Login or register (free and only takes a few minutes) to participate in this question.
You will also have access to many other tools and opportunities designed for those who have language-related jobs (or are passionate about them). Participation is free and the site has a strict confidentiality policy.
Japanese to English translations [PRO] Art/Literary - Poetry & Literature / feudalistic naming system
Japanese term or phrase:名ごり
Full points will be given to someone who can explain the meaning of 「ごり」in addition to the term 「名ごり」itself. For example, does it originate from the verb 樵る or 伐る? Also, why do you feel that it does not appear in several major dictionaries?
I would like to thank everyone for their reply and especially Shinji (cinefil) for his excellent reference. This latter provided a good explanation with regard to the etymology of the term, and it largely eliminated my confusion about its application in the given context. This said, I like Marie's English translation best for the context provided and she was, in the end, the quickest to respond. This makes it very difficult for me to award points. So, I have decided the following: Had I been able to find the reference that Shinji provided, I would have been able to come up with Marie's response on my own.
In reply to Susan, hindsight is nearly always better than foresight, and language can take many twists and turns in its development. It was the missing syllable の that left me clueless. Furthermore, you must realize that Japanese have a long history of using names to enforce social order. For example, during the Japanese annexation of the Korean peninsula, many Koreans were forced to abandon their Korean names in favor of Japanese names. In fact, the city in which I now live 대전 once wrote its name 太田. Under Japanese rule it was changed to 大田. In effect, what under Korean rule was thought to be a field of growth, became an emasculated large field of stagnation. Also, you must be well aware that the Japanese imperial family bears no 名字.
Furthermore, both 樵 and 伐 can be pronounced こる, and 名 is a voiced consonant that could change the こ in ~こる to the ご in ~ごり. Without a dictionary I had no way of knowing what the term meant or even how it was pronounced, and I tried two and found nothing. In short, I find your non-pro evaluation unprofessional.
Many thanks to everyone who contributed positively to this entry. 3 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer
This word "名ごり" is nothing to do with "樵(木こり)”. May I ask where did you get that idea? You should realize this word is standalone, independent word, and not derived from, or anywhere near associated with wood cutting occupation.
This is a matter of basic understanding of Japanese, therefore I suggest this be non-PRO question.
Automatic update in 00:
Answers
4 mins confidence: peer agreement (net): +2
remnant
Explanation: As ”a remnant of feudal times”
...just a suggestion
seika Local time: 00:25 Specializes in field Native speaker of: Japanese
8 mins confidence: peer agreement (net): +1
aftereffect
Explanation: an idea
cinefil Japan Local time: 13:25 Native speaker of: Japanese PRO pts in category: 15
Grading comment
I would like to thank everyone for their reply and especially Shinji (cinefil) for his excellent reference. This latter provided a good explanation with regard to the etymology of the term, and it largely eliminated my confusion about its application in the given context. This said, I like Marie's English translation best for the context provided and she was, in the end, the quickest to respond. This makes it very difficult for me to award points. So, I have decided the following: Had I been able to find the reference that Shinji provided, I would have been able to come up with Marie's response on my own.
In reply to Susan, hindsight is nearly always better than foresight, and language can take many twists and turns in its development. It was the missing syllable の that left me clueless. Furthermore, you must realize that Japanese have a long history of using names to enforce social order. For example, during the Japanese annexation of the Korean peninsula, many Koreans were forced to abandon their Korean names in favor of Japanese names. In fact, the city in which I now live 대전 once wrote its name 太田. Under Japanese rule it was changed to 大田. In effect, what under Korean rule was thought to be a field of growth, became an emasculated large field of stagnation. Also, you must be well aware that the Japanese imperial family bears no 名字.
Furthermore, both 樵 and 伐 can be pronounced こる, and 名 is a voiced consonant that could change the こ in ~こる to the ご in ~ごり. Without a dictionary I had no way of knowing what the term meant or even how it was pronounced, and I tried two and found nothing. In short, I find your non-pro evaluation unprofessional.
Many thanks to everyone who contributed positively to this entry.