[Ch 4] Cicadas and Summer in Japan

[onizuka-gto]

The sound of cicadas seems to be symbolic of summertime in Japan. Perhaps someone else can fill in why Haruhi would be likely to be hunting for them.

--The naming game 11:33, 10 May 2006 (PDT)

It's a summer pastime of kids and childish adults in Japan. You catch cicadas with big nets (like Western kids catching butterflies) and put them in little cages. Depending on the time of year, there are many different active types of cicada, each with a characteristic song. Some species are specifically associated with the end of summer and the resumption of school with the second semester -- species such as the つくつく法師 (tsukutsuku-boushi semi), which sings from late summer until well into autumn.


--Freak Of Nature 14:41, 10 May 2006 (PDT)


Nevertheless, almost all cicadas in all anime series sound exactly the same. Nowadays, the childish adults would probably just stay home and play bishoujo games.

--Eleutheria 22:40, 10 May 2006 (PDT)

So those are cicadas, I don't know what's gotten into heads of those official Taiwanese translators, but the Chinese term I read clearly said "locusts". I had no idea why Haruhi would "hunt for locusts", but I just translated what I saw, so thanks for rectifying that out.

--Kinny Riddle 20:39, 11 May 2006 (HKT)

I seriously don't get how they can make that mistake. I lived in Hong Kong and Singapore for years, and in both places, the Chinese locals had the same custom of catching cicadas or crickets or whatever and putting them in little cages. You could buy cicadas/crickets in cages, at some of the markets in Kowloon.

So, I can't understand how a Taiwanese translator can possibly miss that reference. Not only is the practice part of Chinese behaviour (in some locations, at least) -- it is also an integral element of Japanese culture, and therefore something that a translator shouldn't miss.

--Freak Of Nature 08:02, 11 May 2006 (PDT)