Posted by Craig Abbott (144.137.8.52) on July 15, 2004 at 22:09:44:
In Reply to: Re: "Ah" in front of a name posted by Vineula on September 02, 2001 at 19:44:32:
: Hiya, Ah at the beginning of the name is like 'son of'
Nope...
"Ah" is a generic prefix to a name. Cantonese speakers like to use two words when naming anything, so rather than use a single name, they add Ah in front to make it a duplet.
My wife's name is Lan, and she is called either Ah Lan or Lan Lan. The simple doubling of the name is also common, and is more of an affectionate term.
As for people coming to "the west" (US/Europe etc) it is quite likely that Ah was then included as a persons official name by government officials.
Note:
Sin San = Mr eg: Ho Sin San = Mr Ho
Taai Taai = Mrs eg: Ho Taai Taai = Mrs Ho
Siu Je = Miss eg: Ho Siu Je = Miss Ho
Goh Goh = Older Brother (also generic for an older guy about your age or a senior just above you in a company)
Je Je = Older Sister (pronounced like chair chair)
Sook Sook = Uncle (or family friend)
Regards
Craig