Discussion questions on Names
  1. Think about what meanings English personal names have and how significant they are in people's lives.


  2. In any culture, it seems that male names and female names are distinguished. Is there any systematic principle in distinguishing male names and female names?

  3. In English names, in what way do Thomas, Tom, and Tommy differ one another?

    What are the relevant pragmatic meanings underlying different "deviational" forms of personal names in English? Do you sense the different pragmatic or emotive meaning differences among, say, full names such as Thomas and Pamela, nicknames such as Tom and Pam, and "affectionate nick-names such as Tommy and Pammy?


    4.
  4. How are the "milk names" or "small names" formed in Chinese and Korean?


    5.
  5. How are the -ie/y type first names in Engish compared to "milk name" or "small name" in Chinese and Korean?

  6. The meaings of personal names in Chinese and Korean are much more significant than in English?

  7. Consider 12 naming patterns for Chinese given names.

    We will compare them with the naming patterns in Korean.

    8. Think about how American Indian names are made: Cf. Dances With Wolves
  8. What are the four principles on which Chinese people base the selection of names for their children?


  9. Structure of personal names in Chinese and Korean.

  10. Customs on family names.

    Compare the customs of family names for women among English, Chinese, and Korean.