricky) but it is quite common among some groups in the UK. It isn't uncommon for people of Nigerian background to use English names officially but be referred to by their African name among their family. What does everyone think though, are they ashamed of their culture or is this simply an effort to fit in with the rest of us? Is this a good thing or a bad thing?

Arabs don't. I know hundreds of Iraqis, not one anglicised their name. It is a source of mockery and contempt.

Some Arab names sound English eg, Sarah, Adam.

Reply 46

*Lollo*

8

I know a lot of Asians do it at my school, even if they have short, simple first names originally. Asian culture is largely influenced by the Western world and many of them want to live like Americans, so foreign names are "trendy" to them. They may do as they please, but it is ridiculous if people start talking about their ethnic origin as something very important or asks for others to adjust to them, simply because it suits them at that particular time. While most of the time they want to be someone else.

Reply 47

Sorenfors

People put too much emphasis on heritage and origin. If someone with an immigrant background has lived in the UK their whole life, chances are they feel British. Then I think it's understandable that they would want a name that is associated with their home and culture.

And then there's the pure inconvenience of mispronounciations. It's no fun when people have four different pronounciations of your name. I bet none of you would be able to pronounce my name properly on the first try. Also, people find it more difficult to remember foreign names and that creates problems and awkward moments.

Reply 48