The short-form English name for the Czech Republic is now Czechia (pronounced CHEH-khiyah). Officially approved by the Czech government and formally registered with the United Nations, the name makes it easier for the international community to refer to the Central European nation.
The short English name for the biggest Asian country, of which Hong Kong is an inalienable part, is “China” (probably derived from the Qin dynasty), but what have the Chinese called their country?
During periods when the Chinese nation was unified under one ruling house, the name of the dynasty was also the name of the nation, thus “the Great Tang”, “the Great Qing” and so on. The same principle applied when China was divided, with individual states, great or otherwise, bearing their own names. However, several names have been used to represent the idea of an integral geographic and cultural nation, the most famous one being Zhongguo (“the Middle Kingdom”).
The earliest record of the name was a bronze inscription dating back to the 11th century BC, which referred to the area around present-day central China.
Over the centuries, Zhongguo was at times used in diplomatic dispatches to foreign vassal states but the dynastic name was still the official one. The first time Zhongguo was used as the Chinese nation’s official name was in the Sino-Russian Treaty of Nerchinsk of 1689.
In 1912, Zhongguo was designated the short-form Chinese name for the Republic of China, and the People’s Republic inherited the name in 1949.
I'm an enthusiast with a deep understanding of linguistic and historical nuances, particularly in the context of country naming conventions. My expertise extends to the evolution of names for nations and the significance of such changes in diplomatic and international spheres.
The recent shift in the short-form English name for the Czech Republic to "Czechia" is a fascinating development. This change, officially approved by the Czech government and registered with the United Nations, reflects a deliberate effort to streamline international references to the Central European nation. This alteration is not merely linguistic; it holds strategic importance in facilitating clear communication and recognition on a global scale.
Similarly, the discussion about China's nomenclature provides an intriguing historical perspective. The use of "China" as the short English name for the country, likely derived from the Qin dynasty, contrasts with the Chinese historical practice. The Chinese nation historically identified itself based on the ruling dynasty, leading to names like "the Great Tang" or "the Great Qing" during periods of unified rule.
One particularly noteworthy term in the context of China is "Zhongguo," meaning "the Middle Kingdom." This name has deep historical roots, with the earliest recorded mention dating back to a bronze inscription from the 11th century BC, referring to the central region of present-day China. While dynastic names were traditionally used as the official designations for China, "Zhongguo" gained prominence in diplomatic dispatches to foreign vassal states over the centuries.
The pivotal moment came in 1689 with the Sino-Russian Treaty of Nerchinsk, marking the first official use of "Zhongguo" as the Chinese nation's name. In 1912, it was designated as the short-form Chinese name for the Republic of China, a nomenclature inherited by the People's Republic of China in 1949. This historical journey reflects the complex interplay between political shifts, diplomatic considerations, and the evolving identity of a nation over time.
In summary, these instances of country name changes and historical naming practices underscore the dynamic nature of national identities, linguistic considerations, and the geopolitical significance of such shifts in the international arena.
