A Cultural Comparison of English and Chinese Family Names
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Asian Social Science
Vol. 6, No. 11; November 2010
A Cultural Comparison of English and Chinese Family Names
Hongmei Zhu
School of Foreign languages, Henan University of Technology
Lotus Street, Hi-Tech Development Zone, Zhengzhou 450001, Henan, China
Tel: 86-371-6775-6797
E-mail: zhuhongmei@haut.edu
Abstract
The family names of humans are formed and used in the long process of the course of history and the development of society. Family names, being a part of culture, are closely related to history and culture. English and Chinese names are different in their origins and name orders, which is certain to be reflected in their perspective culture. Therefore an exploration of their reflections in the cultural aspects of historical development, feudal history, historical tradition, historical influence and current social situation will be beneficial for the deepening of English study and the mutual understanding and communication of the East and the West.
Keywords: Cultural comparison, English family names, Chinese family names, Origin, Name order
The word "culture" comes from the Latin root "colere" (to inhabit, to cultivate, or to honor). In general, it refers to human activity; different definitions of culture reflect different theories for understanding, or criteria for valuing, human activity. Culture is traditionally the oldest human character, its significant traces separating
Homo from australopithecines, and Man from the Animals, though new discoveries are blurring these edges in our day. Sir Edward B. Tylor wrote in 1871 that "culture or civilization, taken in its wide ethnographic sense, is that complex whole which includes knowledge, belief, art, morals, law, custom, and any other capabilities and habits acquired by man as a member of society" while a 2002 document from the United Nations agency
UNESCO states that culture is the "set of distinctive spiritual, material, intellectual and emotional features of society or a social
Asian Social Science
Vol. 6, No. 11; November 2010
A Cultural Comparison of English and Chinese Family Names
Hongmei Zhu
School of Foreign languages, Henan University of Technology
Lotus Street, Hi-Tech Development Zone, Zhengzhou 450001, Henan, China
Tel: 86-371-6775-6797
E-mail: zhuhongmei@haut.edu
Abstract
The family names of humans are formed and used in the long process of the course of history and the development of society. Family names, being a part of culture, are closely related to history and culture. English and Chinese names are different in their origins and name orders, which is certain to be reflected in their perspective culture. Therefore an exploration of their reflections in the cultural aspects of historical development, feudal history, historical tradition, historical influence and current social situation will be beneficial for the deepening of English study and the mutual understanding and communication of the East and the West.
Keywords: Cultural comparison, English family names, Chinese family names, Origin, Name order
The word "culture" comes from the Latin root "colere" (to inhabit, to cultivate, or to honor). In general, it refers to human activity; different definitions of culture reflect different theories for understanding, or criteria for valuing, human activity. Culture is traditionally the oldest human character, its significant traces separating
Homo from australopithecines, and Man from the Animals, though new discoveries are blurring these edges in our day. Sir Edward B. Tylor wrote in 1871 that "culture or civilization, taken in its wide ethnographic sense, is that complex whole which includes knowledge, belief, art, morals, law, custom, and any other capabilities and habits acquired by man as a member of society" while a 2002 document from the United Nations agency
UNESCO states that culture is the "set of distinctive spiritual, material, intellectual and emotional features of society or a social
References: Danesi, Marcel. (2007). The Quest for Meaning. Toronto: University of Toronto Press, p 48. Doll, Cynthia Blevins. (1992). Harmonizing Filial and Parental Rights in Names: Progress, Pitfalls, and Constitutional Problems Kramsch, Claire. (2000). Language and Culture. Shanghai: Shanghai Education Pres. Wang, Quangen. (1988). Perspectives of Chinese Personal Names. Nanning: Guangxi People 's Publishing House. Wang, Quangen. (2001). Culture of Chinese Personal Names. Beijing: Unity Press. Wiehl, Lisa. (2008). Wedding Norms Challenged as Women Question Changing Names, Fox News. Retrieved October 14.