Help with a chinese translation of a boat name

  • 27 Oct 2022 20:49
    Reply # 12969144 on 12968479
    Anonymous member (Administrator)

    You are absolutely right Jami.

    My first choice would be a Chinese scholar.

    I would contact a good University in your country which has a department of Classical Chinese. I am sure a Chinese scholar or professor will be interested, and delighted to discuss with you the background and meaning of the Chinese expression you like, and the rich source of these expressions and poetry.

    Last modified: 28 Oct 2022 14:52 | Anonymous member (Administrator)
  • 27 Oct 2022 16:09
    Reply # 12968851 on 12968479
    Deleted user

    I used this:

    https://www.fiverr.com/

    to get a fictitious Japanese company name for a story I was writing. It cost me $5, and the provider was a native speaker.

  • 27 Oct 2022 14:17
    Reply # 12968716 on 12968479

    Obviously I wasn’t clear enough :)

    I’m well aware of the problems with straightforward translation. I have a chosen a chinese expression that I really like - the source is a finnish book about chinese hermit poets.

    However, when I try to double-check the meaning/s of the expression from other sources, I get mixed results.

    This is why I would appreciate help from someone with true understanding.

  • 27 Oct 2022 09:21
    Reply # 12968537 on 12968479
    Anonymous member (Administrator)

    There is always a mild risk in translating a name, which sounds good in one language - might not sound so good in another language even though the literal meaning is correct. I have a feeling that this is especially so when translating into Chinese. lPerhaps because every syllable can have a range of meanings, I am not sure the reason, but it is very easy to find Chinese words which have a double meaning when spoken aloud. The language abounds in puns, and double entendre is actually an art form in China. So don't use a dictionary or take the advice of a non-native speaker. Its not just a matter of getting the meaning right - its also important to make sure it "sounds right".

    The best advice is to get help from a Chinese native speaker - preferably a reasonably well-educated person - and someone who will give you a frank response rather than a polite response.

    Perhaps a helpful Chinese person will chime in here.

    Last modified: 27 Oct 2022 09:32 | Anonymous member (Administrator)
  • 27 Oct 2022 06:39
    Message # 12968479

    Have I dreamed of this, or was there a topic in which someone generously offered help in translating boat names to chinese - or in checking that their thought of a chinese name actually is correct?

    Using all kinds of searches I don't seem to find the discussion or the helpfun person. Maybe it was all in my mind?

       " ...there is nothing - absolutely nothing - half so much worth doing as simply messing about in junk-rigged boats" 
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