Talk:Hu Shih

Correct translation of 哎喲

Following on form, but taking a radically different track for, this forum discussion [1]. I deliberately waited until the censorship issue had resolved before raising the translation issue as I don't want the issue of censorship to cloud this topic. Aside form cries of censorship there is a more pertinent issue relating to this article. Namely, what is the real translation for 哎喲!

The Chinese word 哎喲 (pinyin: aīyo) is not an expletive. Nor is it a swear word. No Chinese person would take even the slightest offence on hearing it.

'Aīyo!' is an interjection. There is no direct translation in to English. In general it is a expression of surprise and also pain. Possibly close translations in English include 'Eek!' and 'Ouch!' or 'Argghhh!'. However, since the word is also onomatopoeic, if it was in a Kong Fu movie with Bruce lee or Jackie Chan, then it would not be dubbed into English. It would be left as 'Aīyo'.

The long and the short of it, censorship excluded, 'Shit' is the wrong word here. Derek Harkness 01:15, 21 April 2007 (CDT)

I actually thought the same thing upon seeing it (I have taken a fair number of Chinese classes). However, I wasn't sure what an acceptable translation would be, so I just left it as it was. Maybe "Ah!" or "Oh!"?--Dana Lutenegger 19:28, 23 April 2007 (CDT)

I've settled on 'Yikes!' as the closest English interjection. Edited the poem apropriatly. Also tweeked a few other lines though still not 100% happy with it. Derek Harkness 13:36, 18 May 2007 (CDT)