This Chinese decree probably had at least several English-derived words in its text.

Next thing you know, the Chinese will ban all foreign inventions. That will be interesting: no internal combustion motors, no pumps, no computers, no internet, no ice, no phones, no airplanes/copters, no guns, practically no musical instruments, no amplification, no traffic or electric lights, and no music other than banging cymbals and drums with an occasional bamboo flute playing a few notes.

as for adapting western names - it's just a sideline to the ridiculousness of Chinese authorities making such an asinine edict. If the Chinese had one politburo member with a lick of common sense, he/she'd be kicked out of the hallowed chamber.

This Chinese decree probably had at least several English-derived words in its text.

Next thing you know, the Chinese will ban all foreign inventions. That will be interesting: no internal combustion motors, no pumps, no computers, no internet, no ice, no phones, no airplanes/copters, no guns, practically no musical instruments, no amplification, no traffic or electric lights, and no music other than banging cymbals and drums with an occasional bamboo flute playing a few notes.

as for adapting western names - it's just a sideline to the ridiculousness of Chinese authorities making such an asinine edict. If the Chinese had one politburo member with a lick of common sense, he/she'd be kicked out of the hallowed chamber.

Just as BB surmises that they may have used English in their announcement (presumably because the French did) he has used Chinese inventions in his list!

no rockets, no guns,??????

What the Chinese are doing is trying to suppress the evolvement of their language - this is of course never 100% possible but it may help to slow it down.

*deleted*

This Chinese decree probably had at least several English-derived words in its text.

Next thing you know, the Chinese will ban all foreign inventions. That will be interesting: no internal combustion motors, no pumps, no computers, no internet, no ice, no phones, no airplanes/copters, no guns, practically no musical instruments, no amplification, no traffic or electric lights, and no music other than banging cymbals and drums with an occasional bamboo flute playing a few notes.

as for adapting western names - it's just a sideline to the ridiculousness of Chinese authorities making such an asinine edict. If the Chinese had one politburo member with a lick of common sense, he/she'd be kicked out of the hallowed chamber.

You feel that way because you are an English speaker and on the easy side of the fence. Typical ignorance of English speakers continually raises it's nasty head.

What about the Chinese using English names? Anyone who has done business in China probably has business cards of Chinese business people with English names. I was told it was for the benefit of foreigners because apparently we couldn't pronounce their names. In addition to names like Sophia, Nikki, Christy, Scarlett I met a couple Rambos.

Correct and it became fashion in Hong Kong, when it was a colony of the British, to use English names. Most Chinese names are indeed difficult to pronounce and it's also common now on the mainland for those who are in contact with foreigners, whether private or business. The rest (majority) doesn't bother to have English names.

LaoPo