Dec 6, 2008 15:33
15 yrs ago
1 viewer *
Chinese term
万家墨面没蒿莱
Chinese to English
Art/Literary
Poetry & Literature
Poetic Expression
Lu Xun wrote on May 30, 1934 the following poem.
万家墨面没蒿莱，敢有歌吟动地哀。
心事浩茫连广宇，于无声处听惊雷。
Someone interpreted the way shown in the following link.
http://school.klmyedu.cn:8000/kgj/yuwen/qwyw/whsy/zsjl/20081...
Of course, this is a wrong interpretation, because we all know that the Second Sino-Japanese War happened on July 7, 1937 and there was no 中国的大片土地遭到日本铁蹄蹂躏 at all when Lu Xun wrote the poem. Besides, the 没 in 万家墨面没蒿莱 doesn't mean "without" or "no." It reads in the fourth tone like in "埋没." This is to be argued with the rules for Chinese rhymes. So, the quoted interpretation is definitely wrong for it is biased by viewpoints of nationalism.
The question: How to translate 万家墨面没蒿莱 into English properly?
Any suggestion would be appreciated. TIA!
万家墨面没蒿莱，敢有歌吟动地哀。
心事浩茫连广宇，于无声处听惊雷。
Someone interpreted the way shown in the following link.
http://school.klmyedu.cn:8000/kgj/yuwen/qwyw/whsy/zsjl/20081...
Of course, this is a wrong interpretation, because we all know that the Second Sino-Japanese War happened on July 7, 1937 and there was no 中国的大片土地遭到日本铁蹄蹂躏 at all when Lu Xun wrote the poem. Besides, the 没 in 万家墨面没蒿莱 doesn't mean "without" or "no." It reads in the fourth tone like in "埋没." This is to be argued with the rules for Chinese rhymes. So, the quoted interpretation is definitely wrong for it is biased by viewpoints of nationalism.
The question: How to translate 万家墨面没蒿莱 into English properly?
Any suggestion would be appreciated. TIA!
Proposed translations
1 day 2 hrs
Jacqueline, Pai Xuan How
Malaysia
Malaysia
Native in Chinese
&
English
Specializes in field
Malaysia
DipTrans Eng-Chi Translator|Interpreter
Native in: Chinese (Variant: Mandarin) 
, English
Works in: English to Chinese, Chinese to English, French to English, and 1 more.
Related KudoZ points
:
4
The masses in dire poverty SHELTERED/ HID THEMSELVES/ WERE OFTEN SEEN in the bushes and wilderness.
Not sure of the meaning of 没, according to these two links,
http://ks.cn.yahoo.com/question/1590003312471.html
http://dzzgx.blog.zhyww.cn/archives/2008/2008722225833.html
one means to hide 隐藏, another means 出没, which I rendered into "sheltered/ hide themselves" and "are often seen" respectively.
I use "shelter" to mean a place where they are kept away from the oppression or other danger. However usually a shelter is more like a safe and comfortable place, the masses, I assume, should not think living in the bushes or wilderness good? So I thought of "obscured themselves" too.
1. The masses in dire poverty hid themselves in the bushes and wilderness
2. The masses in dire poverty sheltered themselves in the bushes and wilderness
3. The masses in dire poverty obscured themselves in the bushes and wilderness
4. The masses in dire poverty were often seen in the bushes and wilderness
http://ks.cn.yahoo.com/question/1590003312471.html
http://dzzgx.blog.zhyww.cn/archives/2008/2008722225833.html
one means to hide 隐藏, another means 出没, which I rendered into "sheltered/ hide themselves" and "are often seen" respectively.
I use "shelter" to mean a place where they are kept away from the oppression or other danger. However usually a shelter is more like a safe and comfortable place, the masses, I assume, should not think living in the bushes or wilderness good? So I thought of "obscured themselves" too.
1. The masses in dire poverty hid themselves in the bushes and wilderness
2. The masses in dire poverty sheltered themselves in the bushes and wilderness
3. The masses in dire poverty obscured themselves in the bushes and wilderness
4. The masses in dire poverty were often seen in the bushes and wilderness
Note from asker:
| Thank you very much for the multiple suggestions! I will refine the noun 墨面 and the verb 没 later. You have given me some hints to translate this poem in an understandable way for non-Chinese natives. Thanks a lot. |
1 day 3 hrs
As I saw thousands upon thousands of dilapidated people, and only when I'm hidden among the bushes..
Compared with the linkyou provided, I think this explained thepoem better:
http://dzzgx.blog.zhyww.cn/archives/2008/2008722225833.html
万家墨面没蒿莱，敢有歌呤动地哀。
心事浩茫连广宇，于无声处听惊雷。
看着万家凋零破败,隐没在蒿莱等野草丛中,就敢于唱出惊天动地的哀歌。
心事茫茫，想得非常遥远。万籁无声，仿佛也能听到人们心中悲愤的怒吼。
my try...
As I saw thousands upon thousands of dilapidated people, and only when I'm hidden among the bushes, I dare to cry out my deepest sorrow. My heart is filled with thoughts that are far and wide, and during the time of total silence I can seemingly hear the anger from the people's heart.
http://dzzgx.blog.zhyww.cn/archives/2008/2008722225833.html
万家墨面没蒿莱，敢有歌呤动地哀。
心事浩茫连广宇，于无声处听惊雷。
看着万家凋零破败,隐没在蒿莱等野草丛中,就敢于唱出惊天动地的哀歌。
心事茫茫，想得非常遥远。万籁无声，仿佛也能听到人们心中悲愤的怒吼。
my try...
As I saw thousands upon thousands of dilapidated people, and only when I'm hidden among the bushes, I dare to cry out my deepest sorrow. My heart is filled with thoughts that are far and wide, and during the time of total silence I can seemingly hear the anger from the people's heart.
Note from asker:
| Wow! Thanks! I like the way you interpret the poem in plain Chinese text. |
Discussion