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Eh, that's nothing to fear. xd Their names will be bastardized by anyone who doesn't speak Vietnamese, and the same goes for mine. Even saying that my name is pronounced "ivy" is just an English bastardization, but it's no big deal - nobody will get it if I say, "No, there's an intonation dip on the 'ai' and the stress goes on the 'vi'." Honestly, unless you grew up with your ears trained to recognize the intonations, you won't be able to hear the difference.

But I could care less about that, it's doesn't bother me... What bothers me is people naming their child a name they don't know how to say. Even if you're a non-English speaker trying to give your kid an English name.

That's just how I feel though; I have no say in how other people want to live their lives, but I'm not going to give my child some exotic Spanish or Japanese name because it "sounds cool".

Why is it that the only people who like me are annoying people.

******** girls. ******** the drama, ******** the mixed signals, ******** it ALL.

Damn, more soup requires going upstairs. But it's such delicious soup.

Well that kind of bastaration I can't avoid, because I'm american.
I'd at least try not to bastardize it too much, but it would be easier on me if I heard it said rather then trying to figure out myself. sweatdrop

If I were to marry and have kids names would differ on who I have them with.
But say I have them with a white gel, I'd go with an old english first name, and a common easy middle name to use mostly as they're growing up.
But it also varies on what her surname would be. If it's better then a generic bland name as Reeves I'd be willing to take her last name. xp

I guess I just like to make it difficult. lol xp

But yeah I agree I wouldn't name my kids a foreign name just because it "sounds cool".
I'd only use a foreign name if that's part of their nationality.
I mean I could give them a spanish name, because I'm part hispanic, but I won't unless their mother is more hispanic then I am.
Because simply put, even though I'm mixed I'm still a white boy. sweatdrop

Gah, I'm going to be spending more money on my ticket to Prom than I did on my actual dress. xD

Adam, I miss you so much. Come back from Colorado. ; ;

But I'm American too. xd


I realize that I seem extremely territorial about "my" culture... And it's odd that I feel so strongly about the preservation of culture when I usually welcome change. But it's much bigger than what-I-name-my-kid or how-people-say-my-name; I just vent and complain about the petty things. What I'm really concerned about is people taking meaningful things to dumb down and wear as fashion accessories. And that happens all the time in our society, where everybody is striving to be a unique individual.

Take music for instance. When you hear "music" what do you think of? Your iPod. The music you listen to is your accessory and a declaration of your individuality - because THAT'S how it's been marketed at us all. Since when did we all have to pay so much to enjoy music? The big guys have capitalized on it and convinced us that we must pay for something that's free. Everyone can sing. Everyone can dance. And yet we've all become so self-conscious about being amateurs - when we think of "musicians" we only think of gigging/paid people, and don't consider ourselves capable musicians.

If you like another culture, then whatever. If you want to name your kid "Mitsuko" or "Quynh Anh" because it means a lot to you then fine, do it. But don't do it because it'll make you feel good for "owning" something unique.

And you can't blame me; we've all experienced this trendy Asiaphilia, whether it's an obsession with anime, Gwen Stefani's Harajuku-inspired products, Chinese letters on a shirt or necklace you bought, the many guys who've ever said to you "you're hot... I have an Asian fetish!", little girls screaming "Japanese singers are soooo cute!" ...Bamboo furniture and a random Buddha sitting around for your apartment's oriental "zen garden" theme.

I have no problem people with liking another culture; but I have a huge problem with cultures being exploited and marketed to a crowd that doesn't know any better than to objectify it. And when something meaningful like a Buddha or someone's name is dumbed down for a consumer to use as an accessory, or a way of saying "hey I'm not racist! I own Asian things!" don't expect me to smile and admire you for being oh-so-cultured and modern.