Latest news with #Anglicized
Wall Street Journal
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Wall Street Journal
Fiction: Susan Choi's ‘Flashlight'
Susan Choi's 'Flashlight' begins with a disappearance. It is 1978 and Serk Kang is taking a nighttime walk with his 10-year-old daughter, Louisa, on the breakwater near his seaside vacation house on Japan's western coast. Soon after, bystanders find Louisa soaking wet and unconscious on the shore. When she wakes she has no clear memory of what happened. There is no trace of her father. Serk, who could not swim, is officially declared dead from drowning, and Louisa is thought to have collapsed from shock and struck her head. But good novels rarely opt for the simple explanation when a complicated one is possible, so 'Flashlight' travels both back and far ahead in time to peel away at the mystery of Serk's fate. That mystery is satisfyingly layered, and Ms. Choi's excavations yield some of their richest material in answering the seemingly basic question: Who is Serk? Born and raised in Japan, Serk grew up believing himself to be a fully Japanese boy named Hiroshi. But when World War II ended, and with it Japanese imperial rule, his parents revealed that they are ethnic Koreans and that his given name is Seok. Lured by propaganda, his family then returned to North Korea, leaving Seok behind, where he was stripped of his citizenship—in 1952 Koreans in Japan were reclassified as resident aliens—and with it his career prospects. He immigrates to the U.S. and takes yet another identity: Serk, an approximate, Anglicized phonetic spelling of Seok, is a made-up name he can no more acclimate to than he can to his life abroad.
India.com
7 days ago
- General
- India.com
Gaya Is Now Gaya Ji...Check 10 Indian Cities Renamed In The Past And The Reason Behind The Same
photoDetails english 2909401 Updated:Jun 01, 2025, 02:12 PM IST Gaya Is Now 'Gaya Ji'... 1 / 11 A recent example is the renaming of Gaya in Bihar to "Gaya Ji." This movement is widespread, impacting both major cities and significant religious sites. The following provides an overview of some notable renaming and their underlying motivations. Gaya to Gaya Ji 2 / 11 The historic city of Gaya in Bihar, a significant pilgrimage site for hundreds of thousands of Hindu devotees annually, has officially been renamed 'Gaya Ji.' This change, recently approved by the state government, formalizes the name to reflect the deep reverence and spiritual importance already associated with the city, particularly in ancestral rituals. Gurgaon to Gurugram 3 / 11 In 2016, Gurgaon was officially renamed Gurugram, a change made to emphasize its mythological origins. Ancient texts suggest this land was a gift to Guru Dronacharya. While the city is now recognized for its rapid urban development, its new name serves as a reminder of its rich historical and cultural importance. Bombay to Mumbai 4 / 11 In 1996, Bombay was renamed Mumbai to honor the city's indigenous roots. The name "Mumbai" is derived from Mumba Devi, a local goddess revered by the Koli fishing community. This change also marked a significant step away from its colonial-era designation. Calcutta to Kolkata 5 / 11 In 2001, Calcutta was officially renamed Kolkata. This change was made to better align the city's name with its Bengali pronunciation and cultural identity. As a city renowned as India's intellectual hub, this renaming was part of a broader initiative to promote regional language and foster local pride. Mysore to Mysuru 6 / 11 In 2014, Mysore was officially renamed Mysuru. This change was made to better align with the Kannada language and to emphasize the region's rich mythological heritage. The name is deeply connected to the legend of Mahishasura and Goddess Chamundeshwari, who are central figures in local culture. Mangalore to Mangaluru 7 / 11 In 2014, the city's name officially transitioned from the Anglicized Mangalore to Mangaluru. This change, which stems from the goddess Mangaladevi, officially recognized the name long used by locals in the Kannada-speaking region. Bangalore to Bengaluru 8 / 11 In 2006, Bangalore, a city recognized globally for its thriving tech industry, was officially renamed Bengaluru. This change was enacted to honor the city's historical origins and revert to its original Kannada name, which dates back to the 9th century. Madras to Chennai 9 / 11 In 1996, Madras was renamed Chennai. This new name is believed to be connected to the ancient settlement of Chennapattinam. The change brought the city's identity in line with its Tamil heritage, as part of a broader initiative to shed British-era names. Pondicherry to Puducherry 10 / 11 In 2006, the Union Territory of Pondicherry was renamed Puducherry. Meaning "new town" in Tamil, this change better reflects the region's language and cultural identity. Despite the renaming, its charming French colonial architecture continues to be a defining feature. Orissa to Odisha 11 / 11 The renaming of Orissa to Odisha brought the state's official name in line with its authentic local pronunciation. The name 'Odisha' is derived from 'Odda Visaya,' an ancient term long used to describe the region. The former spelling, 'Orissa,' was an Anglicized version from the colonial era and didn't accurately reflect the local phonetics.
