Glossary entry (derived from question below)
Jul 16, 2006 00:11
18 yrs ago
Chinese term
United States
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Native in: English 
Works in: German to English, Japanese to English, French to English, and 3 more.
那
Non-PRO
Chinese to English
Science
Education / Pedagogy
Grammatical Analysis
Sentence: 那個商人有十二間大鋪了，他是這裡商界很有名的人。
1st Attempt: That business man (woman) owns 12 large stores and is very famous in the world of business.
Question: Please forgive me for asking the same question twice, but I am still uncomfortable with the meaning of 那. Earlier it was pointed out that 這 and 那 refer to things and people that one can and cannot see, respectively, during the time of discussion.
Although this interpretation of their use can find similar application for the words this and that in the English language, the use of these word has far more reaching application. Prominent among these are the expression of near and far in a geographical, temporal, or even psychological sense. Moreover, using one generally implies the existence of the other, even though both are not mentioned in the same breath.
Must I assume in the above instance that the business person in question is not visible at the time of discussion? May he or she not simply be someone at a distance from those who are discussing?
As always you are welcome to comment on other parts of the sentence, as well.
http://homepage.mac.com/moogoonghwa/tsongkit/contents.html#p...
Warning: In order to provide ProZ.com users with the best glossary entries possible, more than one question for the same entry will be asked from time to time. Please keep in mind when responding that you will be graded on your responses to ALL questions asked.
1st Attempt: That business man (woman) owns 12 large stores and is very famous in the world of business.
Question: Please forgive me for asking the same question twice, but I am still uncomfortable with the meaning of 那. Earlier it was pointed out that 這 and 那 refer to things and people that one can and cannot see, respectively, during the time of discussion.
Although this interpretation of their use can find similar application for the words this and that in the English language, the use of these word has far more reaching application. Prominent among these are the expression of near and far in a geographical, temporal, or even psychological sense. Moreover, using one generally implies the existence of the other, even though both are not mentioned in the same breath.
Must I assume in the above instance that the business person in question is not visible at the time of discussion? May he or she not simply be someone at a distance from those who are discussing?
As always you are welcome to comment on other parts of the sentence, as well.
http://homepage.mac.com/moogoonghwa/tsongkit/contents.html#p...
Warning: In order to provide ProZ.com users with the best glossary entries possible, more than one question for the same entry will be asked from time to time. Please keep in mind when responding that you will be graded on your responses to ALL questions asked.
Proposed translations
+4
1 hr
Selected
That
There's no need to assume that the person in question can't be seen, though it is implied that the person being addressed is not the businessperson in question.
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "Final rendering: That merchant owns 12 large stores and is very famous in the local business community.
Discussion: Please see http://homepage.mac.com/moogoonghwa/tsongkit/part2/II-10-g.html#s12 for further discussion.
Acknowledgement: My thanks to kawillia and Zhuoqi for their contribution and useful comment, respectively. Willmatter is perhaps correct when he suggests that 這 and 那 are just like the English "this" and "that". Though I remain skeptical, surely in this instance I can go along just for the ride.
My very best from the land of no mountains surrounded by sea on many sides."
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