My Name

As per the Chinese tradition, I was named by my grandfather afterwardsward the Princess of Wales, Lady Diana Spencer, who was well known for her grace, beauty, and generosity of spirit. I was born in America, although my origin is Chinese. My grandfather snarl that it was necessary for him to give me a name that sounds American (or European) in origin. The name, Diana, felt appropriate also because it is a popular name among the Chinese (Chinese Culture).This name was derived from an old Indo-European root with the meaning, heavenly or divine (Diana). Perhaps this is the reason why I am neer offended when my friends very much call me Dee or Di. I know that Lady Diana Spencer, too, was often referred to as Lady Di. All the same, it is maybe the sacredness of the meaning of my name, Diana, that saves me from feeling insulted when I am called, Di (pronounced as Die).In short, I cave in never had a difficulty identifying with my first name. It is only my destruction name, Ng, t hat has given me some trouble, seeing that it is almost out of the question for a person with American (or European) origin to read it correctly, unless of course he or she has conducted some inquiry on the pronunciation of Chinese names. Hence, unfortunately, on that point ar few people I know exterior my family that pronounce my last name correctly.Chinese last names are patrilineal. In other words, they are passed from fathers to their children. Chinese women are also typically known to retain their birth surnames after marriage (Chinese Surname). Although I may or may not retain my last name after marriage, the mere fact that the last name is traditionally known to be significant enough to be utilize throughout ones lifetime, gives me the reason to respect my own last name unconditionally. This is disdainthe fact that many people mispronounce my last name, Ng, as Nig or simply call me command N-G. People be possessed of additionally made fun of my last name by remarkin g that NG stands for both no substantially or not given. Even so, I continue to honor my traditions and my family name.I figure that Ng is an unusual last name in America, and difficult to pronounce because it lacks a vowel. Moreover, I have felt annoyed at peoples mispronunciation of my last name, and their mockery of it. Ng was translated from Cantonese, and in mandarin it is Wu. The name has various other dialect variants such as Wone, Wong, Bong, Huynh, Hoang, Hwang, Oei, Oi, Ooi, Uy, Wee, and Ong (Family gain Wong).Unsurprisingly, all of the dialectical variants are transliterated and pronounced differently. Furthermore, because of the different pronunciations and romanizations, it is generally easy for the people of Chinese origins to tell whether a person apply a different dialectical variant of a last name is from mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, or Southeast Asia including Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia (Chinese Surname).Many of my cousins in America have change d the last name to Eng in order to overhear it easier for others to pronounce. I do not change it because I am quite attached to the idea of preserving good old family traditions. According to Scott Edward Harrison, Chinese names in the original script are relatively problem free only for those who are familiar with the written language.But when those names are transliterated based on established standards of transliteration, some intelligibility may be lost. This is certainly true with my last name. So, even though my last name is often mocked or mispronounced, I do not overreact to the insult because I have perfect understanding of the nature of the problem.Had Chinese writing been popular in America, nobody would have had a problem saying my last name. What is more, I have firm trust in thefact that Americans do not mean to harm or humiliate me by saying my last name incorrectly, or using it inappropriately. I do believe that the people I know respect and honor me as an individu al. Fortunately, in America ones personal strengths are more important than ones origins or name. Hence, I have never really felt like a misfit, or suffered maladjustment in any way.One variant of my last name, Wong or Huang, is known as the seventh most leafy vegetable last name in China (List of Common Chinese Surnames). The name is also used by many people in Vietnam, and almost one million in Korea. Moreover, approximately dickens million Chinese people settled overseas are known to be using at least one dialect variant of my last name (Family Name Wong). According a 1987 study, there are more than four hundred and fifty surnames in use in Beijing (Chinese Surname). Knowing that my last name, including its dialectic variants, is among the most popular Chinese names, makes it even easier for me to feel at ease with respect to my last name.Works Cited1Chinese Culture. Diana. Retrieved from http//chineseculture.about.com/library/name/female/blna_diana.htm. (14 February 2007).2. C hinese Surname. Wikipedia (2007, February). Retrieved http//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_surname. (14 February 2007).3.Diana. Behind the Name The Etymology and History of First Names (1996). Retrieved from http//www.behindthename.com/. (14 February 2007).4. Family Name Wong. Retrieved from http//www.generasian.ca/roots_wong.html. (14 February 2007).5. Harrison, Scott Edward. Chinese Names in English. Cataloging & Classification Quarterly, Volume 15, numeral 4 (1993, February).List of Common Chinese Surnames. Wikipedia (2007, February). Retrieved from http//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_common_Chinese_surnames. (14 February 20