A Comparative Study Of Chinese Name And Thai Name

The name, as a means of communication that has developed to a degree of maturity, is a both social and cultural phenomenon. It satisfies the needs of networking, carries the abundant cultures of a nation, and embodies people’s desires and pursuits of different times. Once given a name, ones identity is integrated into the name. Thus in this sense, the name is the person himself. The close relationship between the person and the name goes beyond the restriction of time, space and the end of one’s life. The language of a nation is a cultural identity that conveys it’s complex value system. Likewise, the naming process contains a nation’s culture, morality, customs, history and many other ideological elements.Therefore, the Chinese and Thai names reflect the two cultures’traditions, social and historical back grands, and ethnic psychologies. The Chinese name demonstrates Chinese cultures, such as Confusion, the concept of Yin and Yang, and gender stereotypes. In comparison, the Thai name indicates Thai tradition such as Buddhism, zodiac zones, and social hierarchy. With the social and economic development, the Chinese name is likely to be featured with fewer one character and gender identities; while preserving their tradition of soliciting name from monks, the Thai people tend to personalize their names, under the influence of diverse cultures.