Mt. Tai

I recently got around to read ch 182 of Imperial God Emperor and found the quote:

“Sooner or later those fellows with eyes but no pupils, will know my Marquis’ awesomeness.”

It struck me that it was similar to the quote that goes around frequently, "They have eyes but cant see Mt. Tai."

Thoughts?

 

I can't see it.

 

might just be the translators own interpretation of the line, I dunno.

Or it could be like how english has a million ways to say spank the monkey, or tickle the goose.

 

『Its nice change. Well it could be translated in many forms. Tho Marquis' awesomeness....』

 

It's the same thing just said in a different way. You have eyes but cannot see.

 

Maybe the author was sick of 'eyes but can't see Mt. tai'... Wanted to change it up a bit.

 

Well idk, but I think pure white pupils would be badass. Byakugan?

 

Its like John Cena, I always fail to see it

 

happens a lot in Chinese LN, because the MC are usually looked down upon, because of age/ background /power levels. So the translators tend to change it since it happens so frequently but basically the same thing.

 

It is very weird that another world also have mount Tai

 

I'm Mt. Tai so I naturally can't see myself without a large enough mirror

 

if you dont know what this mountain is called then refer to "have eyes but cannot see mt.tai"

 

I have eyes and I still cant see Mt.Tai

 

Then.. "YOU ARE SEEKING DEATH"

 

I has glasses...
Now you must practice Villain in glasses jutsu

 

What Mt. Tai? I only see an anthill.

 

Mt. Tai and no eyeballs are different idioms, they mean similar things, but have different origins.

You have to remember that "china" is really a giant melting pot of cultures within its own borders. There are a lot of localized insults, idioms, etc.. this is one of those instance. It didn't help with the popularization of cantonese phrases seeping into the mainlands during the isolationist period a few decades ago. Gweilo is probably one of the better slang that came out of it if you were to break down the meaning contextually

 

I'm only seeing 3 tree tops and the sky...
Was there supposed to be something?

 

How about a continental mirror?

 

RANDOM CHINESE GUY TO THE RESCUE!!!

Even though " have eyes but no pupils" and "Mt. Tai" is very similar, they are not interchangeable in some instances.

"Mt. Tai" is only used when you are describing something positive, as in you don't understand their greatness.

Whereas :"have eyes but no pupil" can be used to describe something both positive and negative. So for example, if you know that your friend's girlfriend is not as faithful as your friend thinks, you can describe your friend as "have eyes but no pupil."

As a bonus:

There is a second mountain in Chinese that is used as a proverb when people don't know things.

The phrase is roughly translated to "Don't know the true face of Mountain Lu"
(不識廬山真面目 只緣身在此山中)

This is used to described when people don't see the whole situation because they are involved in the situation. It also suggest that everything would become clear once you are not involved with the situation.