2008 Olympic game mascots get new English name get, name, Olympic, mascots, game

李冰

According to a report on CRI news website, English name for the mascots - “Friendlies” - was changed to “Fuwa” last week, a literal Chinese pinyin translation and the change was decided with regards to integrated factors, according to an official of the organization Beijing committee of Olympic.
“Friendlies” is always a controversial name since it’s unveiled to the public. The continuous debate of its accuracy never comes to an end.
Opponents claimed that original name “friendlies” is an ambiguous title for a mascot, which refers to friendly people as well as friendship games, and its pronunciation is similar to “ friendless” which has negative meaning.
Some people recommend new English name just like “forward”, “forworld” to the BOCOG. The committee rejected all of these suggestions, deciding to use the name "Fuwa.” The renamed Beijing Olympic mascot, ”Fuwa” means happiness, prosperity, health, good luck and enthusiasm, it also represents the Chinese people's wishes for the people of the world.
Some Olympic commercials and products will continue to use the original name in the short term, although the BOCOG has announced the new name of the mascots.
Most of people support the change of name according to the questionnaires from internet.


2008奥运吉祥物更换新名

根据中国国际广播电台网页上的一篇报道，上周北京奥运会的吉祥物“福娃”已换了新的英文名，”friendlies”被换成了汉语拼音”Fuwa”，据一奥组委官员透露，这一举动是经过了全面的考虑。
从”friendlies”这一名字出现在公众面前以来一直就颇受争议。关于它是否合适准确的争论也是一直没有停止。那些持反对意见的人一致认为这个单词容易让人产生歧异。而且它的英文发音与“不友好”“ friendless”这个有负面意义的单词非常相似。
不少人都给奥组委提过更换吉祥物英文名的建议，譬如换成 “forward”, “forworld”，但这些建议都没能被采纳，最终还是定为了“福娃” 直译的汉语拼音”Fuwa”。改名后的吉祥物“福娃”象征着幸福繁荣，健康好运和热情。这一象征意义也代表了中国人民对全世界人民的美好祝愿。
据说官方组织已经通知更换新的英文名，但一些拿奥运吉祥物做广告产品的商家在短期之内还是会延用旧名。
根据网上的问卷调查，多数人还是支持吉祥物更换新的名字。