Exploring Intercultural Identity: Four Voices

By Shu October 3, 2011

Posted in 2011 The Gnovis Blog  |  Tagged Chinese name, collectivismm, cultural comparison, identity, individualism

This is the second part of a four part series. In the first installment, Katerina interpreted the Bulgarian concept of location. Today, Shu Hu will trace the convention of Chinese names to identity formation and cultural values. 
A question for all the newcomers: what do you do most during the first month in your new school? Yes, self-introductions.
You may not consider it as an issue. However, in the tradition of Chinese name (new window)s, people always put their family name in front of the given name, which is the other way around when compared to the case in many Western countries. For instance, my name under the title appears as “Shu Hu”, but in fact, nobody speaks or writes my name like this in China. Instead, “Hu Shu” is the normal form since Hu is my family name and Shu is my given name. While do in Rome as a Roman does, I adjust the habit as I am now in the U.S.
However, at stake is not only the matter of order of name, so too is the matter of cultural differences, which deserve to be explored. Since names are regarded as one’s most frequently-used identity, the order of names reveal the distinct value systems between China and the United States. Let’s first think about why a full name consists of family name and a given name. Considering this from a semiotic point of view, the family name, which is perpetually carried forward by family members generation after generation, represents that one is the descendent of his/her blood relatives, a symbol of belonging. On the contrary, the given name, which is first given by eldership, but can be changed afterwards, represents the individual’s uniqueness from others, a symbol of individuality. It’s not irrational to assume that arranging the given name in front of the family name, Americans value one’s individuality more than belonging, while totally reversely, the Chinese think the symbol of family (new window) comes first.
Here comes the significant cultural shock between the U.S. and China: individualism vs. collectivism. Are you curious about the historical origin of the different value systems of the two countries?
We all know how U.S. history was built step-by-step. Discovered by Columbus, a combination of courage and intelligence, the North America continent originally conceived the spirit of individuality. Seeking the religious freedom for their own, the first 102 immigrants carried by the Mayflower disembarked at Plymouth, with the Mayflower Compact, which lay the foundation of the future values of United States. Including the American Revolution War and the abolition of slavery, historical events of the U.S. hard difficult to detached from individualism.

Yu the Great, a legendary ruler of Ancient China, controls the water