龙年的英文怎么说？Dragon 还是 Loong？

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We will soon enter the Year of the Dragon. Or should that be the Year of the Loong? That is a question that has been a subject for debate in China, as some say there is a difference between the two in Chinese and Western mythology.

Mythical creatures described in Shan Hai Jing (Classic of Mountains and Seas), an ancient work of Chinese literature, are recreated at the Yuyuan Garden Lantern Show in Paris.

They point to dragons in the West being usually depicted as malevolent, fire-breathing creatures that hoard treasure and terrorize villages. Dragons they say are typically seen as symbols of chaos and evil, portrayed as antagonists in Western mythology and literature, and often depicted as malevolent adversaries to be vanquished by valiant heroes. These depictions hark back to the archetypal myths of the ancient Mesopotamian and Near Eastern cultures, in which dragon-like creatures, such as Tiamat in Mesopotamian mythology are forces of chaos and destruction that are confronted and ultimately defeated in a great battle.

Such symbolic resonance can be seen in the enduring appeal of dragons in Western popular culture today where they are staples of fantasy literature, films, video games, and TV shows, often embodying a mix of awe-inspiring and fearsome qualities that put them at the heart of struggles between good and evil.

In Chinese culture, loong are revered as symbols of power, excellence, and good luck, and they are often depicted as wise and kind creatures.

The loong has been a central motif in Chinese culture for thousands of years, and its origins can be traced back to early Chinese civilization through mythology, folklore and religious beliefs.

Since loong were believed to have control over natural phenomena such as rain, storms and water, and were associated with the life-giving properties of water and the fertility of the land, loong became symbols of strength and good fortune, and they became associated with balance, harmony and the natural order of the universe.

Representing auspiciousness, vitality and the power of nature, loong remain a revered and beloved symbol in Chinese society, reflecting the enduring significance of historical traditions in modern China.

The differences in perception of the mythical creatures in China and the West are rooted in their different cultural values.

Thus the answer to the question at the beginning is clear: Whether or not to use loong instead of dragon is not important. What is important is that as we enter a new lunar year people globally appreciate the cultural values embodied in such Chinese symbols as loong.

2024年转眼已过一月，进入二月份，农历甲辰龙年新春的气氛越来越浓，关于“龙”的各种话题也越来越热。你知道吗？在翻译界，关于“龙”究竟应该翻译成哪个英文单词，已经争论了数十年——究竟是“Dragon”还是“Loong”？近年来在我们日常生活的很多场合里，也已经可以看到，这个本来属于学术圈的话题早已破圈，正在社会大众的实际文字应用中慢慢形成新的选择和标准……

在西方文化中，龙通常被描绘成一种邪恶的、喷火的物种，它们囤积财宝，还会给邻近的地区带来恐慌。在西方神话和文学中，龙通常制造混乱和邪恶，在传说故事中，它是英雄的敌人，也是英雄的“证明”。这种叙事，可以追溯到古代美索不达米亚和近东神话。

在当代西方文化中，恶龙继续在奇幻小说、电影、视频游戏和电视剧中扮演重要的角色。它们通常既威严又可怕，常常是“善恶”之争的核心。

但是，在中国文化中，龙被尊崇为力量、超然和繁盛的象征，充满了智慧和仁爱。几千年来，中国龙在文化中占据着重要地位，它根植于中国早期文明、神话、民间传说。由于人们相信龙掌管着自然，并与“水”的滋养和“土”的肥沃联系在一起。它体现了宇宙的平衡、和谐的秩序。

秦汉时代的龙纹

在中国社会中，龙作为吉祥、活力和自然力量的象征，依然受到崇敬和喜爱，这反映了历史传统在现代中国的延续性。

中西方对这些神话生物的认知差异，根植于它们不同的文化价值观。对此敏感的人群往往做出了最快的反应。早在清朝末年，在美国的华人就将中国龙翻译为“loong”，以便和西方的“dragon”区分开来，表达了华裔的尊严，告诉外国人，中国人并非邪恶的种族。

而今，越来越多的中国企业选用Loong来作为公司或产品的英译名，在华为的新春广告片中，也出现了“Chinese Loong”的翻译，译龙为“loong”正在被越来越多人接受。

中国环球电视网 CGTN 把“龙舞”译为 Loong Dance

用“loong”这个词来代表中国龙，它不仅具有相似的发音，而且这个词的形态也容易让人联想到与中国龙的形象。期待，当中华文化越来越“强势”，不必多加一个“o”，直接用“LONG"来代表中国龙，也会成为现实。

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Source：China Daily, Chinese Horn

Edited by Yue Shunshun