Why asians don't call their brothers and sisters by name?

Question

I have neighbours who were born in UK but their families are from China and Malaysia....I'm just curious..is there any other asian country call their brothers and sisters not by their name...for example...my neighbour from China call his older brother as "Tai Ke" or something similiar...and neighbour from Malaysia call their older sister as "Khaka"....why can't they just call them by their name like we do....Is there any other country have a similiar culture in calling their siblings.

Answer 1

It's a sign of respect: you call them elder brother or elder sister, or younger brother or younger sister, its like a title. Just like you call an older person not related to you uncle or aunty.

Answer 2

I am Vietnamese. There is a saying in my language to show that the person you are referring to is older than you. For example, I have an older sister. I say 'chi' before I say her name. In some Asian cultures, just saying the names of your siblings who are older than you would be rude.

Answer 3

It's all about respect and familiarity.
At certain degree of affection ,you stop calling your partner by his/her real name.Why is that? Because you've developed affection,complicity, familiarity and much more so that you won't call him anymore John Smith, he is now Jay.It makes a difference.And it is differently received and perceived.Isn't it?
In other cultures (Asian,African, south american),you frequently notice the use of other appellations for those reasons(respect,affection,familiarity...)

Answer 4

Well its part of their culture which is built on honor and respect.

Answer 5

i am turkish . if we have older brother we put in front of the name abi, if its older sister we put abla. its for respect to your elder