Naming conventions
24/04/2005
Happy Birthday GW!
Happy Birthday to Siginah, who always sees it coming. He shares a birthday with another favourite person of mine, my (fat) brother.
My brother and I, 1979
My brother and I bear little physical resemblance to each other, it’s probably an indication of what little we share in common. The story goes, my brother was really excited to finally be a brother way back then. He was about 5, and had enough of hanging out alone. When I was born, he even got to pick my name. Notice how other siblings have similar names – whether it’s Chinese names (same middle name) or a common theme in the names (they start with E, or K or whatever) – my brother and I have drastically different names. I was the only girl in the extended family so I didn’t get to share the same Chinese character in my name. My parents didn’t go with a theme for our names either, so while my brother has a nice, well thought of name, I got a lock, stock, mass-produced, off the shelf Chinese name.
Inadvertently my brother has helped shape my life somewhat. It’s always easier being the youngest one (doubly so as a girl) in the family, mostly because any expectations my parents have are carried on the shoulders of a) the male heir and b) the eldest. I don’t have to set an example, I just have to match or supercede. The only thing I really had to contend with growing up was mostly of the “girls don’t do/say that” category which I dismissed with “if Gor can, why can’t I”. That still doesn’t explain my fondness for expletives in my language, though, because my brother hardly swears (unless he’s driving), but I got by anyhow. I pretty much, if I so wish, get to pick any job I want, decide not to get married or have kids, live away from home, get away with loads of things Chinese families usually categorically frown on simply because my brother did all the right things.
I’d declare 24 April Eldest Sibling Day but I won’t attempt to speak for every other younger sibling in the world. Instead, I’ll expend my will and energy into resisting the urge to bake my brother a cake so he might actually enjoy his birthday today.
Happy Birthday GW!
