Texas lawmaker: Asians should change their names to make them ‘easier for Americans'

[winner2000]

Texas lawmaker: Asians should change their names to make them ‘easier for Americans to deal with.’

On Tuesday, State Rep. Betty Brown (R) caused a firestorm during House testimony on voter identification legislation when she said that Asian-Americans should change their names because they’re too hard to pronounce:

“Rather than everyone here having to learn Chinese — I understand it’s a rather difficult language — do you think that it would behoove you and your citizens to adopt a name that we could deal with more readily here?” Brown said.

Brown later told [Organization of Chinese Americans representative Ramey] Ko: “Can’t you see that this is something that would make it a lot easier for you and the people who are poll workers if you could adopt a name just for identification purposes that’s easier for Americans to deal with?”

Yesterday, Brown continued to resist calls to apologize. Her spokesman said that Democrats “want this to just be about race.”

http://thinkprogress.org/2009/04/09/brown-asian-names/

[dragon_drift]

how hard is it to pronounce chinese names? It's not like it's super long.

[Paranoidandroid]

“Rather than everyone here having to learn Chinese
Pronouncing Chinese names in English =/= learning Chinese... they make it sound like you need to take a language course in order to pronounce names.

Are all Texans this ethnocentric?

[beetfarm]

Asian names aren't even that hard to pronounce. The most common last names are like Kim, Tran, Chan etc. You could argue that names like Dišljenković and a lot of the other 'vics are harder to pronounce. But even then, change it to an easier name to pronounce to make it more convenient for others? Stupid.

[laptop-tech]

I dont think that "Kevin" is hard to pronounce.

[V A N Q U I S H]

how hard is it to pronounce chinese names? It's not like it's super long.

Seriously, before reading the article I thought if anything, they were talking about South Indian people's names. East Asian names are usually pronounced they way they are read.

Of course there are some weird ones like Xuang (pronounced: Zwang).

[_Allan_]

The names *I* don't like trying to pronounce are Sri Lanken, Turkish, and other middle eastern names ... first name and last name are each like 30 letters long and some with only 1 or 3 vowels ... grrr Balamugunthan Abrahhargarashi

[Rehan]

“Rather than everyone here having to learn Chinese — I understand it’s a rather difficult language ... I can see how Chinese would be difficult to learn for someone who can't even speak common sense.

I'd love to hear this lady announce an NHL hockey game...the results would be hilarious! :lol:

[branat]

Like Jiverly Wong?

[bokep]

I think Eastern European names are much harder to pronounce. I remember one polish teacher, Ms. Chowaniec --> pronounced something like "ho-va-ni-etz".

Wang isn't very hard ;)

[AudiDude]

Everthing is dumber in Texas...

[Engi-Nir]

Everthing is dumber in Texas...

and they have the right to bear arms...dangerous combo

[dighn]

asian names are usually simple to pronounce since they are direct phonetic translations of single syllables. she is either an idiot or just racist, possibly both.

[nano]

they need some phonics lessons.....

[pablonutribar]

I have an easier solution. Whenever I see a name I don't know (or am not sure of), I just call the person 'bing bong'. Problem solved!!

[Eyies]

Of course then there are those that complain that asians with western names are 'posers', 'don't keep to their cultural identity'. :rolleyes:

[pablonutribar]

Of course then there are those that complain that asians with western names are 'posers', 'don't keep to their cultural identity'. :rolleyes:

Why do cantonese people give their children the weirdest English names sometimes? No wonder people make fun of them wth names like 'Norbert' or 'Orville'. Seriously, isn't naming your child 'Norbert' just cruel??

[batman321123]

David and Linda are actually very easy to pronounce.

[Jon Lai]

Everthing is dumber in Texas...

...including the president they spewed out ;)

[king_george]

I'd like this dipstick to try and pronounce my European(French-German) name without making her tongue cry out for mercy :lol:

Referring to another poster, I have a Chinese lady I work with who is about a year off the boat (so to speak) from Hong Kong. Her english is very good aside from she doesn't know any slang yet, but the name she gave herself is "Honey". I simply refuse to walk into the office and say "Hi Honey"....:| I can't even call her "Hon" for short.

Awkwardness roolz.....:lol:

[zoob]

Anyone else think of the episode of Heroes with the Asian trucker?
:cheesygri

[amroache]

I think Eastern European names are much harder to pronounce. I remember one polish teacher, Ms. Chowaniec --> pronounced something like "ho-va-ni-etz".

Wang isn't very hard ;)
:arrowu:You're pretty clever:cheesygri

[felixdd]

Chinese names are hard?!

The other day I met a Caucasian lady by the name of Mrs. Zrnc

ZRNC. There isn't even a freakin' vowel!! How the hell do you pronounce that?!?!

[hunt3rshadow]

I think Micheal, Kevin ,Anthony, Stephanie, Lisa, and Katherine (Kathy) are pretty simple to pronounce.

[Lone_Prodigy]

Why do cantonese people give their children the weirdest English names sometimes? No wonder people make fun of them wth names like 'Norbert' or 'Orville'. Seriously, isn't naming your child 'Norbert' just cruel??

Didn't Nicholas Cage name his son Kal-El? As far as I know he isn't Cantonese.

[salabanzi]

Yea, let's all change our names to some variation of John Smith or Jane Doe so Rep. Betty Brown can pronounce our names easier.

[ruhroh]

My English name is actually mispronounced more often than my Chinese name because of its weird spelling... but it's a completely legitimate spelling.

What should I do Betty Brown?! :cry:

[beetfarm]

I think Micheal, Kevin ,Anthony, Stephanie, Lisa, and Katherine (Kathy) are pretty simple to pronounce.

Is there really a point to posting a joke that has been posted twice already?

[Sepiraph]

This doesn't really surprise me, after all Texas produced people like G.W.B.

[nx2k]

Does the lawmaker mean the first name or last name?
If it's first name, then i guess it can be adapted, a lot of people do this anyways.

some asian last names are pretty hard to pronounce, especially ones with Z,Q or X's

i feel guilty calling someone WANG :cheesygri

[custy]

I wounder how a politician with her IQ gets voted in anyways. She probably got into a seat by her "race".

If Asian names are hard to pronounce for voting rights, what about Sri Lankan names, Arab names or even Eastern European names?

Eg:

John Doesitheriantheiunumsiansum

Osama - Al-Jihad Bin Jinsery Akhmed Al Jeesera

[partytime2009]

Is this article trying to be funny?

All Asians I know have already adopted a western first name? (seems to be the only culture that changes their name to suit the west) and now they want you guys to change your last name too?

Is it a coincidence that they are only targeting Asian? The greater topic would be why Asians even change their first names. What happened to being true to your culture?

[pablonutribar]

Didn't Nicholas Cage name his son Kal-El? As far as I know he isn't Cantonese.

Kal-El is kind of cool (IMO), and unlikely to get you beat up on the playground. Norbert, on the other hand, is not cool. That name would also get you repeated, traumatic arsewhippings on the playground.

You know that I'm half-joking right?? Just making sure.

[whampoa]

Didn't Nicholas Cage name his son Kal-El? As far as I know he isn't Cantonese.

Is he native to Krypton?

[13sundin]

i guess he never heard of or saw tamil last names...

wong, chong, fong

they are usually one sound and very easy to read...

[B0000rt]

Imagine if there were alot of Sri Lankans or Southern Indians living in the United States? :D :D :D

[LonesomeDove]

Are all Texans nutbars?

Most Asian surnames are one syllable. Maybe she has trouble with NG? Years ago, I had a teacher who paused when it came to someone with the last name of NG. He did not know how to pronounce it, so everyone told him it was pronounced as "Eng".

[thendless]

Have fun boys and girls:

http://www.house.state.tx.us/members/email.php?dist=4&rep=betty.brown

[Mario38]

Have fun boys and girls:

http://www.house.state.tx.us/members/email.php?dist=4&rep=betty.brown

Cool. I sent her an email. Used a Texas address of course so she would take it more seriously.

[originalnutta]

Asians include Indians, Sri Lankans and everyone else in Asia.


The lawmaker seems to be only referring to Chinese. Their names are a bit hard to understand, if you don't make an effort. Just like any other name.

Im sure the X's and Q's give them a hard time.

[Jon Lai]

Cool. I sent her an email. Used a Texas address of course so she would take it more seriously.

Nice. Keep us posted.

[Jon Lai]

Asians include Indians, Sri Lankans and everyone else in Asia.


The lawmaker seems to be only referring to Chinese. Their names are a bit hard to understand, if you don't make an effort. Just like any other name.

Im sure the X's and Q's give them a hard time.
Yea, for the mandos.

Or the NG, TSANG, etc. for canto :P

[windforcexx28]

this is stupid

[Magoo]

Bang some pots and pans together and you've got a Chinese last name.

Get all Texans to take a pinyin course.

[angekfire]

I think Micheal, Kevin ,Anthony, Stephanie, Lisa, and Katherine (Kathy) are pretty simple to pronounce.

You would be amazed how many people spell Anthony wrong. Or how many people I need to spell it out for.

And Kal-El? I know a guy named Khalil, pronounced pretty similarly I'd imagine.

[whampoa]

You would be amazed how many people spell Anthony wrong. Or how many people I need to spell it out for.

And Kal-El? I know a guy named Khalil, pronounced pretty similarly I'd imagine.

So which Tony is it?

http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg307/rimback/bct%20blog/Tony_the_Tiger.jpg

VS.

http://i410.photobucket.com/albums/pp190/FindStuff2/Best%20Images/Movies/Adjusted%20Movies/tony_montana_by_nena_san.jpg

[DarcyC]

Texas lawmaker: Asians should change their names to make them ‘easier for Americans to deal with.’

On Tuesday, State Rep. Betty Brown (R) caused a firestorm during House testimony on voter identification legislation when she said that Asian-Americans should change their names because they’re too hard to pronounce:


My favourite part of this story - if there was a firestorm in the house after Betty Brown's ridiculous remarks, I guess that not all Texans are hopeless. I am kind of hoping that no one agreed with her. :confused:

Betty makes herself look even more idiotic and racist by limiting her comments to Asian-Americans, but she probably thinks that she makes perfect sense.

As for the poll workers angle, shouldn't people coming to a polling station be slapping down some ID so that the worker can just read the name. Why do the poll workers have to figure out how to spell it. And if they do, just ask, "And could you spell that for me?" :rolleyes: It's not rocket science!

[joeyjoejoe]

Why do cantonese people give their children the weirdest English names sometimes? No wonder people make fun of them wth names like 'Norbert' or 'Orville'. Seriously, isn't naming your child 'Norbert' just cruel??

+1... it's like they just randomly pick from a book of baby names from 1880.

[spookie149]

+1... it's like they just randomly pick from a book of baby names from 1880.

I was an exchange student in HK for a little while. Some of the more random ones I heard were Sherlock, Milk, Eating, Tissue, Human, and Evergreen.

[bokep]

Why do cantonese people give their children the weirdest English names sometimes? No wonder people make fun of them wth names like 'Norbert' or 'Orville'. Seriously, isn't naming your child 'Norbert' just cruel??

Probably the same reason that white folks name their kids 'Apple' or 'Rainbow'.

[Setz]

Probably the same reason that white folks name their kids 'Apple' or 'Rainbow'.

I have a friend named Special, and her sister is named Precious.

PS: I'm white and have no problem pronouncing some names like Nguyen.

[angekfire]

I generally don't have problems with pronouncing names, because I was raised in a house with ESL students for like 19 years. Most of them would keep their name, but a few took on a Canadian name.

We had 1 Korean guy named Hong-ki (I forget the exact spelling, ironic for this thread) who took on the name "Dave". I guess because everybody just called him Honky.

[YoungDr3amer]

I have a vietnamese friend named Phuc Dat.

It's pronounced "Fuoc."

He would always be teased in opening conversations, however, we Vietnamese people are proud of our culture and hertiage, regardless if it makes it easier for Americans.

"Hi John, this is our executive accountant in our IT department, Mr. Phuc Dat."

"Hi there John"
"Hello Ppphhuu.... Hi Mr. P."

Awkward silence.

[Si98]

I have a vietnamese friend named Phuc Dat.

It's pronounced "Fuoc."

He would always be teased in opening conversations, however, we Vietnamese people are proud of our culture and hertiage, regardless if it makes it easier for Americans.

"Hi John, this is our executive accountant in our IT department, Mr. Phuc Dat."

"Hi there John"
"Hello Ppphhuu.... Hi Mr. P."

Awkward silence.

At least he's not called Fu Kien Bich. Someone really has this name...somewhere in western Canada.

[Setz]

I have a vietnamese friend named Phuc Dat.

It's pronounced "Fuoc."

He would always be teased in opening conversations, however, we Vietnamese people are proud of our culture and hertiage, regardless if it makes it easier for Americans.

"Hi John, this is our executive accountant in our IT department, Mr. Phuc Dat."

"Hi there John"
"Hello Ppphhuu.... Hi Mr. P."

Awkward silence.

I have a friend named Ioue. To this day I don't know how to pronounce it.

It's funny, his name is Tim Ioue, and when he got his health card, they misspelled his name: they spelt Tim wrong. :P

[joeym]

they wont admit it but a theres some parts of texas who are really against other race (blacks, etc)

[J W]

I have a vietnamese friend named Phuc Dat.

It's pronounced "Fuoc."

He would always be teased in opening conversations, however, we Vietnamese people are proud of our culture and hertiage, regardless if it makes it easier for Americans.

"Hi John, this is our executive accountant in our IT department, Mr. Phuc Dat."

"Hi there John"
"Hello Ppphhuu.... Hi Mr. P."

Awkward silence.

That is totally awesome.

[EM_K19]

Kal-El should be familiar to any fans of Superman. His current wife is Korean, but the name does not make sense at all in the language either, so Krypton he is. :D

I think as far as Asian names go, I'd say about 95% of the population that is not Vietnamese do not know how to pronounce "Nguyen" properly. They even poke at that in a Family Guy episode.

[Magoo]

I have a vietnamese friend named Phuc Dat.

It's pronounced "Fuoc."

He would always be teased in opening conversations, however, we Vietnamese people are proud of our culture and hertiage, regardless if it makes it easier for Americans.

"Hi John, this is our executive accountant in our IT department, Mr. Phuc Dat."

"Hi there John"
"Hello Ppphhuu.... Hi Mr. P."

Awkward silence.

haha... Have you ever met a guy named Gaylord? Mr. G? LOL

[angekfire]

I think as far as Asian names go, I'd say about 95% of the population that is not Vietnamese do not know how to pronounce "Nguyen" properly. They even poke at that in a Family Guy episode.

I'm assuming it is pronounced like "New-yen"

[bokep]

I'm assuming it is pronounced like "New-yen"

I think it's something like "nwinh", but I might be wrong.

[Setz]

I'm assuming it is pronounced like "New-yen"

I thought it was "Nyoo-yin".

[YoungDr3amer]

Nguyễn is pronounced in one syllable.

Trying saying Nu-wen really fast, that's the closest you'll ever get.

If I can remember correctly, depending on one of the many tones (low, mid, high-rising, etc.), there are different meanings and therefore may alter the pronouncation.

[ImJJ]

I'll change my name to Diu Lasing...

Easier?

[cdnNick]

Hard to believe but I have had my last name mispronounced in the southern US before, it's Fish but I had one guy at a golf course call me Fie-i-sh or something like that he butched it so bad I didn't realize he called my name, so I thought they spelled my name wrong in the book, when I looked it was clearly spelled FISH. Don't even get me started on the people that say, "You mean Fisher?" Acting like I don't know my own name.

My wife knew someone named Ding Dong, poor guy.

[YoungDr3amer]

they wont admit it but a theres some parts of texas who are really against other race (blacks, etc)

Try the entire country.

There are so many examples of severe racial profiling in the United States, I wouldn't even know where to begin.

[bobbings]

Be like the movie Men in Black. Name everyone with just 1 letter. Hi, I'm K and you must be J!

Maybe that lady politician was looking at a list of Chinese names actually written in Chinese. That is why she proposed the name change.

Someone mentioned about the shame in Chinese people for changing their names from Chinese to a western name like Dave or Steve but isn't translating the Chinese name to Alphabets changing it already?

My grandmother actually signs her documents in Chinese. lol

[FerrisB]

How is it that you can picture exactly what she looks like without seeing her.

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CWMzwqCVq04/SI0nFZXKl7I/AAAAAAAAB2s/8K4f8NtG0AE/s400/State+Rep+Betty+Brown.jpg

Yep, nailed it.

[Magoo]

I'll change my name to Diu Lasing...

Easier?

don't forget Diu La Ma

[ullyeus]

I wonder if an American moved to an Asian country if they would be willing to change their last name....


(btw: I would be willing to)

[kitty]

Isn't the problem really the fact that the English language doesn't have the appropriate letters to tell the "reader" how to form their mouth to produce the sounds used in foreign language names?

So really, it's the English-language that's deficient. The 26 letters available used can only be used to produce a fraction of the sounds that can be produced by the human speech process.

Take that, Betty Brown. :cheesygri

[hagbard]

They'd better learn to speak the language of their new overlords. Something like "do you want extra shine on those shoes" in Mandarin. :o

[Jon Lai]

Isn't the problem really the fact that the English language doesn't have the appropriate letters to tell the "reader" how to form their mouth to produce the sounds used in foreign language names?

So really, it's the English-language that's deficient. The 26 letters available used can only be used to produce a fraction of the sounds that can be produced by the human speech process.

Take that, Betty Brown. :cheesygri
+1, English is far from perfect. Heck, French is better, with their marked accents.

[dragon_drift]

I'll change my name to Diu Lasing...

Easier?

Hum Ga-Ling =P

[Mr Nobody]

I dont think that "Kevin" is hard to pronounce.


David and Linda are actually very easy to pronounce.


I think Micheal, Kevin ,Anthony, Stephanie, Lisa, and Katherine (Kathy) are pretty simple to pronounce.


Is there really a point to posting a joke that has been posted twice already?

You guys lost me on this joke. :confused:


Didn't Nicholas Cage name his son Kal-El? As far as I know he isn't Cantonese.


Is he native to Krypton?

Nic Cage is a Superman fan. He named his kid after Superman's Kryptonian name. How is Kal-El Cantonese?

[YoungDr3amer]

Nic Cage is a Superman fan. He named his kid after Superman's Kryptonian name. How is Kal-El Cantonese?

I think they're referring to his nationality.

Nicolas Cage's child is half-chinese or korean?

[Setz]

I wonder if an American moved to an Asian country if they would be willing to change their last name....


(btw: I would be willing to)

What is the Chinese equivalent of "Robert"? I'd change my name to be more azn in a heartbeat.

[Mr Nobody]

I think they're referring to his nationality.

Nicolas Cage's child is half-chinese or korean?

Oh okay. The poster's two sentences together implied that somehow Kal-El resembled a Cantonese name. :)

[thendless]

You guys lost me on this joke. :confused:


They are referring to the fact that a great deal of Asians in North America already have Anglicized names.

Maybe Betty wants us to change our names to Jim-Bob or Billy-Bob to be more in tune with the sOutH

[slowtyper]

I wonder if an American moved to an Asian country if they would be willing to change their last name....


(btw: I would be willing to)


It is pretty common for Westerners living in China to take on a Chinese name. Its not really changing your name, but just making up a new name to use on official documents and stuff. Some do it because they need one (those living there and doing business) and some do it just for fun. You can pretty much choose whatever you want.

[danfromwaterloo]

So, how many asians on here are going to change their name to something more American, like "Cowboy Baseball" or "Slutty Invader"?

[Menace]

What? Diu is a Lama??? Dalai Lama :)


don't forget Diu La Ma

[dontask]

Does the lawmaker mean the first name or last name?
If it's first name, then i guess it can be adapted, a lot of people do this anyways.

some asian last names are pretty hard to pronounce, especially ones with Z,Q or X's

i feel guilty calling someone WANG :cheesygri

Funny you said that. One of my friends has the same last name: WANG, but guess what his first name is...LONG ( mean 'dragon' in Chinese). No need to say he gained popularity among female co-workers in no time since he started working with us...