Editing Chinese Names
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− | The '''Chinese names''' of various people and dragons are presented in the books as romanized transliterations. Each syllable represents a single [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_character sinographic] | + | The '''Chinese names''' of various people and dragons are presented in the books as romanized transliterations. Each syllable represents a single [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_character sinographic] word. |
In general, traditional Chinese names consist of a single-syllable family name followed by a personal name. The personal name may consist of one or two syllables. Two-syllable personal names, especially for males, often begin with a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Generation_name generational indicator]. | In general, traditional Chinese names consist of a single-syllable family name followed by a personal name. The personal name may consist of one or two syllables. Two-syllable personal names, especially for males, often begin with a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Generation_name generational indicator]. | ||
== Humans == | == Humans == | ||
− | Outside the Imperial family, the Chinese names of humans are | + | Outside the Imperial family, the Chinese names of humans are often given in a two-part format. It is unclear whether this represents a two-part personal name, or a family name followed by a one-part (or truncated) personal name. |
=== The Imperial family === | === The Imperial family === | ||
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In the case of the [[Jiaqing Emperor]], "Jiaqing" (嘉慶) is his regnal title. His two-part personal name was Yongyan; in his youth, it was written as 永琰, but upon his ascension to the throne, he changed the first sinograph to the homonym 顒. "Yong" is the indicator for his generation of the family, as can be seen by comparison to the name of his brother [[Prince Yongxing]]. | In the case of the [[Jiaqing Emperor]], "Jiaqing" (嘉慶) is his regnal title. His two-part personal name was Yongyan; in his youth, it was written as 永琰, but upon his ascension to the throne, he changed the first sinograph to the homonym 顒. "Yong" is the indicator for his generation of the family, as can be seen by comparison to the name of his brother [[Prince Yongxing]]. | ||
− | The emperor's sons, [[Prince Miankai]] and [[Prince Mianning]], are also referred to by two- | + | The emperor's sons, [[Prince Miankai]] and [[Prince Mianning]], are also referred to by two-part personal names. "Ming" is the indicator for their generation of the family. |
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== Dragons == | == Dragons == | ||
− | Chinese dragons have three-part names, | + | Chinese dragons have three-part names, although the structure does not exactly mirror that of human names. |
In her blog, Naomi Novik provided the following information; she linked to some specific sinographs but did not include them in her original post: | In her blog, Naomi Novik provided the following information; she linked to some specific sinographs but did not include them in her original post: | ||
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The ''Yu'' in the name of [[Lung Yu Ping]], a [[Jade]] dragon, is probably 玉, which means "jade". | The ''Yu'' in the name of [[Lung Yu Ping]], a [[Jade]] dragon, is probably 玉, which means "jade". | ||
− | The ''Shen'' in the name | + | The ''Shen'' in the name of [[Shen-Lung]] "Spiritual Dragons" is probably 神, which represents a general concept of "spirit" or "consciousness". |
− | The name of [[Lung Li Po]] is probably based on that of the historical Chinese (human) poet [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Li_Po Li Po]. If so, then ''Li'' (李, "plum | + | The name of [[Lung Li Po]] is probably based on that of the historical Chinese (human) poet [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Li_Po Li Po]. If so, then ''Li'' (李, "plum") may not really indicate a particular dragon breed, although it could refer to a small purple dragon (tentatively dubbed "[[Li-Lung]]") breed seen several times in China. |
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== Transliteration/translation issues== | == Transliteration/translation issues== | ||
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According to other readers elsewhere, Novik oversimplifies the Wade-Giles system in a way that may affect the intended pronunciations. | According to other readers elsewhere, Novik oversimplifies the Wade-Giles system in a way that may affect the intended pronunciations. | ||
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== References== | == References== |