Time for a quick maths quiz

[roddy]

I have one hundred apples in my pockets. Thanks to the correct economic leadership of the Party, the number of apples in my pockets then 增长1.5倍. How many apples do I have in my pockets now?

This has come up before, but not with fractions.

[li3wei1]

I'd say you have 250 apples, but I'm translating into English. Is it possible to 增长1倍?

[Guest realmayo]

Yeah seems like it should be 250, if it was English I would suggest rewording to remove ambiguity unless you're writing for an apple-focused readership where there is a fixed convention. Presumably you're more interested in finding out how it "feels" to a native speaker.

I think the distinction is whether something increases 1.5 times, or if the rate of increase is 1.5 times another rate.

I'd have guessed the Chinese 增长1倍 or 增长1.5倍 would be a bit less ambiguous than the English?

Would 增加 instead of 增长 be even clearer?

[Glenn]

I'd say 150 (1.5倍 = 1.5 x N). Now I can't wait to see how much of a minority I'm in.

[roddy]

Wot, no native speakers? Skysky? Kenken?

[Kenny同志]

I'd say now you have 250 apples.

By the way, how large are your pockets? Can you post a picture of you carrying those apples?

PS: 拜託，我都快三十了，別老叫我Kenken。

[roddy]

You do seem to have aged somewhat...

Ok, if you've answered take a look at this, The (or an) answer comes at the 1:00 mark, but do watch the whole thing as it's funny. Particularly the race graphic a few seconds later.

[Guest realmayo]

That's a fine video: the lady conveys pride and happiness and gratitude and one-upmanship (-upnationship?) with that smile -- the idea of anyone maintaining that look of blissful happiness while discussing economic data must be newsreading with Chinese (or North Korean) characteristics.

I'm a bit concerned that China is bleeding out of its chest at 0:42 though.

[Kenny同志]

Thanks for the link. I've watched the video. Good propaganda!

Edit: I am curious; do you watch 新聞聯播 often?

[roddy]

What do you think about the numbers though, Kenny?

[Kenny同志]

Hmm, the man says that the value of China's GDP in 2001 was one third of that in 2011. I have no idea how they have arrived at the conclusion that it had increased 1.5 times over the decade.

[roddy]

I think the logic must be that 100 increases 1倍 to 200, then from 200 it increases .5倍 to 300.

I came across the use of 倍 with a fraction in a translation, which sent me looking for examples, hence finding that little gem of a video. I've added a note to the client explaining that I don't know what it means, and I doubt anyone else does either.

[Kenny同志]

Who knows? Anyway, do you watch 新聞聯播 often?

[li3wei1]

It's incredible how innumerate people are, including people who should know better. And how much they get away with it. Makes you wonder (if you weren't already wondering) how accurate either the 2001 or 2011 figures are.

[Kenny同志]

I came across the use of 倍 with a fraction in a translation, which sent me looking for examples, hence finding that little gem of a video. I've added a note to the client explaining that I don't know what it means, and I doubt anyone else does either.

I see. Take a look at this page. You may find the examples of help.

[Guest realmayo]

Perhaps they got the 1.5x from 01:48 in the video?

[Kenny同志]

Let's forget about the video. We have tons of other examples which are way better.

[roddy]

My problem is, Kenny, have the people I'm translating read those examples (which, incidentally, don't seem to include fractions).

[Kenny同志]

My problem is, Kenny, have the people I'm translating read those examples

I am confused. Do you mean your clients by "the people I'm translating"?