One more thing: the reason behind the fact that one-syllable names sound so weird to Chinese ears is that the language is so context-dependent. You can never, for anything, just use one syllable, because it is not unique. There are only so few syllables (and so many words!), and thus it is impossible to decide on a meaning from just one syllable.
So pretty much all the words are two-syllable (and if they aren't, people will put two syllables with the same meaning together to form a two-syllable word). Unless they're in the context of a sentence and you can infer which "chang" is meant in this particular instance.
That was more confusing than enlightening, wasn't it... sorry?
In summary: Chinese don't like one-syllable things, and that includes names. :)
no subject
I think naye's one post links pru's twitter thread, but in case it doesn't, here's another direct link:
https://twitter.com/oftenimprudent/status/1027305362335195137
One more thing: the reason behind the fact that one-syllable names sound so weird to Chinese ears is that the language is so context-dependent. You can never, for anything, just use one syllable, because it is not unique. There are only so few syllables (and so many words!), and thus it is impossible to decide on a meaning from just one syllable.
So pretty much all the words are two-syllable (and if they aren't, people will put two syllables with the same meaning together to form a two-syllable word). Unless they're in the context of a sentence and you can infer which "chang" is meant in this particular instance.
That was more confusing than enlightening, wasn't it... sorry?
In summary: Chinese don't like one-syllable things, and that includes names. :)