A PRAGMATIC STUDY OF CHINESE NAMING SYSTEM IN INDONESIA: FACTS, INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL INFLUENCES

Abstract

Chinese ethnics are spread across the world. Indonesia is one of many countries with a number of Chinese inhabitants throughout generations. Chinese-Indonesian are those who also apply the Chinese naming system following their ancestors. The naming system is not only unique in identifying the tribal identity but it may also tell many aspects in it. The Chinese naming system is also used to identify gender, a certain tribal group, generation and hope. Despite the stable system, external and internal influences have affected the consistency of the commitment to obey the standardized pattern. The influences to mention are Western culture, religion, politics and practicality which are triggered by modernity, government and education. This study is to see the current of Chinese naming system in general practice and the reasons why the naming system is slowly abandoned. This study shows that Chinese Indonesians still have the Chinese names even are not used in legal papers. They still hold the traditions and belief despite the influence of politic, education, religions and modernity. The using of Indonesian and Western names instead of Chinese names are gestures of modernity, obedience to Indonesian identity, religion, cultural assimilation and practicality.