The art of translation from logic to magic

The phenomenal success of Ne Zha 2 has not only cemented its place as a box office juggernaut but also reignited an age-old debate: How do we translate the richness of Chinese culture into English without losing its essence? The recent uproar over the alleged translation of ji ji ru lyu ling as "quickly quickly biu biu biu" in Ne Zha 2's overseas versions — though later found untrue — has sparked a discussion on the complexities of cross-cultural communication.

The phrase ji ji ru lyu ling, a Taoist incantation often used in Chinese folklore and mythology, carries a sense of urgency that is deeply rooted in Chinese culture. When Ne Zha 1 was released globally in 2019, the phrase was translated as "be quick to obey my command". While this translation conveys the basic meaning, it fails to capture the phrase's rhythmic cadence and mystical undertone. An alternative translation could be "Chop-chop! Do as I command!" which, while more dynamic, may not convey the original's cultural depth.

This dilemma is not unique to the Ne Zha films. The internet is rife with examples of "Chinglish" — humorous, often nonsensical literal translations of Chinese phrases into English. "People mountain people sea" for ren shan ren hai; "good good study, day day up" for hao hao xue xi, tian tian xiang shang; and "give you some color to see see" for gei ni dian yan se qiao qiao, which means "Let me teach you a lesson", have become internet memes, amusing for their absurdity but ultimately failing to bridge the cultural divide. These examples, while entertaining, highlight the pitfalls of literal translation when done without understanding the nuances.