Ian Ma Way

Pronounced ‘ma-way’ in Chinese this is the best translation into English that this mob could come up with. See exhibit below.

When quizzed, my Chinese colleagues said “it’s very similar, very similar”.

Even the linguist that translated my name on my business card said so.

I’ve got four very different Chinese characters to their two.

My translator, when forced to concentrate on the issue, had to admit that there was a discrepancy with respect to the missing X’s and L’s in the original Chinese pronunciation.

“But it doesn’t matter. Very similar, very similar”.

I thought about suggesting that he try dropping the S and N from Shen and seeing how that worked out for him.

But at that point, I had no option but to shake my head and drop the subject.

They just can’t be arsed finding fault with something that doesn’t matter.

The only down side to this is that, lacking practise, when they do encounter critique they aren’t very good at spotting bullshit.