Fuddland

It’s traditional for Chinese students choose their own English names when starting to attend language classes; even though it’s a shame they think Westerners would have no chance of correctly pronouncing their given names, I’ll admit that it does make life a bit easier for me, instead of stumbling over their names every time I want to admonish them. Sometimes it’s the teacher that assigns a new student a name, but since I don’t teach any of the very young children, I haven’t personally had this privilege.

However, occasionally you come across a student who has got strangely exotic ideas about Western names — or perhaps some former teacher has decided to have a bit of fun when naming them. Hence, along with the Bobs and the Mikes and the Julies and the Davids — oh yes, everyone has a good laugh when they learn that my name is the same as one of their classmates’ — I have a Strawberry, I have an Aurora, I have a Spring, and I have a Justice.

That last one took me a little while to accept that I was hearing it correctly:

Me

Justine?

Justice

No, Justice.

Me

Ah okay. J-U-S-T-I-N-E?

Justice

No, Justice.

Me

Justice? As in, crime, punishment — justice?

Justice

Yes. I like the word.

Me

Uh, okay.

#1

Thane | 2006 / 04 / 06 – 17:13

How old is this Justice? Might have been me that gave her that name…

#2

David | 2006 / 04 / 06 – 18:51

Re #1: Wouldn’t be surprised, you’re fully qualified to give unusual names, Thanatos. ;)

#3

imo | 2006 / 04 / 07 – 04:02

so, when are you going to change your name? ; )

#4

David | 2006 / 04 / 07 – 20:08

Re #3: At some point I expect I’ll be given a Chinese name [other than the transliteration of David], and will of course insist that everyone calls me that when I go back home. ;)

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