A potential employer is going to apply for a work permit for me – however they say I must have a Chinese name for even applying.
I find this odd, and would rather not pick a name on the spot (or worse yet, let my employer’s HR lady just scribble down one on the wp application!). Does anyone know if a Chinese name is required to get a work permit? Considering trying without one, but it would be a pity to get turned down on such a silly thing…
First: I have no idea if you MUST have a Chinese name.
But if you do, find a list of Chinese surnames, locate a name that sounds similar to the first initial of your surname (lastname) which will be your “first” name in Chinese.
Do the same for your given name (a lot of foreigners use two characters/symbols for this one).
Then ask a Chinese friend (or 2 or 3) if your name sounds ridiculous or not.
Either way, having a Chinese name ain’t a bad idea in a Chinese country…
When I first acquired an ARC it did not have my Chinese name on it. I added it later because it made some things more convenient, such as depositing checks from my company, which kept making them out using my Mandarin name instead of my real name. That was about 15 years ago.
So although it may not be mandatory to have a Chinese name, perhaps your employer is similar to mine, in which case you may find that without such a name simple things like getting paid will be difficult. Regardless, you’re right not to want a name someone makes up on the spot for you. Enlist the help of some native speakers – and be sure to try the name out on still more native speakers.