How sinologists choose their Chinese names

David Uher(right). [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

David Uher, assistant professor with Palacky University in Czech. His research areas include history of Chinese linguistics, Chinese graphology and modern Chinese Rhyme.

My Chinese name is 吳大偉 (Wu Dawei). It was given by my Chinese teacher in the Czech Republic for merely practical reasons. The sound system of my mother tongue is very different from Chinese. That is why it is not very convenient for Chinese to pronounce Czech words. That is what I mean by "merely practical reasons".

It is very practical for me during my stays in China. First, I like the idea that Chinese friends are talking to me forgetting that I am not a Chinese myself. Secondly, nobody likes to hear his name pronounced improperly, right? Well, I am getting used to it for almost thirty years. So I would say that I have gotten used to it. Consultations with native speakers are needed to pick a Chinese name. Otherwise, one can create a funny, senseless, obscure or even offensive one.