In case you were wondering, my name has nothing to do with Taoism. That comes from the Chinese word "Dao", meaning "The Way". My last name, "Tao", has the more prosaic meaning "pottery clay".

My full Chinese name, written here on the left, is usually Anglicized as "Tao Chi-Shen", although this is a little inaccurate; it's closer to "tau dzeh shuen" in Mandarin, and "toe jeed heen" in Cantonese. My given name doesn't translate too well, but "ancient house of philosophy" comes close.

I prefer to be called Terry, although Terence is fine. For some reason my name gets mis-spelt a lot; it's not Terrence, Terrance, Teri, or any other variation.

Thanks Angela, for writing up the characters so nicely!


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