Kanji (i think) Translation ?

[B-Man]

Hi Guys,

Can anyone please tell me what this means ?

And which is the most correct (horizonal or vertical)

Thanks heaps

[DaiOni]

shinkiitten (shin - key - eet - ten, is a rough pronounciation guide)

means: to change one's mind/turn over a new leaf

didn't know the second kanji, so that had me stumped

[DaiOni]

oh, and traditionally, it would be written downwards - but either way is fine

[Rezz]

"Change of Attitude" is another slight variation... thanks to my wifey for that one.

[red17]

Can i ask why there seems to be multiple interpretations of the same characters in the japanese language, is it a cultural thing, whereby different inflections and nuances produce different meanings?

Id always figured that was a feature of the cantonese and mandarin languages, whilst japanese was very logical and less inprecise.

It just seems every time i see something in japanese interpreted people come out with 4 variations of meaning.

Red17

[Rezz]

Can i ask why there seems to be multiple interpretations of the same characters in the japanese language, is it a cultural thing, whereby different inflections and nuances produce different meanings?

Id always figured that was a feature of the cantonese and mandarin languages, whilst japanese was very logical and less inprecise.

It just seems every time i see something in japanese interpreted people come out with 4 variations of meaning.

Red17

Well, the word "Kanji" itself means "Chinese Charater", so although there are original Japanese charaters, the majority are taken straight from various mainland Chinese languages.

Therein lies the whole "4 interpretations" thing... Kanji aren't words as such, but more "ideas" that have evolved from pictures (a couple of 1000 years back) to the sometimes simple, sometimes complex charaters we have today. So often there aren't any matching words in English, so the translator has to pick the closest possible meaning, and run with that.

Take for example "Itadakimasu", (said before eating with both hands together, like you're praying) theres no direct translation in English, so it's just an "expression of gratitude before meals". But another person can come along and say it means "Thanks for this meal" in English... so it all depends on how exacting the translator wants to be.

[B-Man]

Thanks guys, very helpful !

[DaiOni]

Another 2c about differing meanings - think about english proverbs - there are often many ways of interpreting most of them. A lot of the time - context - is the most important factor (when and why it is being said)

[Pva_Glue]

same goes in Korea, we use chinese characters to verify lots of other meaning on one words...etc..etc.

its damm hard to learn.

[Rezz]

same goes in Korea, we use chinese characters to verify lots of other meaning on one words...etc..etc.

 

its damm hard to learn.

You're Korean PVA but you spell Korea with a "K" not a "C"? Didn't you know that during WW2 the Japanese government changed the spelling of Corea to Korea so Japan would appear first in aphabetical order? Sounds silly but it's true.

Apparently, the Corean government is trying to change back the spelling, but it's a pretty hard task as you can imagine.