| Should Chinese Dragon Change the English Name? | |
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| May 20, 2007 22:21 |   |
 | Many knows that Chinese dragon is actually the different thing compared with Western dragon. Dragon is a deified animal worshipped by Chinese from ancient time. Most people believe that Chinese dragon is a combination of many animals. The horn of dragon liked deer's horn, the head liked camel's one, the eyes liked rabbit's one, the neck liked snake's one, the belly liked clam's one, the squama liked carp's one, the talon liked eagle's one, the palm liked tiger's one and the ear liked cattle's one. Chinese dragon is considered as the king of water, mastering wind, cloud, rain and thunder.  |
| May 20, 2007 22:29 | #1 |
| Western dragon is much more like a big lizard with two wings. Most of the western dragons are the guards of treasures and like to rob beauties or princess. Knights and heroes will kill the dragons or become dragon riders. |
| May 20, 2007 22:33 | #2 |
| As two different species, should they have same name, Dragon?? Some Chinese people support the idea that the English name of Chinese dragon should be changed to Long or Loong, the transliteration of Chinese character. What do you think?? |
| May 21, 2007 02:56 | #3 |
| it might not be a 'species' problem.... dragons are mythological creatures (unless they were based by ancient people, east or west, on dinosaurs...) Quite true that eastern and european imaginations on dragon are quite unlike and carry different symbolism. |
| May 22, 2007 03:21 | #4 |
| I think it's good if we can change the name. But it's too hard to ask every English speaking people change their own vocabulary. Anyway, worth a try. Just like the Chinese name of Seoul, South Korea, changed from 汉城 to 首尔. We also can change Dragon to Loong or Long. |
| May 22, 2007 20:00 | #5 |
| Seems that we have talked about this before, but I can't find the thread. |
| May 26, 2007 21:37 | #6 |
| Yes, I think the name of Chinese dragon can be changed if they refer to another thing instead of 'Dragon'. We can accept it. |
| May 26, 2007 23:02 | #7 |
| I don't think that Long of China should be translated into the Dragon in English. As they differ in their appearance and their roles playing in people's life. The masters of translation should make their effort to creat a new English word for Long. Like Kong Zi, the great ideologist, we have a new word Confucius. |
| Nov 26, 2007 16:05 | #8 |
| GUEST16253 | It just doesnt seem right to call any dragon a 'long'; it sounds funny in english. Sure it is what it is translated, but I don't think it sounds right. I may just be too accustomed to Chinese dragon though, seeing as they are both, indeed mythological beings, and therefor do not have to have the same idea in myths or appearance. The way english is, as it is, has many words from all languages packed into it. It is the mutt of languages. |
| Jan 11, 2008 18:41 | #9 |
| GUEST80144 | I'm a native english speaker and I think that is a good idea. I would call Chinese dragons Loong. I think that the spelling with two o's would be better to separate it from the english adjective long, but that is just my opinion. |
| Apr 1, 2008 17:17 | #10 |
| GUEST15049 | Ni hao everybody, I understand that there are some differences between the Chines Dragon and "Western" Dragon, and also I never imagined the Chinese Dragon to be parts of several animals and never heard anybody else think like that. I always think a Chinese Dragon is a kind of fairytale figure as well as the Western Dragon. Anyhow if I mean to talk about a Dragon of Chinese herritage I would always say simply "Chinese Dragon" and everybody would understand which kind of Dragon I'm speaking about. How about the Chinese people, what is your name for "Western Dragon" in your language? Do you call a Western Dragon for xxx Long? Or have you already invented a totaly new word for the Western Dragon? If not then why should we call the Chinese Dragon something else in English? Regards from "Fen Lan" ^^ |
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