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双合诊检查
Jul 25, 2008 07:00
15 yrs ago
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Chinese term

两情若是九长时

Chinese to English Other Government / Politics
2007年5月6日，民进党初选结束，台湾2008大选"两情若是九长时"的对决格局已然形成。

I know "九长" refers to Ma Yingjeou and Vincent Siew, but how should I translate "两情若是九长时" in this context?
Proposed translations (English)
4 +4 A long haul duel of love and hatred
5 If love between both sides can last for aye
3 toggle between 2 feelings, one for Ma Yingjeou and the other for Frank Hsieh
3 I suggest a straight translation of 久长时 and explain that it is a piece of word play
2 This is a real puzzler

Discussion

orientalhorizon Jul 27, 2008:
"Ma Ying-jeou vs. Frank Hsieh" conveys the meaning, but just lacks the purported style.
Malcolm Mayfield Jul 26, 2008:
I think your way may be the best way.
Denyce Seow (asker) Jul 26, 2008:
I am thinking of just using "Ma Ying-jeou vs. Frank Hsieh"
Malcolm Mayfield Jul 26, 2008:
I confess I like o.h's direction. The important thing is to get the intended message across.
orientalhorizon Jul 25, 2008:
How about "(And now begins) the long haul duel between Ma Yingjeou and Frank Hsieh, of love and hatred"? I think this can reflect the situation then in Taiwan.
Denyce Seow (asker) Jul 25, 2008:
So how do we put Ma Yingjeou and Frank Hsieh into the sentence?
Denyce Seow (asker) Jul 25, 2008:
You're right. 长 = 谢长延
orientalhorizon Jul 25, 2008:
I think "九"=马英九，but "长"=谢长延，for "民进党初选结束"——>谢长延，and earlier on, "九" already stood out of the GUOMINDANG'r primaries.
Denyce Seow (asker) Jul 25, 2008:
This article is about the 2008 Taiwan election. Apparently "九长" refers to 马英九 and 萧万长. I have to bring these two names into the sentence.

Proposed translations

+4
40 mins
Chinese term (edited): “两情若是九长时”的对决
Selected

A long haul duel of love and hatred

这种情况下，要做到形神兼备着实不易，只能求得最大神似，同时力求兼顾神似了。

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Note added at 42 mins (2008-07-25 07:42:32 GMT)
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同时力求兼顾神似了——>同时力求兼顾形似了。
Peer comment(s):
agree Christine Wan
55 mins
Thank you very much!
agree Wenjer Leuschel (X) : The art of translation is to make sense out of nonsense. This is a good example for it.
5 hrs
Sure, thank you very much!
agree Louisa Yang : Agree with it. Wenjer Leuschel has given an ingenious evaluation
1 day 18 hrs
Thank you very much!
agree Malcolm Mayfield : Seems like no one gets what "Language variant" is for, but I think you deserve props on this.
2 days 11 hrs
Thank you very much! I think "Language variant" is for AE or BE or any other "English" variants if applicable, but everybody including me is using it as a slot for alternatives, well, doesn't matter if somewhat helpful. Thank you Again.
Something went wrong...
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer. Comment: "Thanks. I have decided to use "Ma Ying-jeou vs. Frank Hsieh". "
30 mins

If love between both sides can last for aye

This sentence comes from the poem of the Song Dynasty, poeter Qin Guan. My answer is cited from Song of the Immortals (published by New World Press): If love between both sides can last for aye, Why need they stay together night and day? 两情若是久长时,又岂在朝朝暮暮 ?

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Note added at 59分钟 (2008-07-25 07:59:17 GMT)
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Sorry, just red your explanation. My answer can't be used in that situation.
Note from asker:
Sorry, but I need something that fits the context. Note: It is "九长", not "久长".
Something went wrong...
11 hrs

toggle between 2 feelings, one for Ma Yingjeou and the other for Frank Hsieh

My try...

I supposed that they belong to opposing parties. So, maybe a voter is choosing between the 2 of them. But Mr. Ma Yingjeou is already the elected president, so what's the duel between the 2? I do not know the other guy.
Something went wrong...
19 mins

I suggest a straight translation of 久长时 and explain that it is a piece of word play

It is something that defines good translation and most of the time not worth much wringing one's hands over.

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Note added at 1 day9 hrs (2008-07-26 16:30:48 GMT)
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The original was bad writing -- allowing the tail to wag the dog. Only because the two characters "Jiu" and "chang" could be fitted in the phrase, the writer dragged the sentence in quite incongruously. If we just ignore the 7-character phrase (poem), then, I would recommend colleague orientalhorizon's answer heartily.

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Note added at 1 day9 hrs (2008-07-26 16:33:04 GMT)
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Also, inserting the names of Ma and Hsieh, as Denyce did, is necessary.
Note from asker:
Unfortunately, I can't add any notes in this translation. No explanations, no notes... :(
Something went wrong...
1 day 8 hrs

This is a real puzzler

"wait-and-see Ma-Siew duo"

(in quotes)


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Note added at 1 day8 hrs (2008-07-26 15:52:20 GMT)
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duo--> duel?

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Note added at 2 days11 hrs (2008-07-27 18:38:09 GMT)
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Puns are usually not worth the effort. I would just do it straight.

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Note added at 2 days11 hrs (2008-07-27 18:41:05 GMT)
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Siew--> Hsieh
Something went wrong...
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