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HelpRainbow
One of my colleagues asked a Chinese girl in her class using the name Rainbow as her English name to change it because it "wasn't a name." While I wouldn't use Rainbow and I find it slightly silly, I don't think it's unusable (and I've seen Chinese students with way more ridiculous English names, like Shoulder and Pineapple). I even like it in a GP-ish way, I'd use it on a pet, for instance.
Thoughts?
"We have to live without sympathy, don't we? That's impossible of course. We act it to one another, all this hardness; but we aren't like that really, I mean...one can't be out in the cold all the time; one has to come in from the cold...d'you see what I mean?”
John LeCarré
Thoughts?
"We have to live without sympathy, don't we? That's impossible of course. We act it to one another, all this hardness; but we aren't like that really, I mean...one can't be out in the cold all the time; one has to come in from the cold...d'you see what I mean?”
John LeCarré
Archived Thread - replies disabled
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Replies
I think it was a bit harsh too. It's a name, if a fairly unusual one. Agree that it's slightly silly, but also nice in a GP way.
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It's kind of sweet and I can see the appeal in it. I mean, who doesn't like rainbows?
I saw your the teacher who complained is British. It would raise a few eyebrows here, I think it's only given to a handful of babies each year, but it's not the weirdest name ever! I think your colleague is being a bit harsh in complaining!
I'd use it on a pet too, not a first name. It's a bit of a guilty pleasure of mine.
I saw your the teacher who complained is British. It would raise a few eyebrows here, I think it's only given to a handful of babies each year, but it's not the weirdest name ever! I think your colleague is being a bit harsh in complaining!
I'd use it on a pet too, not a first name. It's a bit of a guilty pleasure of mine.
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It's a name. I really like it.
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I'd assume your colleague doesn't take word names seriously and/or wanted the girl to know some people wouldn't take it seriously, which is true.
I'd rather meet a Rainbow than a Debbie or an Ashley, though, and it's got usable NNs like Rain / Raine and Bo (which could be Chinese, so I see the appeal).
I'd rather meet a Rainbow than a Debbie or an Ashley, though, and it's got usable NNs like Rain / Raine and Bo (which could be Chinese, so I see the appeal).
This message was edited 4/29/2017, 4:00 PM
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FWIW she's British, and British teachers are supposedly stricter with names.
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There is actually a woman at my work with this name, but honestly I think it's pretty ridiculous.
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Your colleague is being a prig. I've personally encountered at least three women named Rainbow in my life. That's more Rainbows than I've met Adelaides. More Rainbows than Vanessas, even.
This message was edited 4/29/2017, 1:56 PM
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LOL, she's British, and we think that's why she made a big deal.
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So a teacher asked a student to change the name they were using. Um, that's crossing a line.
Rainbow isn't even that crazy as a name, actually. I don't like it, but I could see it in use here and there. I know of a girl whose middle name is Raynebeau.
Also, I know a Chinese student whose English name is Whisky. lol.
Rainbow isn't even that crazy as a name, actually. I don't like it, but I could see it in use here and there. I know of a girl whose middle name is Raynebeau.
Also, I know a Chinese student whose English name is Whisky. lol.
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I used to have Rainbow on my GP list, but then decided I prefer Rain as a middle and Beau for a boy. For me it was mostly that as lovely an image as a rainbow is, it's way too sweet and childish. I agree it's perfect for a pet.
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Rainbow is really corny.
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I went to school with a girl named Rainbow. She was a few grades below me. Her sister was Dellah. I know an Asian lady named Snow.
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If the student is using an English name during English classes, it doesn't matter so much, but since she is supposed to be learning English and all the nuances of it, she should understand that while Rainbow COULD be a name, and sometimes is, it isn't the usual thing. Ditto for Pineapple and Shoulder; these absolutely are not names.
If she is using the name in hopes of getting ahead in business in the western world, then, again, she should know that Rainbow isn't usually a given name and is not something most western adults would take seriously.
In high school language classes, we often chose French/Spanish?German names to use in class. I highly doubt anybody would be permitted to be called by the teacher anything like Wienerschnitzel, Bicyclette or Pistola.
If she is using the name in hopes of getting ahead in business in the western world, then, again, she should know that Rainbow isn't usually a given name and is not something most western adults would take seriously.
In high school language classes, we often chose French/Spanish?German names to use in class. I highly doubt anybody would be permitted to be called by the teacher anything like Wienerschnitzel, Bicyclette or Pistola.
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I don't know this specific student really well, but I don't think she's preparing to do business with foreigners or go abroad.
The general thought amongst people who teach Chinese students is to be strict on names if you're preparing them to go, say, on exchange programmes abroad, otherwise, not so much. Many students don't seem to take their English names very seriously, more like nicknames. A student would have picked something really out of line for me to say something, it's a matter of picking your battles I guess.
The general thought amongst people who teach Chinese students is to be strict on names if you're preparing them to go, say, on exchange programmes abroad, otherwise, not so much. Many students don't seem to take their English names very seriously, more like nicknames. A student would have picked something really out of line for me to say something, it's a matter of picking your battles I guess.
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