Sunday, March 8, 2009

Life is tough for You and Me (Part 1) - 艰苦的生活 (jiān kǔ de shēnɡ huó)

Doing translation from Chinese to English does injustice to the Chinese Literature. At most we can manage to obtain is the "gist". This remark is make by many people including (Dr.) Ms Lee Wei Ling, Director of the National Neuroscience Institute, in her article "A meaningful life in good times and bad", published by TheSundayTimes on March 8, 2009.


Picture is retrieve from http://twinswongdiary.blogspot.com/

Ms Lee mentioned "Intellectual knowledge and emotional reaction involve different areas of the brain and ... " after intellectual reasoning comes the emotion. We therefore are unable to remain calm and emotionally detached when misfortune strikes. Similarly something different and new will excite and increase our curiosity.

Trying to discover another language and bring its meaningful content to another language requires effort. The reward is that it brings satisfaction upon accomplishment. Discovering the Chinese language and bringing its content to English language is one enjoyable way to increase the brain activities. It has been known that doing these translations improve and stimulate many areas of the brain. These in turn reduce the rate of senility and help to maintain the functioning of our mind.

For most of us, misfortune occurred many times, since the beginning of our life. We came out and shortly make to cry so that our body mechanism started its operating and developing functions. Then comes the stress to face the harsh world. We have to grow, develop and maintain our emotional health and living skills. Until now, we still have added stresses and challenges. At this moment, "The Great Recession" is haunting and tearing us apart.

Some of the following Chinese sayings may describe the situation and predicaments more meaningfully.

历史上空前绝后 – Unmatched in history (Of the past)
Lì shǐ shàng kōng qián jué hòu


Picture is retrieve from http://www.airmb.com/uploadfile/200806/17/2035422489.jpg


机会越来越渺茫 – Opportunity is getting lesser and lesser
Jī huì Yuè lái Yuè miǎo máng


Picture is retrieve from http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh162/laurieming/a21dd0bb.jpg

机会空前无有 – Opportunity unheard of and is appearing now
Jī huì kōng qián wú yǒu


Picture is retrieve from http://fmn004.xnimg.cn/fmn004/blog/20080715/20/40/A561762420670GAR.jpg


休想美梦成真 – Forget about your beautiful dream coming true
Xiū xiǎng měi mèng chéng zhēn


Picture is retrieve from http://img.blog.163.com/photo/PECCxmTDMUHlFAsuZ_Q1wg==/4558768722806678587.jpg


千载难逢的机会 – A golden opportunity; the chance of a lifetime
Qiān zǎi nán fénɡ de jī huì

好自为之 – Make best use of it
Hǎo zì wèi zhī

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幸勿失之交臂 – Don't let slip such a golden opportunity
Xìng wù shī zhī jiāo bì


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怅惋不已 – Regret losing the chance
Chàng wǎn bù yǐ


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理所当然 – Take things for granted
Lǐ suǒ dāng rán


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自以为是 – Smug, full of oneself
Zì yǐ wéi shì




最高近界 – The highest, best, closest or most expert
zuì ɡāo jìn jiè


Picture is retrieve from http://www.yxgz.cn/Files/Remoteupfile/2007-11/28/2007062214154265501.jpg

通情达理 – Understanding and reasonable; sensible
Tōng qíng dá lǐ


Picture is retrieve from http://twinswongdiary.blogspot.com/

随心所欲 – To do as one likes, wishes
Suí xīn suǒ yù


Picture is retrieve from http://www.up37.com/bbs/UploadFile/2007-10/2210105787993.jpg


做事不能太随心所欲了，要顾全大局 – One cannot do things all as one wishes, one should bear in mind the overall situation
Zuò shì bù néng tài suí xīn suǒ yù le, yào gù quán dà jú


Translated by Dr. eye 7.0 (Commercial Version) For Windows 2000/XP/2003 developed by Inventec (Shanghai) Corporation © 2006

Han Yu Pin Yin by Clavis Sinica Chinese Text Annotator developed by a faculty member at the University of Michigan as a supplementary learning tool for English-speaking students of the Chinese language. © Copyright Clavis Sinica 2008

References
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