AW HAW Moment

I was visiting with my supervisor a couple of weeks ago about how to put together the final for my class.  Afterwards we were just talking.  She asked me how Americans choose their names for their children.  So I explained that many just choose a name that they like.  Some will choose a family name or they might choose a name from a person that was prominent--such as a bible name.  But generally, the names are not chosen for any meaning.  She explained to me that in China, the names they choose always have meaning.  For example, if you are born on National Day (October 1) your parent's would probably name you the name of that holiday.  So in English it would be "national day".  Interesting!  She said there are many Chinese whose names are that holiday.  A little strange but I get it.  So my aw-haw moment came as she explained this.  That is why many of my students have such strange English names.  They have chosen a name (more like a word) that has meaning to them.  So the girl Kim had last year whose name was Purple was probably because she liked the color purple.  And Lilac likes lilacs.  And the same with Lemon, Orange, Crayon, Coco, Seven, Mint, Clover, Fancy, Royal White and the many others that have names that are just words.  That doesn't verify why Dylan had originally chosen Satan to be his name, though.  Or why there was Poison in Kim's class or Lucifer that I have this year.  Royal White chose his name because he thinks it's funny. ????  Jankin Shi?  I haven't figured that one out yet.  The students all laugh when I call on him in class.  For some reason they ALL think his name is funny.  I don't know.   Dylan, however, was different.  He was in my class last year.  He said to me, "I know who Satan is but I don't believe in him.  So I think it is okay to use his name.  But would that name be offensive to some people in America?  Is it offensive to you?"  At first I thought about just telling him it was fine, but then I thought about it some more and told him that it was a bit of an offensive name.  He immediately changed it.  I love that kid and still have contact with him occasionally.  Lucifer on the other hand is in my class this year and he is still Lucifer.  I often think I'll have a talk with him about changing his name but as of yet I haven't.  I'm mostly worried that he wouldn't understand what I'm talking about.  His English is one of the worst in all of my classes.   Kim had a talk with Poison and he changed his name to Tanner.  Good Decision Poison!

I love teaching these kids and I love learning new things about them and their culture.  It was a great conversation I had with Billie that day.  Eric was there too and another Professor that I didn't know.  I wish I could remember all the conversation because it was enlightening.  Haha!  But not so much that it stayed with me.