Okay, I’m working on this character who, as the title suggests, is Wasian (half-Taiwanese, to be exact). I have two surnames in mind. [name_f]My[/name_f] dilemma, if that’s what you want to call it, is that I’m not sure which one is more “appropriate,” for lack of a better term (hence the speech marks). If I go for the whiter surname, people may overlook his Taiwanese heritage, but if I choose the Taiwanese surname, I’m worried his name will become laughable (I’m thinking of something like [name_m]Ethan[/name_m] or Eli-something along those lines. IDK why either).
I know this might come off as kind of silly, as there are real-life Wasian people who fall into one of these categories, but it’s been bugging me for a while.
On a similar note, are there any particular Taiwanese customs/traditions I should be aware of? I know I could just Google this stuff, but I want to check with real people so I know I’m on the right track.
I don’t know why using a Taiwanese surname would be laughable?
And either option would be “appropriate” for the situation. If you want to emphasize his Taiwanese heritage, it makes sense to choose a surname common in Taiwan. However, giving him a European surname makes equal sense as long as you clarify elsewhere that the character is half Taiwanese. It also might make sense to consider which of his parents is of which ethnic background. Since most children take their father’s surname, it would make sense to give him a surname from his father’s background. Of course people take their mother’s name sometimes too, but since it’s not considered the “default” it might need to be explained.
A final option is to hyphenate two surnames, one from each culture.
I meant it would be “laughable” as he has a fairly white first name. I didn’t want people to think I was taking the piss. Sorry for not elaborating, and thanks for commenting!