Two Names, One Identity: The Story of Yang Wansong and Jason YANG

Hey there, my friend! What's shakin'?

I'm Jason Yang, but you can call me Jason. Yep, just like a bunch of other Chinese people with English names. It's not that we don't like our Chinese names, it's just easier for Westerners to remember and pronounce. And let's be honest, after a while, all those Jacks, Toms, and Dicks start to blend together!

But even though our English names aren't "official," most of us hold onto them for life. I know I do! Some people suggested I change my name to something closer to my Chinese name, like Wilson or Vincent, but my British friend told me to stick with Jason. And you know what? I agree with him!

Now, let me tell you about my full name. I'm part of the Han Chinese ethnicity, and we take our names seriously. My name has three parts: a family name, a rank, and a given name. My family name is Yang, which means "sun" or "sunshine" in Chinese. My rank is Wan, which means "tens of thousands" or "a vast quantity." And my given name is Song, which means "evergreen pine tree" or "straightforward and strong."

So basically, my name means I'm a strong and sunny guy who's got lots of potential. And you know what? I like that! I think my dad did a great job picking out my name. Although, I don't think he realized that "Song" also means "to sing" in English. And wouldn't you know it, I love to sing!

I grew up in the same town as Deng Xiaoping, one of the most important figures in modern Chinese history. I even went to his mother-school for high school! After that, I headed off to the "thousand-year salt capital" to study English education. But instead of becoming a teacher, I became a professional manager.

A lot of people ask me if I would rather be a teacher or a manager if I could choose. But I think learning and teaching are part of life, no matter what your job is. We can learn from anyone, anywhere, anytime. And that's what makes life exciting, don't you think?

Thanks for taking the time to read this little introduction about me. If you want to know more, don't be shy! Hit me up anytime.