Question [CN] how to put this 另一张皮 in english?

Discussion in 'Translator's Corner' started by jacha, Jan 13, 2019.

  1. jacha

    jacha Well-Known Member

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    it looks a bit like reverse wolf in sheep's skin

    context: 老鼠就是贵族的另一张皮——普通人可没那么多营养去修炼斗气,只有贵族才能豢养出老鼠。

    Thanks
    Bye, have a beautiful time
     
  2. Playful Devil Miki995

    Playful Devil Miki995 [Happy go lucky~]

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    Camouflage? Not sure though
     
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  3. jingsen

    jingsen Well-Known Member

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    I don't know what's with the mouse in this context (老鼠)but this sentence in the literal context means: a mouse is another side of being a noble -- ordinary people are not able to support the training of douqi(斗气), and only a noble can train up a mouse.

    I'm not sure if there's a hidden meaning to using this type of phrasing tbh, but if so I'm leaning towards cowardice or taking revenge etc being a noble thing as commoners can't do so.

    Perhaps someone more proficient in Chinese can help you properly as mine isn't the best sorry.
     
    Last edited: Jan 13, 2019
  4. jacha

    jacha Well-Known Member

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    老鼠 is a term for smugglers, pirates, and other scum
     
  5. Green Apple

    Green Apple Actually I'm secretly an orange.

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    So... Only nobles can afford having personal thugs\assassins? (don't know chinese btw)
     
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  6. Irie

    Irie Internet Bystander

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    Can't tell if the 老鼠 is the noble's other identity or hired people as their shields even if you say its a term for scum :hmm: just gonna assume its the former since you said reverse wolf in sheep's skin so... facade? guise?
     
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  7. anyudr

    anyudr Well-Known Member

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    more context needed :
    “领主大人,这里有一艘小船的残骸,看它的造型,应该是大船上携带的接驳小船。被海水不断冲刷,只剩下一点儿木板了。”科斯托将小船残骸翻转过来,残骸直接碎掉,木屑散落一地。
    然后,他又走到几副白骨旁边:“一共三副人类的尸骸,我检查过,还算完好,没有丢失太多骨头。他们有携带兵器,是骨剑,骨头很坚硬,但不是骑士剑造型,所以他们应该是一群老鼠。”
     骑士,顾名思义,是骑马的战士。
    骑士是战争的主力,是军队的组成,领主之间的战争,就是骑士之间的冲锋。但是,并非所有修炼斗气的人,都选择成为一名骑士——骑士是贵族制度下的产物,依然有一些人选择游离于贵族制度之外。
     这些人,是走私者、是边缘人、是卑劣的阶层。
      他们不服从领主的管理,不事生产,自由散漫,从事者违背贵族制度的行业——偷盗、抢劫、走私、拉皮条,或者接受雇佣,进行暗杀、贩奴等。
      这些人,理所当然被称为——老鼠。
      但他们自己称呼自己为——游侠。
      “老鼠么。”李斯特没有多少触动,他对老鼠并不陌生,自己与李维斯合作贩奴,就少不了要跟老鼠合作。
      贵族痛斥、贬低这群人为老鼠,但不妨碍他们与老鼠合作。毕竟很多肮脏的勾动,贵族不好亲自动手,便需要老鼠出面。蓝宝石大公国出没的海盗,也属于老鼠——基本上都是贵族假扮。
      或者说。
     老鼠就是贵族的另一张皮——普通人可没那么多营养去修炼斗气,只有贵族才能豢养出老鼠。
      李斯特认为,郁金香家族,也有自己的老鼠。
    --------------------------------------
    agree with Green Apple. Or just say rats are noble's shadow.
     
    Last edited: Jan 14, 2019