To the Editor of the "Noon-Cuua Dany News"
Sm,—The practice of Chinese of both Sexes adopting English names ig-one of the. manifestations of change we see around us, and one Which T think caves an' observer Tost surprise, <I think it is reason fable to state that the Chinese people are' not imitative, Although Inclined to-day'to adapt. themselves toa certain extent to Western hae bite, they retain a. strong individ-quality, which is evidenced Rouses, "furniture, pictures, musi, women's dress, food and drink, and
changer, That. people. so. const nate conservatism rejects, sweep countless Matters" where ah in
tuted, and literally' dragged unwil-Tiny nto new habits by the placable forces of a changing world, should seize, almost first, "on the unnecessary alteration of their ver names seems a contradiction el Tandamentals, and opposed the character of & people proud of their ancestors and' devoted to their parents.
This practice, I understand, iboing adopted by Chinese alone. After enquiry, T believe T am right in saying that in no other country people willingly forfeit thole own tuarnes: coloured people are known adopt very high-eounding pat-Fonymies, but as a rule racial pride trid the inheritance of family names held in. affection provide no. motive for exchanging into the nomencl. tite 'OF another country.
tanity are-given foreign names by Tram fold that converts to Chri Missionaries in' schools, convents, fang. missions. T'-am inclined "to doubt that the many Chinese youths find misses using foreign nantes to flay derived their aliases from this Source. That would argue too grea success for Chriatiantty in. Shang i know personally one oF two who have never entered. a° Mission School: In any ease, on leaving School a Chinese. youth or girl is entitled' to resume his or her own name. An "English. name. is. no passport for the Kingdom of Hea 1 gather that the Chinese Govern. ment have not so. far' concerned themselves "with this movement which began in high places. They, probably will, for it can be an important source of revenue. Perhaps Choy think that it is ephemeral, or may die of ridicule, which hes killed many' & social movement. before this. What Tam trying. to discover is the real reason this obit. "There must be one. "There wag reason, anda good one, Took-binding, but it" coaned, of at Tenst_one hopes s0._ Tf one asks Ghinese friend for the. reason, Seems to. set up" embarrassment tiiist TE the custom. trowing, and likely to be indulged {nati more freely, one is entitled feck the motive andthe reason. Grants. Saw Shangh Avg. 10, 1983.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.