Form DS-230 part 1 - Full Name in Native Alphabet

[notmuch88tosay 21]

Hello,

I am completing the two main Packet 3 forms for my fiancee now and I got to a question that I am stuck on.

On the Form DS-230 part 1, it says:

"3. Full Name in Native Alphabet (If Roman letters not used)"

What is that?

Does this section need to be completed, or can I put "N/A"?

notmuch88tosay

[amykathleen2005 441]

So if your fiance has a name which is spelled in chinese characters it would go there. You can put N/A if your fiance only has a name which has letters from the traditional alphabet.

[notmuch88tosay 21]

So if your fiance has a name which is spelled in chinese characters it would go there. You can put N/A if your fiance only has a name which has letters from the traditional alphabet.

Hi amykathleen2005,

Thanks for your reply.

If she has her name spelled in Chinese characters where?

I would think that when she writes in Mandarin, then she uses Chinese characters for her name, but otherwise she doesn't.

I don't know how she writes, I always use the Google translate site to chat with her so I write to her in Mandarin and she writes back to me in Mandarin.

You would think that you have to be a beaurocrat with the U.S. Consulate for a couple of years to be able to know what they want you to do :-(

I guess I will put N/A and pray.

Thanks again,

notmuch88tosay

[amykathleen2005 441]

Sorry I don't know much about the Chinese language to advise on that. I can move this over to the Chinese regional forum if you like and see if you can get some answers there.

Edited July 3, 2012 by amykathleen2005

[notmuch88tosay 21]

Sorry I don't know much about the Chinese language to advise on that. I can move this over to the Chinese regional forum if you like and see if you can get some answers there.

Okay, please move it to the Chinese regional forum.

Thanks for your help,

notmuch88tosay

[amykathleen2005 441]

Moving to regional forum for more answers.

[Ryan H 3,812]

Moved from Asia: East & Pacific regional forum to China regional forum per OP's request in post #5.

**Organizer hat off**

For the question, "Full Name in Native Alphabet (If Roman letters not used)" her name in Chinese characters must be written. The question is applicable so "N/A" cannot be written there.

[notmuch88tosay 21]

Moved from Asia: East & Pacific regional forum to China regional forum per OP's request in post #5.

**Organizer hat off**

For the question, "Full Name in Native Alphabet (If Roman letters not used)" her name in Chinese characters must be written. The question is applicable so "N/A" cannot be written there.

Thanks so much Ryan,

You saved my butt once again.

Much appreciated.

Take care,

Sherif

[Larry_and_Xinji 1]

It is misleading because Chinese characters are not an alphabet, but yes, that should be in characters, with family name first as is Chinese tradition. In other words, it's how the Chinese government would have a record of their name.

Are either of you planning on learning the other language? I don't think that will look good to an interviewer - they are concerned that you can have meaningful communication. Even though the American interviewer conducted the interview in Chinese they still asked my fiancee how we talk. Fortunately she speaks English quite well and I'm learning Chinese.

[notmuch88tosay 21]

It is misleading because Chinese characters are not an alphabet, but yes, that should be in characters, with family name first as is Chinese tradition. In other words, it's how the Chinese government would have a record of their name.

Are either of you planning on learning the other language? I don't think that will look good to an interviewer - they are concerned that you can have meaningful communication. Even though the American interviewer conducted the interview in Chinese they still asked my fiancee how we talk. Fortunately she speaks English quite well and I'm learning Chinese.

Hi Larry_and_Xinji,

Thanks for the reply and info.

Yes, I have been learning Mandarin for about 12 months now and can speak it pretty good. But I can't read Chinese characters and unless the person speaking Mandarin is speaking one word per minute, I can't understand Mandarin fast enough... yet.

My fiancee started to learn English but got frustrated for awhile then things came up so she had no time to continue learning it.

But I have an English course waiting for her in America and I am continuing to learn Mandarin each week.

notmuch88tosay

[peter.chou 3]

But I have an English course waiting for her in America and I am continuing to learn Mandarin each week.

notmuch88tosay

Could you please share with me the kind of English course for your fiance? My lady knows only a few English words.

[hawkeyez 45]

You have been learning Mandarin for 12 months and speak it pretty well?

What/who are you taking this course from? I have been taking Mandarin for 4 years and lived with a Chinese woman for a time and I am only a mid level speaker and do not know charactors.

[notmuch88tosay 21]

Could you please share with me the kind of English course for your fiance? My lady knows only a few English words.

Hi peter.chou,

Pimsleur Language Learning:

http://www.pimsleur.com/

This course does not teach characters, only being able to speak the language.

I also have the Rosetta Stone English course waiting for her here. I got it from Amazon.com

Not familiar with Rosetta Stone courses as I have never used them. The Amazon reviews for the Mandarin Rosetta Stone course are horrible, but they are good for the English Rosetta Stone course.

Best of luck,

notmuch88tosay

Edited July 5, 2012 by notmuch88tosay

[notmuch88tosay 21]

You have been learning Mandarin for 12 months and speak it pretty well?

What/who are you taking this course from? I have been taking Mandarin for 4 years and lived with a Chinese woman for a time and I am only a mid level speaker and do not know charactors.

Hi hawkeyez,

Yea, I really hunkered down and listened to the CDs every spare minute of free time I had for about six months.

I also took notes and typed stuff out.

Then I slowed my pace down but still listen to them in my car everywhere I go.

These are the CDs I use for learning Mandarin:

Pimsleur Language Learning:

http://www.pimsleur.com/

Here is also a book that helped me in learning Mandarin:

Speak E-Z Chinese book:

http://amzn.to/LQrIth

Best of luck,

notmuch88tosay