Discussion [SERIOUS] Let's brainstorm a better way to translate "Face"

Face is pretty much a term where people have expectations for you. If you fail or do something stupid, you lose respect from people because you fail to meet their expectations. It is also very hard to gain back that respect. So face is pretty much the equivalent of respect in a western context. However since most xianxia/xuanhuan are of a eastern nature, the term respect cannot really be applied. So keeping it as face would be more suitable.

 

It is better to keep it the way it is, while it is true that to westernized the source would make it easier to understand and read but different languages has their own way of writings. They cannot be perfectly translated without losing some of the nuances, those unnecessary things that you mention could in fact be rid of, but as you said it is moe. By westernizing it you lose the moe. It would just seem closer to a western novel instead, the point of translation is to feel as if you reading the translated works as if it was from the original language itself.

(This is my own opinion and is not considered to represent the views of any other parties)

 

As an editor, i fully support changing most of the ethnic related words and phrases to better suit the english audience; however, for little, understandable, words like "face", i say keep em. They help give me the "oh, this is a cn" kinda feel.

 

I completely appreciate your whole view...but this line alone truly makes me feel...that you should go into politics.

 

No, most people still care about how others view them. Outside of their main group of people they hang around or consider themselves to be apart of, they might not care about how others view them, but within the group of people they hang around, they care.

 

While 'face' isn't common, public 'face' / image or reputation are common enough afaik.

While it's not super obvious without context, you don't need to be some xianxia geek to know what 'face' means.

 

The term "face" is also used in the U.S just not very often.

 

The concept of face has existed in English for over a century now (originating from China). Saving face and losing face are very common expressions and easily understood by most people. It's mostly just giving face that's more unusual.

The reason it starts to sound awkward when you read a lot of Chinese novels is because you're seeing it so frequently, it becomes a case of semantic satiation. It starts to sound strange or meaningless because it's overused (from the perspective of a non-Chinese person where it's not an everyday concern). You just need to get used to the cultural differences.

 

i like 'face' better. to change it is too much of a chore. like "Why don't you give me some face", what should the implied 'face' there be changed to?

 

Ive seen and met many who are otherwise...especially with the newer generations. I will admit many care, however they show it less and less.

 

Nah. Some things, that are cultural concepts, need to be given their own identity when being translated. Respect isn't correct, via a western understanding, because you can respect someones opinion while fiercely arguing with it in public. Honor sure as shit isn't even close. It's like Ren's old post about "Ninja" that he would have translated as "Rogue" or "Thief" back in the day. They have similarities, but they are inherently not the same. Since it's a concept that does not exist in translation, a literal translation with an explanation is best.

 

Face is fine, while it may be an uncommom term, it is not a foreign term that no one gets.

 

The problem isn't the word face. The problem is the overuse of it in CNs

 

Yeah I'm thinking face isn't something that needs to be translate over. It's already there, just the only time we use that term anyways is in "saving face". The other alternatives you have are "public image" and reputation.

 

Face is FACE!!!

Okay, so maybe not so much. Still, the whole point about 'face' is that it isn't just about respect. It also includes reputation, prestige, and honor. A man with a great face would naturally be more entitled to lead or make suggestions to a group then someone without any face at all. Thus the loss of face is a very bad thing, especially when done in a public venue.

 

Dealing with my family is already politics, so no thanks.

 

I know what you mean but I like the word face better in novels.It has a more unique feel that you dont see in other novels that much Its only in Chinese novels you see this kinda stuff in

 

Even if there would be cases where you could replace the word you could not use same replacement everytime as the term has so many meanings in one, replacing it with "honor, reputation or respect" would only work if it was perfectly clear which meaning was intended.
Not to mention that often the meaning really is the whole bundle leaving no better translation than what we already got.

 

Giving and receiving face= Relatives fighting for the bill at a family gathering.

 

exactly used it in a group chat and everyone is like up with these guys so if there is any new guys to the genre they will be confused and @Sythellri and @Nimroth would it not puplic opinion/view fit in all language or occasions