Did you do anything for Lunar New Year last Saturday? I hope you enjoyed some delicious food and had a great time with family and friends. The traditional Lunar New Year celebration can last for 15 days, so I’ll keep you updated on what’s happening this week!
Mandarin Monday, February 12, 2024 Newsletter
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What’s New at Good Characters
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For Chinese naming related to intellectual property and trademarks, we have been evaluating the existing Chinese brand names of American and European companies. We offer executives our expert opinion to assist in their future planning. They might need to make decisions on whether to expand, maintain, or reduce their presence in the Greater China area, considering what to expand, retain, or eliminate.
For name stamps, we’ve updated our Good Characters Stamp Size Reference sheet. This update helps people visualize the dimensions of our stamps relative to one another and to items of standard size. Let me know if you would like to download a copy.
This month, I’ve noticed an increased number of customers returning to reorder stamps they bought, usually 15 or 16 years ago, that have worn out and need to be replaced. I always joke with them that this is why I’m poor — because our stamps last too long! I’m happy to know they are still using and loving their stamps.
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The Art of Naming the Super Bowl and American Football in Chinese
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For those of you who watched the Super Bowl last night, don’t you agree it was a great game? Both teams were exceptional and fought hard.
In Chinese, the Super Bowl is translated as 超级碗 (super bowl) or 超級盃 (super cup or trophy). Translating it as 碗 (bowl) is literal, while translating it as 盃 (cup or trophy) is considered more elegant. Some translators emphasize the balance between fidelity, expressiveness, and elegance. This approach extends beyond mere literal translation to ensure resonance with new readers within the target language and culture. Personally, I like this approach and prefer 盃 for its visual appeal and meaning. Its radical, 皿, indicates that it’s related to utensils for holding or containing things, akin to a literal bowl. At the same time, the character itself visually resembles a modern trophy, complete with a base and ribbons.
So, why is it called American “football” when the sport involves more carrying and passing than kicking? I’ve learned that it’s more about historical context than an accurate description of the game’s primary actions.
Chinese has coined a unique name for football: 橄欖球, which literally translates to “olive ball,” referring to the distinctive shape and size of the ball that resembles an olive.
Don’t you think “olive” and “bowl” go together quite well?
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Should We Call It Chinese Dragon or Loong?
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China’s state media has suggested that the Chinese Dragon should be referred to as “Loong” instead. What are your thoughts on this? Personally, I’m skeptical about its widespread acceptance. There’s a difference between wanting to be called by your correct name and wanting something to be called in a specific way that you prefer, especially if you don’t fully “own” that thing. Years ago, the South Korean government introduced a new Chinese name for Seoul, 首爾 (首尔, shǒu ěr), replacing 漢城 (汉城, hàn chéng), and encouraged its adoption. Despite some initial complaints, it was eventually embraced by everyone. Later, they proposed a new official Chinese name for kimchi, 辛奇 (xīn qí), which literally means “spicy and unique/curious,” and sought its adoption. After 10 years, this effort has not been very successful. Not giving up, a couple of years ago, they issued a guideline mandating its use by the South Korean government and affiliated organizations. There was news (which I haven’t fact-checked) about Chinese-exported kimchi to Korea under the “wrong name” being rejected by the Korean authorities. I actually find the new Chinese name for kimchi quite creative and hope it will gradually gain acceptance.
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The “Three Chinese Name Problem”
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There’s a new Netflix series titled “3 Body Problem” coming in March. Inspired by the title, I’ve thought about the many famous American authors, celebrities, presidents, cities, and states facing the “Three Chinese Name Problem.” This issue arises when there’s no official Chinese name for them, leading reporters who cover these figures to create transliterations. Since there are multiple autonomous regions where the Chinese language is used, and these reporters don’t necessarily communicate or agree with one another, these figures often end up with multiple unofficial Chinese transliterations. This situation can be confusing for Chinese readers, and some transliterations may include Chinese characters with meanings or connotations that are not ideal.
Texas has two different unofficial Chinese names, while Virginia has three. Just for fun, I changed my Apple Watch’s language to Chinese and noticed it uses a Chinese name for Fresno that I’ve never heard of. Local Chinese people here use two or three different Chinese names. I wonder where Apple got their Chinese transliteration from?
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The 3 Chinese-Name Predicament
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Just for fun, I imagined a fictional scenario and wrote an imaginary book introduction modeled after “The Three-Body Problem” by Liu Cixin:
Set against the backdrop of great power competition, a secret American project commissions Andy Chuang of Good Characters to lead the creation of Chinese names for significant American interests, tailored for all Chinese-speaking regions. Meanwhile, in China, various factions begin to take shape, with some eagerly embracing the American initiative to improve the Chinese names of American brands, while others staunchly resist, asserting that the naming prerogative belongs exclusively to China. The result is a cultural and linguistic battleground that unfolds, resembling ideological clashes, where the destiny of names reflects the intricate interplay between nations.
What do you think? Would you buy my book if I wrote it? Haha.
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Chill Out This Monday, February 12, 2024
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Today, the third day of the Lunar New Year, some traditionalists believe it’s a faux pas to visit friends and family. It’s the perfect excuse to kick back, especially after the whirlwind of festivities over the weekend.
Dragon-Themed Pick of the Day: Lee the Little Dragon (李小龍, Lǐ xiǎo lóng) is what Bruce Lee was known as in Chinese. If you’re planning a relaxed day at home, you might enjoy diving into some of Bruce Lee’s iconic films. The Way of the Dragon (猛龍過江, “Fierce Dragon Crossing the River”) and Enter the Dragon (龍爭虎鬥, “Dragon Fights Tiger”) are excellent choices for some thrilling action and entertainment.
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Prosperity and Love on Wednesday, February 14, 2024
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Mark your calendars for February 14, 2024 — not only is it the fifth day of the Lunar New Year, a time when Chinese businesses are set to reopen in grand style, but it’s also Valentine’s Day. Imagine the skies lit with firecrackers, setting off a symphony of sounds from strings that might cascade off high-rises, signaling a prosperous year ahead. This celebratory noise, where permitted, is a vibrant declaration of good fortune to come.
And let’s not overlook the culinary symbol of prosperity: dumplings. Resembling ancient Chinese gold ingots, they’re not just delicious but are believed to bring luck and wealth. As some Chinese communities welcomed back their revered deities yesterday, it’s time to get down to business with renewed vigor.
So, as we prepare to make serious money, let’s also embrace the spirit of Valentine’s Day, sharing love and joy with those around us. Here’s to a day of prosperity, romance, and indulgence in those lucky dumplings — wishing you success in business and a heart full of love!
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Celebrate the Jade Emperor’s Birthday on Sunday, February 18, 2024!
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Mark your calendars for February 18, 2024, the ninth day of the Lunar New Year, celebrated as the birthday of the Jade Emperor. Expect traditional festivities to kick off at midnight, complete with prayers, offerings, and the booming sound of firecrackers. It’s a day when the skies are believed to rejoice in the well-being of all creatures. In honor of this, offerings to the Jade Emperor are strictly vegan, deviating from the usual fare of pork, chicken, and fish dedicated to other deities. So, why not seize the day with a delicious salad?
While we’re on the topic of Dragon-related names, let’s revisit a fun fact, especially relevant today as we lean towards more greens: Spinach, or as it’s delightfully called in some Chinese circles, Flying Dragon Vegetable (飛龍菜, fēi lóng cài). This name adds a mythical twist to the humble spinach, known more commonly as 菠菜 (bō cài). Just a friendly reminder: when sharing a meal, check for spinach caught in your teeth to keep your smile as charming as the day is festive.
The Lunar New Year celebration isn’t over just yet. We’ll have one more thing to share next week!
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Comments or Ideas: Do you have comments or ideas about these?
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Good Characters.
That’s who we are; that’s what we do.
That’s who you are; that’s what you celebrate.