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Western names in Japan

  • 06-04-2008 7:32am
    #1
    corblimey
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,475 ✭✭✭


    My name is Michael. Say I was to go over to Japan and introduce myself to Japanese people. Would I use the name 'Michael' or a Japanafied version of it, like 'Michaeru'? For some reason, I think using 'Michaeru' is slightly racist, bordering on the whole 'flied lice' thing, but that's probably just my inbuilt white guy guilt. Any tips?


Comments

  • #2
    giddyup
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 433 ✭✭giddyup


    corblimey wrote: »
    My name is Michael. Say I was to go over to Japan and introduce myself to Japanese people. Would I use the name 'Michael' or a Japanafied version of it, like 'Michaeru'? For some reason, I think using 'Michaeru' is slightly racist, bordering on the whole 'flied lice' thing, but that's probably just my inbuilt white guy guilt. Any tips?

    There's no reason why you would not just use the normal pronunciation. It would be strange to try to pronounce it as a Japanese person might. They will inevitably do that for you and may add a -san. Mikeuru-san is my best stab at what you'll get.


  • #3
    Dont be at yourself
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,592 ✭✭✭✭Dont be at yourself


    I'd tend to introduce myself as Burendan as opposed to Brendan, but that's just me. Also, be sure not to use -san when referring to yourself!


  • #4
    corblimey
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,475 ✭✭✭corblimey


    giddyup wrote: »
    There's no reason why you would not just use the normal pronunciation. It would be strange to try to pronounce it as a Japanese person might. They will inevitably do that for you and may add a -san. Mikeuru-san is my best stab at what you'll get.
    That's what I thought, but introducing myself:
    Watashi wa Michael desu
    just sounds weird. Also, I wouldn't be able to spell it without 'translating' it to Japanese


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