Lena B Katz wrote:
> On Wed, 30 Aug 2005, -L. wrote:
>
> >
> > Bob Myers wrote:
> >> I have always wondered how much trouble this sort of
> >> thing has caused for Morimoto Masaharu (or Masaharu
> >> Morimoto, take your pick), since he's the one original Iron
> >> Chef who is now living in the U.S..
> >
> > Probably not much. He's well known, has his own restaurants (Morimoto)
> > and is pretty aclimated to American culture.
> >
> > The thing that wigs me out is that all of our Chinese friends were
> > given American names by some teacher someplace along the line - and
> > very few had any choice in the matter. Most of them still go by their
> > "American" names.
>
> I know a guy like that. I can't pronounce his Chinese name. Why go by a
> name where no one can pronounce it? (I'm generally good with languages,
> but my grasp of tones is poor).
>
> Lena

I suspect that's why they do so. What's sad, though, is one of our
friends' daughter has eschewed everything Chinese - doesn't want to be
called by her Chinese name - which is actually very pretty and easy to
pronounce - and insists on being called "Vicki" which is some name some
teacher gave her, as well. Just so sad to lose that part of your
culture, IMO, since it *is* her name, afterall.

-L.