Talk:Suzumiya Haruhi:Volume2 Chapter1

Translator's Notes

Autumn being represented by plum blossoms

In Japanese poetry, plum blossoms traditionally represent Spring, not Autumn. See here for more information.

Open Translation Issues

She tilted her head like a manakin reminiscing over the taste of the seeds it ate the day before.

This sentance doesn't make much sense to me. I was about to correct the spelling of "manakin" (which should be either "manikin" or "mannequin"), but the rest of the sentance has me confused. Why would a manakin have been eating seeds the previous day? Is this a reference to something in Japanese culture, or a mistranslation?

--BlckKnght 16:24, 29 May 2006 (PDT)

A manakin is a type of bird, so it makes sense.

Wait, mannikin fits better since they feed mainly on seeds.

Wouldn't 桜文鳥 be a java sparrow?

桜文鳥 - さくらぶんちょう(Sakurabunchou), パイド文鳥(Pied Bunchou) - Sakura (Cherry) or Pied is a mutation of the Java Sparrow

Info: JP Wiki

Image: E-Finch Scroll to bottom for the Pied Java

--GDsMDDLFNGR 01:46, 31 May 2006 (PDT)

So then should it be left as is? The gist of the sentence is still there.

Although just about any bird will do, I'd prefer that we keep these things as close to the original as possibe. ( ﾟωﾟ)

--The above unsigned comment was made by GDsMDDLFNGR at 2006-06-01 00:16:39

I've just changed the text to say "Java Sparrow." The initial issue was that I (and aparently an anonymous editor) did not recognize that "Mannikin" was the name of a type of bird, thus this question and the eventual changing in the text to "mannequin" (a dummy used to show off clothes in a store). That doesn't make much sense given the reference to seeds, so I think a more obvious bird name is a good idea (especially if it gets us closer to the original meaning).

--BlckKnght 03:18, 1 August 2006 (PDT)

Paragraphs uno and dos reworded

As there might be some problem regarding the acceptance of the rewording, I only reworded the first two paragraphs. Now it doesn't sound so much like vomit from a translator program. If you think that the translation is now off as a consequence, then revert it back to the previous version and I won't do it again lol. Honestly, it just didn't seem to flow right.

Reworded and cleaned up the next three paragraphs. It still conveys the original idea so I hope there's no issues.

--Jayohz 23:11, 1 June 2006 (PDT)

Autumn is represented by the plum blossom revisited

I am trying to move a translators note from within the text to this page, but it seems to me that something is wrong with it. The original note I was copying from the text was:

The Japanese use various symbols to represent their seasons, like cherry blossoms for spring, goldfish for summer, etc.

And I intended to elaborate a little bit. However, upon looking at this Wikipedia entry it seems that plum blossoms represent Spring (or possibly Winter), not Autumn.

Would sombody check the origial book to make sure we have it correct? It could be that Haruhi is spouting nonsense here, but it also might be a mistake on our part.

--BlckKnght 03:18, 1 August 2006 (PDT)

I think it might just a minor mistranslation of that portion. I took a look at Strato's version to see how he translated it, and he interpreted it as:

"Real ghosts in a haunted house, stairs where the number of steps suddenly increase, the seven wonders of the school turn into thirteen wonders, the principal's hair tripling in size into an afro, the school building transforms and fights with some monster that comes out of the ocean, or plum becoming a seasonal word for fall. That kind of stuff"

(Note: Japanese poetry has groups of words linked to each season. Plum is linked to the season of spring.)

Strato's translation seems to make sense, as all of the examples that Haruhi lists involve changes, and that seems to be what she most craves.

--Nandeyanen 11:28, 1 August 2006 (PDT)