1. The basic composition and form of Chinese and Western names
There are obvious differences in the components and structure of names between China and the West (referring to English-speaking countries). The main ways of forming names in contemporary China are: surname (generational name) and first name. Among them, generational names no longer exist in some Chinese families, only names. The contemporary Western name formation method is: given name (middle name) and surname. The middle name can be composed of one first name, and it can also be composed of multiple first names.
2. The main differences between Chinese and Western names
1. Differences in the order of name formation
The Chinese surname/name order is first surname and then given name. In Western countries, the order is first name and then surname. For example, Bruce Lee's surname is "Lee" and his first name is "Little Dragon"; in Harry Potter, Potter is the surname and is placed after the first name Harry.
2. Differences in the components of names
In terms of components, the only difference between China and the West lies in the naming requirements for middle names. In ancient China, middle names were generally generational names. Brothers of the same clan used the same character or the same radical of a Chinese character, and different characters for different generations of the same clan were used. For example, the names of the princes of Emperor Yongzheng of the Qing Dynasty all used the character "Yin" as the first character, and the character "Shi" next to the second character, such as Yinzu, Yinqi, Yinti, etc. However, with the development of Chinese society, this requirement of being a middle-aged person has gradually been diluted. Among Western names, the middle name is mostly the mother's surname, and later gradually developed to borrow the names of other relatives or people whom one admires. For example, Princess Kate's daughter was named Charlotte Elizabeth Diana, and Elizabeth was named in honor of Queen Elizabeth II.
3. Names are chosen in different ways
Chinese names are based on characters, usually two to three characters. When elders choose names, they usually consider the birth date and the five elements. , if the five elements lack wood, then the radical character with wood will be added to the name, such as "林", "木", etc. The family's hopes for their child are still condensed into one word. In addition, the name may also contain the words "Bo, Zhong, Shu, Ji" to indicate the order among brothers. Western naming is based on words, so the words selected are selected within a limited range. The origins of the names are mostly related to characters in ancient Greek and Roman mythology. The connotations and meanings represented by the names are also fixed and related to the names. sources are closely related. For example, the moon goddess Diana represents chastity, freedom and health. There is one difference that is very unique. In China, younger generations are not allowed to have the same name as their elders. In ancient times, they were not allowed to have the same name as emperors and sages. Emperors' names needed to be avoided. For example, after Emperor Yongzheng ascended the throne, he changed all the "Yin" in his brothers' names to "Yun". In the West, people can have the same name as their elders and sages. For example, Prince George Alexander Louis of the United Kingdom pays tribute to the Queen's father, George VI. Alexander's corresponding female name in English is Alexandra, which is taken from the Queen's name, while Louis is taken from a section of his father's name. These names all have the same names as their predecessors. The British use the same names to express respect for their ancestors and express their expectations for future generations.
4. The historical origins of the development of surnames and given names are different
In China, the origin of surnames is earlier than that of given names, while in the West, existing given names are followed by surnames. As for African Americans, they only got their own names after the Civil War, and their surnames can be changed frequently. [1]
3. Cultural differences reflected by name differences
1. The difference between focusing on the collective and the individual
The order of surnames and given names in China and the West can be It can be seen that Chinese people "pay more attention to surnames than given names", while Westerners "pay more attention to first names than surnames". The different order of caste and name is one of the obvious examples of cultural differences between English and Chinese. It is the reflection of different traditional cultures in personal names. [2] For a family, the surname maintains the relationship between the entire family members and represents the group. [3] The Chinese put the surname first, which reflects that the Chinese first define themselves in the relationship of the whole, and then only show the individual through the name in the whole. This shows that Chinese culture emphasizes putting the whole first.
In the West, the first name is placed before the surname, and the first name represents the individual. At the same time, the earlier appearance of surnames also shows that surnames and their representative meanings are more important in the hearts of Chinese people than first names. Westerners focus on the individual and emphasize the dignity and value of the individual. The surname represents the whole and is placed after the given name. Moreover, Western names appeared earlier than surnames, and surnames can be changed, which shows that Western culture affirms personal status and values ??personal value.
2. Differences in the concept of clan
Another reflection of the cultural concept of Chinese people attaching more importance to surnames than giving names is that Chinese people have strong clan concepts and attach great importance to clan consciousness. Clan members share the same ancestry and surname for generations, and the surname is a label for a person's clan affiliation. The Chinese people pay attention to tracing the roots and the development of the same surname. The West does not emphasize clan culture. You can also get a glimpse of it from the naming method of the middle name. Chinese middle names contain generational names, which shows that Chinese culture emphasizes the continuity between generations and the connection between the same generation. Having a generational name is the best link to strengthen the sense of identity between clans. Western Chinese names are mostly the mother's surname, which does not reflect the connection between people of the same generation, nor does it reflect the factors of the entire family. Chinese society has been dominated by Confucianism for thousands of years. Since Confucianism advocates harmonious family harmony, everyone must fulfill their responsibilities to their family and ancestors. The content of naming generally contains ideals and hopes, so the inheritance of the past and the future are extended. Clan respecting the clan is naturally a major mainstream of ideals and hopes. In naming, look at the lists of names of people from past dynasties listed in history books, such as Guangzu, Shuzu, Jizu, Yaozu, etc. These names are the clearest explanations of traditional Chinese clan thinking. [4]
3. Differences in religious views
The Han people attach great importance to Confucian ethical concepts, such as "morality, righteousness, respect, and literature", such as Liu Xuande and Zhang Yide of the Three Kingdoms. In addition, the words "righteousness, courtesy, friendship, respect, and filial piety" in the "Five Religions" of feudal ethics and "benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, and trust" in the impermanent Tao are also commonly used in people's names. Most Western British and Americans believe in Christianity, such as Christian, Joseph, etc. for men, and Angela, Elizabeth, etc. for women. The names of characters in the Bible and the names of Christian saints have enriched the English surname library, which fully reflects the important position of Christianity in people's lives and its close relationship with people's lives. [5]
4. Some unique cultural differences between China and the West
Chinese people pay attention to the birth date and the five elements when naming. For thousands of years, my country's Five Elements and Bagua have had a great impact on many aspects of people's ideological culture and social life. People often determine what is missing in their lives based on their children's birth dates, and then fill in the missing items with their names. The line is developed and prosperous. [6] If the five elements lack wood, the radical character with wood in it will be added to the name, such as "林", "木", etc. Ancient Greek and Roman culture is the root of Western culture. [7] Western culture originated from ancient Greek and Roman culture, and language was also deeply influenced by it. One of the manifestations is the names of Westerners. There were various gods in ancient Greek and Roman culture. They represented different meanings, and their names also conveyed different meanings. In the West, especially the United Kingdom, due to the historical origins of the monarchy, some names themselves have royal naming traditions, and the British royal family will also choose from them when naming their heirs. For example, female names include Victoria, DianaElizabeth, and Alexandra, while male names include Charles, George, Henry, and Richard. These names are very popular.
5. The difference between the concept of wedding and marriage
In ancient China, a woman took her husband’s surname after getting married, and added her own surname after her husband’s surname, such as Li Wang’s surname, Li is her husband’s surname . Contemporary Chinese women’s names no longer have this tradition, and a woman’s name does not change after she gets married. Many contemporary American women still use their husband's surname after marriage. However, with the further development of the women's liberation movement, many couples have begun to adopt the surname of both of them as their new surname, separated by a hyphen. For example, Mary Brown and John William get married. After the marriage, their names become Mary Brown-William and John Brown-William.
The change in the naming method of women is a change in language phenomenon. This change is a label that marks women's spiritual outlook of pursuing independence and equality. It also promotes the development of the women's liberation movement and promotes the prosperity and prosperity of society and culture. Progress