Posted by Jack Lee on June 24, 2000 at 21:24:17:
In Reply to: Putting one's English and Chinese names together posted by Michael Huang on June 24, 2000 at 02:26:41:
: Hi all.
: Are there any formal rules regarding the combination of English and Chinese names?
: In my case, my Chinese name is: Huang Zhi Yuan
: My English name is: Michael Huang
: Since I was born in Australia and have lived here all my life, I generally use my English name only. However, I would like to include my Chinese name as a middle name, so that my full name would be: Michael Zhi-Yuan Huang.
: Is this the right way to do it (is the hyphenation right?)
: Also, what would be the rule for initializing my new middle name: Michael Z.Y. Huang, or just Michael Z. Huang?
: Sorry for being so pedantic about a name, but my name and the identity it gives me is important personally.
: Cheers, Michael.
Hello Michael:
In regards to your query of "putting one's English and Chinese name together, let me say first of all there are no specific rule nor convention which to how you wish to prioceed. The most common way is to put your English name Michael follow by Zhi Yuan Huang. Hyphensation of your middle names is OK butnot necessary. It is a matter of taste. Using intials are also quite common (Michael Z.Y. Huang). In recent years I have seen business cards (Michael Huang Zhi Yuan). in this manner your Anglicise name first follow by your Chinese name in the traditional Chinese order. As ypou can see there is a drawback that your surname does not appear first (as in Chinese manner) nor your last name appear in the proper sequence as in English. Sound confusing? Perhaps. In my case I use as my formal name Jack Wai Yen Lee and I also use Jack W.Y. Lee for business purposes. Hope I am not too confusing as there are no strict rule.