 August 2010 By Gordon Wong What’s in a name? The early Chinese immigrants in New Zealand came mostly from the south of China, principally Guangdong (Kwangtung) province. These immigrants referred to a phonetic translation of New Zealand in Cantonese ‘Nau Sei Lan’. The New Zealand Chinese Association (NZCA), established as an incorporated society in 1935, adopted this translation (shown above). The NZCA conference this year, discussed a motion to amend the name of NZCA to include the name of New Zealand currently used by China, ‘Xin Xi Lan’ (Sun Sei Lan in Cantonese). ‘Xin’ is a literal translation of ‘New’. The motion was rejected to retain 75 years of tradition. The historical name gives a small amount of recognition to the Chinese people of many generations who have built the complex and rapidly changing Chinese community we have today. If you are a New Zealander of Chinese descent, you may come from a variety of backgrounds:
The more recent immigrants, who mainly speak the Chinese national language (Mandarin) refer to New Zealand as ‘Xin Xi Lan’. | 紐西蘭華聯總會 Nau Sei Lan Wah Leun Jung Woy (Cantonese) Niǔ Xie Lan Huá Lián Zǒng Huì (Mandarin)
New Zealand, abbr. for China, united/to join, chief/head, association/assemble (English translation)
NB: The Chinese name of OSCA (Otago and Southland Chinese Association) also contains a mixture of phonetic and literal translation 歐他哠修付崙華聯會 Ou Ta Go Sou Fu Lun Wah Luen Woy (Cantonese) Otago, Southland, abbr. for China, united/to join, association/assemble (English translation) You can find a more detailed account of New Zealand Chinese immigration in Dr James Ng’s article at: |
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