孽龙

English translation: evil/wicked dragons

05:43 Apr 14, 2006
Chinese to English translations [PRO]
Art/Literary - Folklore / Gansu
Chinese term or phrase: 孽龙
'一天,他拉着儿女们的手,指着烟笼雾锁的奇峰怪岭说道:"这山上的九眼泉是海眼,里面藏着九条孽龙,常常兴妖作怪.我一辈子没有除掉它们,你们年轻力壮,一定要设法除掉这九条大害,永保地方平安."'
chica nueva
Local time: 19:07
English translation:evil/wicked dragons
Explanation:
evil/wicked dragons
Selected response from:

anastasia t (X)
Local time: 14:07
Grading comment
Related to this forum thread on dragons: http://www.proz.com/topic/44416

I think this is an interesting one, because I realise that how you name the dragons affects the whole tone of the story. I remember at the time (I've translated this before I joined Proz - it's in my portfolio) I took some time to decide, and finally went for 'evil dragons'. (wicked seemed too heavy a moral judgement).

But I considered carefully the points Wherestip has raised (Thanks for that again). whether they should be bad or naughty or harmful or just dragon or exactly how best to translate it for a 民间童话故事. 谢谢大家!

I just loved the detailed description of the dragons in the story, and I learnt a lot about Chinese dragons.
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
4 +5evil/wicked dragons
anastasia t (X)
3 +2nine harmful dragons
wherestip


Discussion entries: 7





  

Answers


9 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +5
evil/wicked dragons


Explanation:
evil/wicked dragons

anastasia t (X)
Local time: 14:07
Native speaker of: Native in ChineseChinese, Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 8
Grading comment
Related to this forum thread on dragons: http://www.proz.com/topic/44416

I think this is an interesting one, because I realise that how you name the dragons affects the whole tone of the story. I remember at the time (I've translated this before I joined Proz - it's in my portfolio) I took some time to decide, and finally went for 'evil dragons'. (wicked seemed too heavy a moral judgement).

But I considered carefully the points Wherestip has raised (Thanks for that again). whether they should be bad or naughty or harmful or just dragon or exactly how best to translate it for a 民间童话故事. 谢谢大家!

I just loved the detailed description of the dragons in the story, and I learnt a lot about Chinese dragons.

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Naikei Wong
3 hrs

agree  Angus Woo
4 hrs

agree  Shilpi Jain
4 hrs

agree  IC --
5 hrs

agree  Chinoise
1 day 21 hrs
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

5 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +2
九条孽龙
nine harmful dragons


Explanation:
What a coincidence. Reminds us that in Chinese folklore, "loongs" are not consistently benevolent creatures either.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 16 hrs (2006-04-14 22:38:27 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

造孽 as a verb means to do undesirable things, or to do harmful things
孽种 as a noun means undesirable element, harmful element, or trouble maker, similar to 孬种

孽龙 simply means the dragons intentionally cause trouble, and wreak havoc to do harm


wherestip
United States
Local time: 01:07
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish, Native in ChineseChinese
PRO pts in category: 7

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  IC --
13 mins
  -> thanks

agree  Chinoise
1 day 15 hrs
  -> thanks
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)



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