Refraction

Over at Language Log there’s a post about being terrified at not being able to read in a foreign country (in this case, Hong Kong SAR). One of the commenters points out:

I had gathered that the “ideogram” thing was a myth — that Chinese script is really a syllabary, and that Cantonese speakers said to read “Chinese” are really bilingual, and reading transcribed Mandarin.

I don’t know how much I agree with the first part (written Chinese as a syllabary? You’re going to have to dredge up a bit more evidence for that one) but the second part is true, true, true.

Now I realize why I only learned to recognize characters in Chinese school, and not to write–I would have had to learn a whole other language.

That said, I admit to having the same fear (apropos de journal articles, for example). It’s terrifying to look at a page of text and realize you can’t read it and have no idea what it says.

I love the word “antebellum”, although I was always thrown by how the “-bellum” part made it about war, instead of beauty; we have so few other words with that root (“belligerent” is the only one that springs to mind) that it’s actually quite striking.

(As an aside: I love “antediluvian” too. Is there an “ante-” word for before the Fall of Adam and Eve? I seem to remember running across it once.)

I also think this is my favourite song off the new album.
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Got another one for you. I think this song from IT sounds the most like Vienna’s old stuff.
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Vienna’s new album was released in Europe last week. Here’s a quick translation of a song (“the emo sad song”) off it.

(And in other news: I miss my translation class terribly. I think the prof who taught it has retired now; he’s no longer listed on the department website anywhere, nor do I see his name on the French faculty list posted in BuTo. Pity. He was quick and witty and cutting, equally at ease in English and French, and made me want to do well. Not that I ever don’t want to do well. But I’m not as motivated in some classes.)

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I didn’t realize this until today, but I’ve had my blog for seven years. Holy. Mackerel. Throughout that time it’s changed from whiny high school student entries to whiny university student entries to… a second-rate translation blog, mostly. With occasional sidebars on music.

I don’t think I’ll ever close it down–I post here for myself, not for anyone else–but I have to admit its utility is minimal. There are other, better, ways to keep in touch with friends, and I doubt that anyone who still reads this doesn’t have other means of contacting me.

Still, an anniversary’s an anniversary, isn’t it?

I used to have this in my profile for a message board. I thought I’d keep it here for posterity, with a few modifications.

Recipe for “gemtiger”:

2 cups intelligence
(It is best to find a variety which specializes is concentrated in trivia and miscellaneous booksmarts with a smattering of a sense of direction.)

1 cup eccentricity
(The author prefers to use Neko brand from imported from Asia. Failing that, the stuff in your local Chinatown will do just as well.)

2 cups of assorted music
(Best if imported from Japan with influences from CORE OF SOUL, Maaya Sakamoto, Maki Yano, Hikaru Utada, and m-floMONKEY MAJIK. Add a splash of Vienna Teng for more authenticity. A dash of francophone tunes from KYO and Les Cowboys Fringants will add a subtle nuance.)

3 tablespoons of laughter
(It should, optimally, leave one breathless. Don’t skimp.)

1/2 cup of assorted talents
(Any brand will do, in any proportion. Artistic ones, however, will result in a product slightly different from pictured.)

Maple syrup to taste
(For that true Canadian flavour. Make sure it’s from Québec.)

One sprig of Domo-kun
(For garnish.)

1. Preheat oven to 200 degrees Celsius.

2. Combine intelligence and eccentricity in a bowl. Cream until light and fluffy.

3. Slowly stir in music, mixing well.

4. Add laughter to the mix.

5. Fold in assorted talent.

6. Pour mixture into a lined muffin tin.

7. Bake for 20 minutes or until just beginning to turn golden brown.

8. Drizzle with maple syrup.

9. Garnish with Domo-kun.

One of those (rare) cases where an English word is so much prettier than a French word:
“harbour” >>> “port (m.)”

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Okay, I’m doing it again. Here’s “Gravity”.

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Translating into your native language is easy. Translating out of it generally presents more of a problem. That being said, it can be a good way to increase vocabulary… or just to procrastinate. What follows is a translation of one of my favourite Vienna Teng songs into French.

It’s clumsy, and literal, and in no way captures the beauty of the English lyrics. But it was still fun.

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I love Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” for many, many reasons. And I’ve listened to many, many versions–as a matter of fact, I don’t think I’ve ever heard Cohen’s version of his own song. One of those cases where a cover outstrips the original version, I suppose.

Maybe that’s why I enjoyed this BBC quiz so much. 🙂 For the record, I got 7–missed the spoken word one. It was kind of terrible, after all.

love is not a victory march
it’s a cold and it’s a broken Hallelujah