Comments on: What’s in a name? EVERYTHING – Cho Seung-Hui vs. Seung-Hui Cho

By: Dr X

Dr X — Mon, 23 Apr 2007 20:17:24 +0000

I just want to add that the expression from Shakespeare that you are drawing upon when you ask, “what’s in a name?” is the prelude to explaining that absolutely nothing is in a name. A rose by any other name would smell as sweet… It is the quality of the thing, its heart rather than its name, that matters, says Shakespeare.

By: Dr X

Dr X — Mon, 23 Apr 2007 20:13:16 +0000

I wondered about this, but frankly I could find no information on how it would be proper to refer to Mr. Cho in my blog. To assume that the mistake arises simply because people are lazy or indifferent is rather self-centered. Navigating cultural and linguistic differences in a society that includes individuals from all over the world is bound to be frought with errors that are not errors of the heart but simple errors in knowledge.

My own last name, which is southern european, was frequently mangled by people in the predominantly Irish-American middle class community I grew up in… even after I would repeatedly correct them. I can’t even begin to tell you the mangling of my name I regularly get from Asian immigrants.

In the end, I don’t read much of anything into it. There are more important things in this world, such as the quality of a person’s heart, to worry about.

By: Paula Neal Mooney

Paula Neal Mooney — Mon, 23 Apr 2007 16:26:39 +0000

I noticed that too.

Good thing I went with the Boston Globe’s order of Cho’s name, which I’m assuming is correct, per your post.

Thanks and be blessed,
PAULA NEAL MOONEY: Was Seung-Hui Cho a Christian? Demon Possessed?

By: Jenny

Jenny — Mon, 23 Apr 2007 14:46:03 +0000

We did about ‘Cho Seung-Hui’ in my R.S class that I just got back from, it was very bad. :-/

Everyone had their facts wrong and were referring him to “as that Chinese” so I got a little annoyed at that and got yelled at for interrupting.

So, although it mayn’t be something we should lose sleep over.. it’s still a fact. And the fact is that the killer’s name isn’t Cho Seung-Hui.

.. must be quite annoying for him now that’s he dead to be remembered as someone else.

By: Seung Cho

Seung Cho — Mon, 23 Apr 2007 14:25:38 +0000

Well the kid never talked to anyone, supposedly, so he never really let people know what or how he wishes to be called/addressed. His parents probably jus called him Seung-Hui ya. So my affirmation is that as long as Wikipedia calls him correctly (meaning a consistency of name placements among other names), I wouldn’t feel so bugged. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virginia_Tech_massacre and you can check his name too.
I prefer his last name first only because it sounds more Korean and said more naturally than Seung-Hui Cho. Its either Seung Cho or JoSungHui, follow me? Like to say his name choseunghui sounds more naturally said than saying seunghuicho, because seungcho would be more acceptable.
And plus the kid was born and raised initially as a korean. he probably got picked on as a fob. 8 years old when he moved here? thats like what 3rd grade?

http://www.squidoo.com/Cho-Seung-Hui

Obviously his parents would wish for the media to switch it up. How much shame would that bring your family name if your last name was flashed as Cho Did It!. You know all the Chos are feeling a lil weird these days.

By: rom

rom — Mon, 23 Apr 2007 14:11:23 +0000

I can understand where your coming from when someone says something in correct in the media that it is annoying. However, it seems kind of unimportant in light of the situation. I am sure it is due to unfamiliarity, and a rush to get something out. Also after a name sticks, it is hard to go back and change everything out of confusion to the listener. Besides I know a lot of people non-asian descent who call each other by their last names. I guess I am saying it is annoying, but not something that you should lose sleep over…