How to translate “彎月明明” as in '彎月明
明 在宇邊' ?
明 在宇邊' ?
There are obviously -- at least -- two levels of interpretation and translation, depending on your target audience!
At the higher level, `明明` is a pun that`s usually quite impossible to translate from C to E, or vice versa!
(aha, i`ll attempt doing the almost impossible task below, as a self-appointed ``x-cultural bridge-builder and messenger poet-translator``.)
But bear in mind first:
(A) Are the target audience ``elementary and-or high schools boys and girls``? Or
(B) ``undergrads or post-grad students, or even lecturers and professors``?
(C) Anyone who thinks outside of the box (of traditional Chinese shi ci etc.) with soaring imaginations...
For the latter two groups, they must be open-minded with a cup half-empty, too.
The 'culprit' poem in question under scrutiny:
《七絕 – 黃昏》一老年人
又是黃昏又一天，
幾回欄倚夕陽前，
歸鴉點點空飛盡，
彎月明明在宇邊。
28-Character Quatrain: "Dusk"
-- by 一老年人 'A Man of Advanced Years'
-- Translated by Frank C Yue
Version 1:
With another day done, Dusk’s here again –
Myriad times I lean on the railing in vain.
(**1) Specks of homeward-bound crows now out of sight,
(**1) At Sky edge the crescent Moon's quite bright.
Version 2:
With another day done, Dusk’s here again –
Myriad times I lean on the railing in vain.
(**2) Homeward-bound crow specks had flown already,
(**2) At Sky’s edge the crescent Moon shines clearly.
Version 3:
With another day done, Dusk’s here again –
Myriad times I lean on the railing in vain.
(**3) Homeward-bound crow specks had flown already,
(**3) At Sky’s edge crescent Moon shines obviously.
and ‘obviously’ here is clearly a pun for ‘明明’!
Notes by the Translator, speaking metaphorically:
**Level 1 version –
for the beginner Taiji practitioner who believes she is learning a useful low-loading form of useful ‘exercise’! (o this is seriously under-rating this sparkling, unique gem of Chinese civilisation! but, everyone has to start from somewhere, somehow...)
**Levels 2 & 3 version –
for the v experienced (over 5-year) and persistent Taiji practitioner with powerful qi in her hands, doing daily meditative qigong – truly a beautiful, effortless spiritual poetry-in-motion! This guy most likely is able to send out positive ‘vital life-energy’ to help those in need.
(Believe it or not: ) One can simply feel, depending on one’s level of ‘achievement’ or advancement in the practice of projection qigong, nature of character and state of mind etc., the serenity energy and joy emitted and resonating in one’s palms or body. Am talking about the ‘aura’ of your Taiji sifu assuming he is a true master! and you are so fortunate!
the following copied from another older posting as background info:
' ...
江湖老人 -
(re line 4 of original Chinese poem: '彎月明明在宇邊':)
老年人君，一般的發亮不能稱作 “明明”。古文或古詩詞有用 “明明”來形容彎月嗎？如有，請舉例！
一老年人 -
江湖老人兄，早安！神交已久，多謝寶貴意見。
Alekloba -
一老年人君，
“我明明看見你站在那邊” 中的 “明明” 當然是作 “顯然”解，但相信閣下的詩句“明明” 作光亮解。羡魚君的英譯也將 “明明” 譯成 “so bright” 。
At the Sky’s edge the crescent Moon so bright.
o yes, i ... '羡魚君的英譯也將 “明明” 譯成 “so bright” -- but do let me explain myself here: that’s only for the general readers under Level 1** definition above! (and readership of my work is not so great here!) and now i do wish to change this to “quite bright”.
for Levels 2é3** readers or v experienced and accomplished taiji si-hing or si-tse able to emit qi externally (like yours truly) for healing purposes -- o, so far in the hkej forum i have not met anyone who claims she or he can do that! -- that is an entirely different story...
"老朽也認同 Alekloba 所說，“彎月明明” 是說得不通的..."
i agree urs & Alekloba's comments are not invalid in the normal circumstances.
but this particular poem was 'extracted' from Golden Bow's daily blog in which there was a poetic sparring -- through alternate & fast exchange o poems -- between No Desire Swordsman with his invisible 'sword-in-the-heart' and the Old Man o Advanced Years, using the very visible “彎月明明” -- the shiny curved broadsword in the sky -- as his weapon o choice!
hence, this somewhat 'odd use of the terms' “彎月明明” in both c and e. we/they are just being playful!>
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