Expert: Tom Carter ~ Travel China Expert - 2/21/2011

Question
This is not a homework question. I read about online that some ancient asians had red hair, presumbly either Celtic heritage due to the Tarim Basim when it was 'Eurasia' at one and a connection to the continents was more prominent. The uygers I heard are as closest non-extinct one today. Are there any of 'red haried' Asian ancestory around to day? If so, what do they call themselves?
That and the cutlures near the Tarim Basim, what dialect would they speak or common names of male and females? Would names translate? If I picked Mei, would it mean the same in Cantonese as Mandarian. Thanks.

Answer
My knowledge of this sort of anthropological study of Asian genetics is extremely limited. I can only answer based on what I have seen while traveling in China. I DID see some red and blonde-haired Uyghur people in Xianjiang province, but I have no idea what they "call themselves" nor am I familiar with the different dialects of the Uyghur and Mongolians of that region. But I do know that names definitely would need to be translated from their native dialects to Cantonese and/or Mandarin (Putonghua) in order to be understood by Cantonese or Han Chinese. Sorry that this is all I know about this topic.