How sinologists choose their Chinese names

Indian Sinologist Madhurendra Jha. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Madhurendra Jha, assistant professor of Chinese Language and Literature, Doon University, India.

My Chinese is Mao Duliang (茅篤亮). It was given to me by my professor Priyadarsi Mukherji, Professor in Chinese Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University in India. It is important to me as the Chinese friends feel more close to me when I tell them my Chinese name and it also brings me culturally closer to China. I use it in my email signature and in all my interactions with Chinese friends.

I think that in choosing a Chinese name both translation and transliteration are very important. The name should convey the meaning of your original name and also have Chinese characteristics.

I personally feel names which are directly transliterated don't carry the same cultural familiarity. So a good way for the Sinologists will be to consult Chinese friends to understand if the sound and meaning of their name is Chinese enough or not.