Treasurer of Yellow Emperor

[Daan]

Yes, but that translation was mistaken, since what a Chinese speaker thinks of when he reads 社会科学 is what is known in English as "social sciences and humanities", as you point out. But 黃帝 is simply called the Yellow Emperor in English, and so there's no mistake here: people will think of the same historic figure.

You could argue with that, saying that is not the translation that should have been used in the first place, but it was, and it is now the commonly accepted way to refer to the person known in Chinese as 黃帝. So if you want to tell English speakers about 黃帝, you simply have to refer to him as the Yellow Emperor. They won't know who you are talking about otherwise.

[chrix]

On what basis do you reject the translation "Emperor" , I don't see this as a mistranslation necessarily. You should have a look at how the word "Emperor" and how it evolved.

To specialists it's clear it doesn't equal 皇帝, and in specialist literature often the Yellow Emperor is rendered as "Huang Di", but this wouldn't work in more general works, as nonspecialists would be confused to no end by "Huang Di" and "Huangdi".

[Kenny同志]

Some person came up with a better tanslation of the name of Shakespeare(莎士比亚), 谢诗丕 it was. Sadly it is not used.

Sometimes, a compromise has to be made.

[chrix]

Please let's not lump everything together here. The "Shakespeare" thing is a different problem altogether. Let's stick to "Yellow Emperor"....

[Kenny同志]

I am not in any mood for a debate. This is a discussion but I've sensed something 咄咄逼人 in your words. If this is what you mean then I am gonna back out.

[chrix]

Well, it's simple: you said it's a mistranslation, and I asked what your line of reasoning is for that... Nobody doubts that 黃帝 is not a 皇帝, but the question here is whether he can be called an "Emperor" or not. Nothing 咄咄逼人 about that.

[Kenny同志]

Sorry for the misunderstanding. Anyway, I personally like to call him Huang Di rather than the Yellow Emperor. Just a personal choice.

[chrix]

Sure thing, and whenever it comes up in conversation with nonspecialists (not that it has ever happened ), I would be sure to point up that the Yellow Emperor is a different kind of emperor than say Han Wudi...

[Kenny同志]

Nice to hear that. It's nearing 1 a.m. now. I am off to bed. See you hours later.

[imron]

Anyway, I personally like to call him Huang Di rather than the Yellow Emperor.

I like to say jiaozi instead of dumplings. To me dumplings are these things, and it feels wrong to misappropriate this word for jiaozi (giant ravioli would be a better choice ). But like you said mistranslations abound