Englishised Names?

Abstract

The "Englishisation" (Karchu, 1986) of the naming conventions among ethnic-Chinese in Singapore are examined. It is noted that Englishization is used here rather than "Anglicization," since the former refers only to linguistic phenomena such as phonology, syntax, lexis, & collocations, while the latter may also refer to social & cultural phenomena. Chinese naming patterns are briefly outlined & compared with those in the Anglo-American system. Previous studies in naming conventions among Chinese living in the US, Malaysia, Hong Kong & Taiwan are noted. Name records of graduating students from Nanyang U (1960), U of Singapore (1968), & the National U of Singapore (2000) were examined, & patterns of Englishization in the naming conventions of Chinese Singaporeans were identified. Signs of Englishization found included (1) the Romanization of names based on English, (2) English-based given names, (3) the abandonment of Chinese-based given names, & (4) changes in name order. The Mandarinization & Pinyinization of Chinese names in Singapore as well as unorthodox names are briefly discussed. Evidence from the Singapore Census of Population (2000) is presented as additional support of the conclusion that Chinese names in Singapore are becoming Englishized. It is concluded that the increased use of English along with the rise of Christianity among Chinese Singaporeans support the trend of the Englishization of Chinese names. A. Rice.