Question Terms for BL novels

Discussion in 'Novel General' started by Wenhui, Nov 11, 2017.

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Which of these terms would you pick?

  1. Top-Bottom. (English, please.)

    33.3%
  2. Gong-Shou (Chinese, I want to keep the flavour)

    34.5%
  3. Seme-Uke (Japanese just because...)

    32.2%
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  1. kiara8

    kiara8 Lurking

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    Welll, then, do you know just how many were disappointed to find out that it was for a het novel? :cry::cry::cry:
     
  2. Wenhui

    Wenhui One Who Kidnaps Chapters

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    Ehe~ Not the exact number no...
    I can only estimate from the more vocal members... (here's to hoping no one decides to burn me at the stake :blobphone:)
     
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  3. yuzuki

    yuzuki [sweet night] [plum blossoms]

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    Top bottom in translation. Unless your author is a weeboo.

    When I refer to it casually in comments and stuff I often switch to uke seme (because I’m a weeaboo xD)
     
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  4. readerz

    readerz Madam Jin

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    :blobangel: Both authors of my two projects like to use Japanese terms like loli, tsundere, shotacon, etc. :cookie: I've also read CN novels where the main character is an otaku. I can't remember which but one CN novel started with MC waiting for the Sesshomaru figure that he ordered online to arrive.
     
  5. SnowTime

    SnowTime Busy Busy Busy, I Dug Too Many Holes

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    I would also use top-bottom if I'm tling CN novels since using jap in a CN annoys me unless the author already puts it in there. And like most people said... most of them don't know the CN variation hahaha.
     
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  6. Poor_Hero

    Poor_Hero your hope is crushed under the flag of "REALITY"

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    I don't really mind with these three terms since I'm used to it now, lol. though I think it's better to use English term since not all of us understand those terms unless there are notes which explain the meaning o.o
     
  7. Dahlia

    Dahlia Well-Known Member

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    Personally I'd prefer top/bottom because I don't read Japanese yaoi, and seme/uke confuse me. I would have to consult urban dictionary >_>
     
  8. Wenhui

    Wenhui One Who Kidnaps Chapters

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    I got them confused too lol
    See how it's different from the other two?
    Yeah, couldn't remember off the top of my head so it's backwards :blobrofl:
     
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  9. cheerydandan

    cheerydandan Casual Lurker, Professional Procrastinator

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    hahaha... true... but the novel is interesting though, I have it on my list. It's not like we fujoshis only read BL :blobwink::blob_grin::blob_grin:
     
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  10. kiara8

    kiara8 Lurking

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    Yeah. But I’m here hoping for more bl, there’s just not enough translated, and mtl do crazy things to your brain
     
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  11. cheerydandan

    cheerydandan Casual Lurker, Professional Procrastinator

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    true, and the alternative would be learning chinese (or japanese or korean but there are a heck ton of danmei novels :blobokhand:)... I don't think I have the time to do that
     
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  12. SummerX

    SummerX Well-known fujoshi

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    top/btm? I use uke/seme sometimes when I discussing it with people, but I never encounter these terms in the novels I translate.

    Somehow I don't like gong shou appearing in a novel. Using 1/0 is better cause that's what Chinese gay people use. But with the danmei culture growing, I see many gay men start to use gong/shou too.
     
  13. Rumby

    Rumby Rumbly Tumbly

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    Top bottom
    because i'm an idiot and tend to have to look up what the other ones means when i cant remember >•<"
     
  14. Raizendeville

    Raizendeville [The Idle Lord] (눈_눈)| [Piñata Infantry Commander]

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    Top- bottom...

    Though using seme- uke or gong-shou.. Works just fine..but it depends on the novel...
     
  15. Raizendeville

    Raizendeville [The Idle Lord] (눈_눈)| [Piñata Infantry Commander]

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    Hehehe, yeah~
    Though seme-uke or gong-shou.. Is easier to say...
     
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  16. Rumby

    Rumby Rumbly Tumbly

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    I know right? Lol
    I also think they're shorter to type in comparison
     
  17. Raizendeville

    Raizendeville [The Idle Lord] (눈_눈)| [Piñata Infantry Commander]

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    Yeah, and besides these terms are more commonly used... So it's hard to find someone who can't understand it(except for those who ain't reading BL/danmei)
     
  18. Fairlady1996

    Fairlady1996 Well-Known Member

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    i came because of the title
     
  19. Koumika

    Koumika Well-Known Member

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    Yeah, same opinion.
     
  20. Szara

    Szara Your average American Psycho

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    For once, I want a couple that switches roles. Seke. It will blow everyone’s minds.

    Seriously though, I find it (mildly) annoying that most authors who write BL apply their heteronormative views to gay relationships.

    The bottom/shou/uke is usually treated as a “woman.” And that role comes with the same sexist BS that only women face, like slut shaming.

    Seriously, it’s ridiculous. Like in this story I was reading, TheWorldHasGoneCrazy, the uke slut-shames himself... even though he’s a freakin’ virgin! ‘Oh no, he’s so filthy for accidentally watching porn one time!’

    But then there are annoying double standards: One of the Male Leads—who is top/gong/seme, is like a huge slut who sleeps around with a bunch of dudes, but he’s never shamed for it... because people see him as a “Man.” :hmm: :blobconfused:

    So if a gay man takes it up the bunghole, is he no longer considered a man or something?

    I’m sure a lot of gay men have “preferences”— like top or bottom, but it’s kinda weird that they’ve never even tried the other role. It seems that Tops are always Tops in the world of BL.

    IDK, I’d just like to see some variety, man. Sorry for ranting, I dunno where else to discuss it. It’s not like I can walk up to people InRealLife and be like, “Hello, do you have a moment to talk about the issues in Online Gay Romance Novels?”

    EDIT: wow, I just realized this thread is old...
     
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