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Native Mandarin speaker here. All three separate allusions are a single attempt to translate the four-character Chinese idiom of 粉身碎骨, which is a figurative way
by flag23147 7y ago
Native Mandarin speaker here. All three separate allusions are a single attempt to translate the four-character Chinese idiom of 粉身碎骨, which is a figurative way of saying crushed to death. In this context, the meaning is the attempts to split China will be completely defeated and offenders subject to severe punishment.
- sgc 7y agoRight ... but either Xi is another Trump, or he intentionally chose that idiom knowing full well the undertones were tied to the end results of other very famous past protests. It is hard not to interpret that as a menace of brutality, regardless of whether actual crushing of bones is in the works.
- flag23147 7y agoYou're right in that there is an undertone of brutality, even as the Mandarin Chinese phrase is used figuratively. But keep in mind that the intended audience is Chinese people. This phrase is very commonly used when talking about Chinese army defending against Japanese invasion during WWII and crushing enemy to death. I feel it is intentional that the government would like its people to consider the protesters as enemies to the Chinese nation.
- PhasmaFelis 7y agoYou seem to be agreeing that the implication of violence is clear and intentional.
- fsociety 7y agoNot really, it's important to understand that directly translating like that loses its meaning. Chinese can tend to be very dramatic.. for example if you are waiting in line at the restaurant an employee may come out and tell you that you are suffering greatly. It sounds dramatic but he is just recognizing that you have been waiting awhile. Taking artistic license over a language you do not understand isn't right.