Document Type
Article
Publication Date
3-2026
Abstract
This paper investigates English name adoption by East Asian immigrants. Through the exploration of linguistic and cultural motivations behind English name choice (or lack thereof), we analyze how this practice relates to language, identity, and society, and how this phenomenon reflects broader issues of assimilation, globalization, and cross-cultural communication. The results gathered refute the common claim that English name adoption represents denial or loss of cultural identity; rather it primarily functions as a pragmatic tool for navigating multilingual and multicultural environments.
Dartmouth Digital Commons Citation
Chang, Claire and Olasoju, Emmanuel, "What's in a Name? Examining the Adoption of English Names by East Asian Immigrants" (2026). Research Papers and Posters from ASCL 60.20: Languages and Scripts of Gender, Class, and Nation. 7.
https://digitalcommons.dartmouth.edu/ascl_60-20/7
