We Japanese write our surname first and given name after when we write our name in Japanese.
Soon after we enter Junior High, we are taught in the first English class that we have to write our given name first and
surname after when we write our name in English. We have no doubts about that “rule” at that time. We Japanese usually
write our given name first when we write using Roman letters.
Long after I had learnt this, I heard that only the Japanese exchanged surname and given name when we signed or introduced
our names in English. Chinese or Koreans didn’t do this. Then, when I was going to sign my name in my passport for the
first time, I wondered how to sign my name. However, all Japanese without exception were used to exchanging our names in
English, and this unique custom was probably widely known to foreigners. So, I signed my given name first in my passport.
About that time, I noticed that in only one weekly magazine, nude models’ names were written in Japanese order.
About 10 years ago, a lecturer wrote as follows in a NHK textbook for English conversation:
“Recently,
it is being discussed how to write our name in English. But it is a matter of course that we must write our given name first
in English because we must follow in the custom of the English-speaking world. ・・・“
As soon as I had read this opinion, I believed that he never exchanged English names in Japanese order when he translated
English to Japanese. English teachers often declare such inconsistent opinions.
I sent letters to China, Korea and Taiwan seven or eight years ago. Then I wrote letters in English and signed my surname
first according to their customary order. When I received a reply, I felt that a proportion of them mistook my surname and
given name, and noticed that anyone might write their surname second when they wrote a letter to a Japanese in English.
Several years ago, the Japanese Language Council proposed that we had to write our names in Japanese order even if we
wrote them in English. I felt why now? They’ve changed too late!
I don’t know how many people write their names according to Japanese order after that proposal. Regarding myself, I write
my given name first in Roman letters even today. (July, ’04. Malandro )
Soon after we enter Junior High, we are taught in the first English class that we have to write our given name first and
surname after when we write our name in English. We have no doubts about that “rule” at that time. We Japanese usually
write our given name first when we write using Roman letters.
Long after I had learnt this, I heard that only the Japanese exchanged surname and given name when we signed or introduced
our names in English. Chinese or Koreans didn’t do this. Then, when I was going to sign my name in my passport for the
first time, I wondered how to sign my name. However, all Japanese without exception were used to exchanging our names in
English, and this unique custom was probably widely known to foreigners. So, I signed my given name first in my passport.
About that time, I noticed that in only one weekly magazine, nude models’ names were written in Japanese order.
About 10 years ago, a lecturer wrote as follows in a NHK textbook for English conversation:
“Recently,
it is being discussed how to write our name in English. But it is a matter of course that we must write our given name first
in English because we must follow in the custom of the English-speaking world. ・・・“
As soon as I had read this opinion, I believed that he never exchanged English names in Japanese order when he translated
English to Japanese. English teachers often declare such inconsistent opinions.
I sent letters to China, Korea and Taiwan seven or eight years ago. Then I wrote letters in English and signed my surname
first according to their customary order. When I received a reply, I felt that a proportion of them mistook my surname and
given name, and noticed that anyone might write their surname second when they wrote a letter to a Japanese in English.
Several years ago, the Japanese Language Council proposed that we had to write our names in Japanese order even if we
wrote them in English. I felt why now? They’ve changed too late!
I don’t know how many people write their names according to Japanese order after that proposal. Regarding myself, I write
my given name first in Roman letters even today. (July, ’04. Malandro )
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