Glossary entry (derived from question below)
May 25, 2007 08:22
17 yrs ago
日本語 term
User Manuals, Codes of Conduct, Medical
Native in: マライ語 
Works in: 英語 から マライ語, マライ語, マライ語 から 英語
Furoshiki
日本語 から 英語
その他
その他
I am translating from English into Malay a directory of gadgets for the cat character, Doraemon. This was translated from Japanese into English already but some of the words are left in Japanese. One of the items looks like a handkerchief and it's called "Time-Furoshiki". I'm not sure why Furoshiki isn't translated. Is this a proper name? I don't know how to handle it in Malay.
Other items include a memory mallet, portable living room, etc.
Thanks.
Other items include a memory mallet, portable living room, etc.
Thanks.
Proposed translations
(英語)
| 5 +5 | Furoshiki - wrapping cloth |
Bart B. Van Bockstaele
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| 5 +1 | fast-forward wrapping cloth |
Yuki Okada
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| 4 | Wrapping Cloth |
akjha
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Proposed translations
+5
12分
Bart B. Van Bockstaele
カナダ
カナダ
カナダ
30+ Years in Translation and Computers
Native in: オランダ語
Works in: オランダ語, 英語 から オランダ語, フランス語 から オランダ語, and 1 more.
Related KudoZ points
:
4
Selected
Furoshiki - wrapping cloth
There is a reason why this is not normally translated. In English, it would have to be called a "kerchief", but even that would be no more than an approximation. Wrapping cloth is a correct description, but you lose a lot of the mystery and wonder surrounding the object.
A furoshiki is nothing more than a square piece of cloth that is used to wrap objects. There is a whole culture surrounding this simple (but oftentimes not so simple, and very beautifully decorated) piece of textile. One can even take lessons in how to be creative and beautifully wrap all types of objects, sometimes just for utilitarian reasons, at other times for gift-giving.
In short, I would also not translate it. I would use the original term, and put an explanation in brackets. Doraemon is designed for children, and children love this type of "weird" or creative vocabulary.
Have fun with Doraemon! He is one of my favourite Japanese characters.
A furoshiki is nothing more than a square piece of cloth that is used to wrap objects. There is a whole culture surrounding this simple (but oftentimes not so simple, and very beautifully decorated) piece of textile. One can even take lessons in how to be creative and beautifully wrap all types of objects, sometimes just for utilitarian reasons, at other times for gift-giving.
In short, I would also not translate it. I would use the original term, and put an explanation in brackets. Doraemon is designed for children, and children love this type of "weird" or creative vocabulary.
Have fun with Doraemon! He is one of my favourite Japanese characters.
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
Kurt Hammond
: Yes, tough one. "Time-wrapping cloth" doesn't sound right. "Time-kerchief" sounds cool but the cultural meaning is lost.
1分
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Thanks, Kurt. Time-kerchief sounds indeed good. If this would have been a translation for adults, as a cultural equivalent, it would have been great. Unfortunately, it really does away with all the mystery that surrounds the Japanese language and culture.
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| agree |
nordlys75
: I agree with your insight for the meaning of "Furoshiki". I meant the same in my comment for another entry.
4分
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Thank you, Kumagai san.
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| agree |
Mumu Watanabe (X)
42分
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Thanks
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| agree |
michiko tsum (X)
12時間
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Thanks
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| agree |
KathyT
: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Furoshiki
13時間
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Thanks
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4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "Thanks for your explanation, Bart. I'm not sure if I should leave the original Japanese term, though, especially for kids, who may not understand or even care about its cultural background."
5分
Wrapping Cloth
I am not sure why this word was not translated but it means a wrapping cloth.
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Note added at 23 mins (2007-05-25 08:45:55 GMT)
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The reason why I think this was translated as Time-Furoshiki is that the actual sentence could have been "そんな時風呂敷が。。。。"The translation tool would have considered 時風呂敷 as a compound word and would have not been able to find a suitable translation for 時風呂敷. That may be the reason why it is translated as Time-Furoshiki.
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Note added at 23 mins (2007-05-25 08:45:55 GMT)
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The reason why I think this was translated as Time-Furoshiki is that the actual sentence could have been "そんな時風呂敷が。。。。"The translation tool would have considered 時風呂敷 as a compound word and would have not been able to find a suitable translation for 時風呂敷. That may be the reason why it is translated as Time-Furoshiki.
Note from asker:
| Thanks, akjha. |
Peer comment(s):
| neutral |
nordlys75
: Furoshiki is a "wrapping cloth", but it also has a unique cultural meaning for most of us in Japan , not just as a cloth, so I guess this is why it was not translated.
8分
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+1
4時間
fast-forward wrapping cloth
Doraemon is my son's favourite manga and we have almost all over fifty comic books and a number of videos. This is how he learns to read Japanese and I am grateful for Doraemon!
Now, it is the "time" part that you need translated, or explained.
Time furoshiki is a wrapping cloth that advances, or fast-forwards, the time that applies to what is wrapped. It is another kind of time machine. For example, if you wrap a seed with time furoshiki and wait just for a short time, you get a grown-up plant.
Now, it is the "time" part that you need translated, or explained.
Time furoshiki is a wrapping cloth that advances, or fast-forwards, the time that applies to what is wrapped. It is another kind of time machine. For example, if you wrap a seed with time furoshiki and wait just for a short time, you get a grown-up plant.
Note from asker:
| Thanks, Yuki. I used to watch Doraemon cartoons on TV too when my daughter was younger, but they were all dubbed in Malay already and I never really paid attention to the gadget names! |
Peer comment(s):
| neutral |
michiko tsum (X)
: If I remember correctly, the time furoshiki can bring things back to the past as well.
8時間
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My son came back from school and corrected me on that!
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| agree |
Nobuo Kameyama
: My two boys (10 and 13 years old), who watch Doraemon every week, insist that Yuki is partially right. Yes it can also brings things back to the past as well as Michiko wrote. How about "(a piece of) time-travel wrapping cloth?"
10時間
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Yes, your sons are right. Ramona, think about whatever sounds right in Malay!
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| neutral |
Bart B. Van Bockstaele
: I own and have watched a few hundred Doraemon cartoons. People who disagree with you, simply don't know Doraemon. In English, time-kerchief would be the best translation, unfortunately, the word kerchief has very disgusting connotations for many people.
11時間
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Discussion