[OT] Chinese & Indian names. Need help for writing

[geoschmo]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_name
Interesting stuff. Not my area of expertise, but might but be helpful if you haven't already done a web search.

[sachmo]

Will the Bengal Chengs continue with the hybrid names, or will they lean to one side or the other.

My limited knowledge of Chinese culture leads me to believe that the Chinese family unit was historically matriarchal, so maybe they would begin to take Indian names.

There are always exceptions to the rule, but you could use the kids to emphasise the strength of personality of the mother or the father in the story.

[dogscoff]

Heh, the mother is certainly a forceful personality, but then the father certainly isn't a pushover.

Damn, I just can't wait for all you guys to read this.

This page also has quite a few interesting links about names.

Thanks, but as you so rightly point out...

At any rate, I would advice to check with a Chinese speaker before settling on a full name,

Which is kind of what I was hoping to achieve by posting here. We have a very diverse community on the forum here, and I was hoping someone would pipe up with "Oh yeah, I'm chinese, I can help."

Once more, I beg everyone's indulgence in my never-ending quest to avoid actual research.

On another note, age is counted differently in Chinese than in our societies: a baby is born one-year-old, and your age increases on the New Year. The actual birthday is still on the day of the birth. I do not know if this will have any influence on your book, however.

Not at the moment, but worth knowing. THanks.

[Alneyan]

Deccan may be able to help you, but he is currently on holidays. Perhaps he is reading his mail, but I wouldn't know for sure.

There were a few other Chinese speakers on the Dominions boards, but I do not think they are still around. Still, it might be worth it to make another post there, if nobody can help you on the SEIV forums.

[dogscoff]

Aha! Why make up a name when I can steal one? My brother's superlative idea.

www.phonebookofhongkong.com

[sachmo]

"Any similarity to persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental. Unless you live in Hong Kong."

[dogscoff]

Haha. Of course, if anyone knowledgable still wants to help out, that would be great as well.

[Alneyan]

Disclaimer: I am not a scholar on the topic either, so you will probably want to make sure what I say is correct. *Grumbles* Chinese studies would make for a nice addition in our universities.

This page also has quite a few interesting links about names. At any rate, I would advice to check with a Chinese speaker before settling on a full name, in case you run into a very odd combination. Or perhaps you could consider using a name from a Chinese novel, which would be easier and could make for a nice reference of some sort.

On another note, age is counted differently in Chinese than in our societies: a baby is born one-year-old, and your age increases on the New Year. The actual birthday is still on the day of the birth. I do not know if this will have any influence on your book, however.