| In the Oxford University dining hall (the setting reminded me of Harry Potter movies), I sat next to John Oliver, an English professor. I said I didn’t know such a family name until meeting you now. He smiled.
“English family names often named after their professionals. Carpenter for woodworkers, Potter for porcelain workers, Smith for iron shops, etc. As for my family name, my ancestors grew olive as a way of making a living, so they called them Oliver.” He explained and then asked about my name.
“Trinity,” I said.
“Not an English name, but your Chinese name. What does it mean?” He was curious, looking locked-up at my eyes, to know genuinely.
“Aha. That’s a long story!” I got through all of these below: 赵元任、周有光,改革汉字用26个英文字母拼音简化, 用26个英文字母拼音而非取代方块汉字一字形具义寓意。香港人的神翻译: "黄豆腐" for wonderful, "蛇佬" for sir (policeman), 脱囗秀 for talk show, Good morning 古的猫铃 (早安) Good evening 古的衣服铃 (晚安) How are you? 好阿油 (你好) wonderful 黄豆腐 (很好) Thank You 三九 (谢谢你) just a moment 杰士的摸闷特 (等一等) I am sorry, I can only speak a little English (对不起，我只能讲简单的英语) 俺么搔瑞，挨坎翁累丝鼻科额累偷 ... |
