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Talk:Chen

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Revision as of 04:11, 4 March 2021 by Mazian (talk | contribs) (→‎Translating her title)
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Two tails?

You can never see her tails in Perfect Cherry Blossom... How do you know she has 2 tails? MoonRabbit 10:24, 31 January 2011 (UTC)

She's a nekomata, and nekomata have two tails. -- Qazmlpok 12:47, 31 January 2011 (UTC)
There are two tails on her picture from PMiSS. --WGH 13:06, 31 January 2011 (UTC)

The spelling of her name

I've overlooked this fact, but now I wonder why she is spelt as "Chen", not as "Cheng", while "Meirin" is spellt as "Meiling". The pronunciation of her name suggests it's consistent to spell the Chinese-like Japanese name into Roman Alphabet for the rules of romanization of Chinese, even though the spelling "Chen" is used much widely... --masuo64 Talk 14:33, 30 December 2011 (UTC)

I guess that this is an inconsistency out of habit for English-speakers. I wonder, are there any guidelines that indicate which one should be used?--Tosiaki 18:43, 30 December 2011 (UTC)
Although, I do think that if there is one reason for this inconsistency, it would be because Meiling is more related to the "Chinese" aspect than Chen is. At least it seems - I am not entirely sure.--Tosiaki 19:09, 30 December 2011 (UTC)
As article says: The pronunciation of her name, "Chen", is derived from the obsolete Chinese reading of . In Japanese, that character would be read as "tou" or "daidai"; in modern Chinese, "cheng". So, for Classical Chinese word current romanization is correct. (reference (page in Russian, though)) --Coyc 21:18, 30 December 2011 (UTC)
Looking into it more, it seems that the reading "cheng" would have been closer to チョン than チェン, and both "chen" and "cheng" could be used to read until a standardization in 1985 so that it would thereafter only be read "cheng."--Tosiaki 21:59, 30 December 2011 (UTC)

OK, look at official profile, all written by a Japanese person, ZUN. Also, many Japanese people uses "CHEEEEEN!" prononciation, so to Touhou standerds, it must be Chen. Tony64 (Talk/Con.) 02:17, 31 December 2011 (UTC)

However, none of the official profiles ever did say "Meiling" though. If "Chen" wasn't an actual pronounciation for in Chinese (before 1985), then there would have been an inconsistency. Luckily we are able to find a reason to say that it isn't inconsistent - namely, that it is a former Chinese reading (used before 1985).--Tosiaki 02:23, 31 December 2011 (UTC)

If this is true then ZUN's own name would be wrong to spell as "Chun" due to the same characters appearing i his name. And that, is silly. ♥★♦ 02:21, 31 December 2011 (UTC)

Translating her title

As a translation of 凶兆, "Bad Omens" isn't incorrect, but I don't think it's contextually appropriate here. "Bad Omens" in the plural makes it sound like she has this loose connection with various phenomena that portend misfortune. But wait a minute. She's a black cat. Black cats are a bad omen. This reference is obvious if you think about it, but the translation unnecessarily obscures it. "Black Cat of Ill Omen" would more idiomatic and would make that connection clearer by associating Chen with the general idea of portended misfortune.

Makes sense to me. I'm sure I've seen that translation in fanworks elsewhere. -- Mazian (talk) 04:11, 4 March 2021 (UTC)