Chinese Character Tattoos/Translations?

[serijules]

D and I have been searching for a phrase in Chinese to tattoo on my calf. I have always loved the look of them and although everyone and their brother does it, I still think it is beautiful if not very unique.

Anyhow...we found a legit translation service, but we are having trouble finding a phrase that shows what we want, as the guy will not translate unless the results have the meaning we are wanting/intending (made me realize how many people are walking around out there with something tattood on them that means probably next to nothing what they imagine it does). Our request was simple...she calls me her garnet or her jewel, so we were looking for the translation of "Her garnet".

The translator wrote back saying that there was a symbol for garnet and jewel, but it would not take on the meaning that we want. I assume he means that it wouldn't come across as a "precious jewel" in the sense of a person, but as a dictionary type meaning of "hard stone" or something like that. He didn't really specify.

Does anyone have a D/s related chinese character tattoo, or any understanding of the language and can help us understand what CAN be translated to what we want? He did say there was a symbol for female slave, but that there wasn't another way to show dominance and submission in females in the language beyound that as it isn't "condoned" in chinese culture.

Is it possible to translate names? Any other phrases along the lines of "belonging to her" that would be possible?

 

[esclave_PP]

This is one of my favorite sites...please check it out -- HTH!

http://www.violently.com/pg8/tatguide/

 

[serijules]

Great site, thanks!

There is a symbol for "own". I really wish the translation for jewel could be combined with that though.

What a fascinating and complicated language.

 

[catalina_francisco]

I think I would be wary of sites which are designed around tattooing or lifestyle concepts simply because the translation can be of secondary importance to the purpose of the site....and I know of a couple of cases where people found out after the tattoo was done that it was not what they intended or even anything legible, and yet were told beforehand it was absolutely authentic. I know I was doing something on the PC the other day ( might have been a photoshop application) where you wrote something and then could translate it into several languages. Other than that you could also try some of the free online translation services and ask to have the english translated into Chinese then double check by going through another such service. Good luck.

Catalina

 

[esclave_PP]

This one is okay, I checked with an asian friend of mine. But you're right, do be careful. I have the japanese kanji "peace" in the middle of my back. However, Master does joke and say, "Peace" of ass.

Here are some more sites:


http://japanese.about.com/bltattoo.htm This one looks very promising -- scroll toward bottom

http://japanese.about.com/gi/dynami...://www.csse.monash.edu.au/~jwb/wwwjnames.html

http://japanese.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?site=http://www.oren.jp/kanji.htm They will translate the word you want for a tattoo.

http://chineseculture.about.com/library/weekly/aa103199.htm

http://chineseculture.about.com/library/extra/character/bls_characters.htm

 

[serijules]

Yes, I don't plan to take anyone's word for anything online....the translation is coming from a legit translation service. Mostly I'm just looking around while Im communicating with him to try to have a better understanding of what is reasonable to request, etc. This is the type of decision that takes a LOT of research and I'm still not sure I want to do it, but...won't know without looking I figure!

 

[~Blacklace~]

*waves*

 

[arctic-stranger]

There are a few things in languages that cannot be translated well. In communal society's such as China, ownership is a tricky proposition. In Japanese there is a word which means "That which no one believes privately, but every one accepts publicly." Arabic does not have a word for compromise.

Contrary to common belief, inupiaq, the language of the Western Eskimos, does not have a variety of words for snow, but english does. (Corn snow, sugar snow, powder, sleet, just to name a few)

At one of the exhibits of thes Chinese, they had people there writing your "name" in Chinse on T- Shirts. I know that my name is unpronouncable in most languages (and it is not that strange a name, but i have two sounds in it that are usually not found in other languages) so i asked him instead to write "Serve the People" on it (a popular Maoist slogan). The man lit up, and took my shirt to the back room, and they worked on it for 20 minutes, and brought me back a beautifully inscribed calligraphy writing.

Sometimes i think that the chinese symbols people have tattooed on them, or hang on their walls really say "I smell worse than the back end of a menstrating skunk."

 

[DustyWolfe]

Keep in mind that in East Asia there are many different dialects... People in China speak many dialects. I wont claim to know much about Chinese language outside of knowing that people speak Chinese and Mandarin.

But if you are at all interested in Japanese ( because you might find something you like there as well) there are four scripts (that I know of) that you might look into; Katakana, Kanji, Hiragana and Romaji.

Good luck in finding something you like

 

[DustyWolfe]

This one is okay, I checked with an asian friend of mine. But you're right, do be careful. I have the japanese kanji "peace" in the middle of my back. However, Master does joke and say, "Peace" of ass.

Here are some more sites:


http://japanese.about.com/bltattoo.htm This one looks very promising -- scroll toward bottom

http://japanese.about.com/gi/dynami...://www.csse.monash.edu.au/~jwb/wwwjnames.html

http://japanese.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?site=http://www.oren.jp/kanji.htm They will translate the word you want for a tattoo.

http://chineseculture.about.com/library/weekly/aa103199.htm

http://chineseculture.about.com/library/extra/character/bls_characters.htm

I just finished looking through your likes. The Kanji one is pretty cool. As far as the different japanese scripts are concerned I like the looks of Kanji the best. In fact, I like it so much that I have been learning Kanji over the last few months. It's a slow process!

 

[esclave_PP]

I tried to learn Japanese...got sidetracked. I love the kanji tat I have...I think kanji is quite beautiful.

Serijules I hope you find what you're looking for and when you do, take a pic once it's done! I am sure it will be as lovely as your other ones!