Any suggestions?

noodles · 03-15-2004, 03:42 AM

i was asked to translate a brand name (mosquito coil) into english.
Its Chinese name in pinyin or wade-giles goes something like "Lee Shar"(force/power+kill/destroy). And i now have 2 alternatives: LeeShark and Lethal. Which one of these, to an english ear, sounds more appropriate and effective for mosquito-repellents? Or u have other suggestions? Thx.

staceyv · 03-15-2004, 05:49 AM

you could just use "lee shar" because a brand name doesn't necessarily need to have meaning. out of lethal and lee shark, i'd go with the shark.

noodles · 03-15-2004, 07:06 AM

Thank u Staceyv. I'll try LeeShark coz in China brand names, unlike yr Procter & Gamble or Chrysler, normally connotes what they are used for or their functions. But what i'm afraid about LeeShark is that SHARK may well imply fraud in english.

godwulf · 03-15-2004, 08:22 AM

Quote:

But what i'm afraid about LeeShark is that SHARK may well imply fraud in english.

Only if the "shark" in question is a lawyer.

Happy Monkey · 03-15-2004, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by godwulf
Only if the "shark" in question is a lawyer.

Or a bank or pawn shop.

lumberjim · 03-15-2004, 10:02 AM

or a car salesman

how about "fLEE bite" ? flee the bite........ too corny?

godwulf · 03-15-2004, 11:13 AM

Seriously, does the word 'Shark' have to be in the name? I say that because (for some reason that largely escapes my understanding) many people in this country are very fond of sharks (in a theoretical, NOT 'in the water surrounded by them' sort of way) and are also just dim enough to suppose, without investigating the matter at all, that a product with 'shark' in the name is somehow made from actual sharks...in the way that probably a majority of on-the-street interviewees would proably tell you that 'mink oil' is squeezed from minks. (It isn't is it? I'm suddenly not sure.)

Clodfobble · 03-15-2004, 11:19 AM

I would go with something more meaning-translated, with Lee or Shar staying on more as a brand name, like LeeForce or something. Shark would confuse me, personally, unless it were specifically called a "mosquito shark" or something.

lumberjim · 03-15-2004, 11:20 AM

i thought he wanted the word "LEE" in it

xoxoxoBruce · 03-15-2004, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by noodles
Thank u Staceyv. I'll try LeeShark coz in China brand names, unlike yr Procter & Gamble or Chrysler, normally connotes what they are used for or their functions. But what i'm afraid about LeeShark is that SHARK may well imply fraud in english.

Shark confuses the purpose. What's wrong with Lee Shar? If you want something that has meaning in English, why are you sticking with Lee, that sounds French.
Remember all American product names are fraud.

wolf · 03-16-2004, 10:54 AM

"Lethal" really says what you want to have said about a mosquito coil ... of course the fine print would have to say "for mosquitos, safe for humans."

Elspode · 03-16-2004, 03:00 PM

If you were translating into Japanese instead of Chinese, you could just use Engrish.

"Mosquito not to living happy spring of good dying" would probably get the idea across...oh, and a picture of a teddy bear.

farfromhome · 03-21-2004, 10:31 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by godwulf
..in the way that probably a majority of on-the-street interviewees would proably tell you that 'mink oil' is squeezed from minks. (It isn't is it? I'm suddenly not sure.)

Well ,you see....You grab the cute little baby mink and you start giving it the 'Ol Philadelphia squeeze.When you see its soft little baby mink eyes panic and start to protude then...er, never mind.

Long live Tre Arrow

03-15-2004, 03:42 AM	#1
noodles Wet Nurse's Aide Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 40	Any suggestions? i was asked to translate a brand name (mosquito coil) into english. Its Chinese name in pinyin or wade-giles goes something like "Lee Shar"(force/power+kill/destroy). And i now have 2 alternatives: LeeShark and Lethal. Which one of these, to an english ear, sounds more appropriate and effective for mosquito-repellents? Or u have other suggestions? Thx.

03-15-2004, 10:02 AM	#6
lumberjim I can hear my ears Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 25,571	or a car salesman how about "fLEE bite" ? flee the bite........ too corny? __________________ This body holding me reminds me of my own mortality Embrace this moment, remember We are eternal, all this pain is an illusion ~MJKeenan

03-15-2004, 11:20 AM	#9
lumberjim I can hear my ears Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 25,571	i thought he wanted the word "LEE" in it __________________ This body holding me reminds me of my own mortality Embrace this moment, remember We are eternal, all this pain is an illusion ~MJKeenan

03-16-2004, 10:54 AM	#11
wolf lobber of scimitars Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Phila Burbs Posts: 20,774	"Lethal" really says what you want to have said about a mosquito coil ... of course the fine print would have to say "for mosquitos, safe for humans." __________________ wolf eht htiw og "Conspiracies are the norm, not the exception." --G. Edward Griffin The Creature from Jekyll Island High Priestess of the Church of the Whale Penis

03-16-2004, 03:00 PM	#12
Elspode When Do I Get Virtual Unreality? Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Raytown, Missouri Posts: 12,719	If you were translating into Japanese instead of Chinese, you could just use Engrish. "Mosquito not to living happy spring of good dying" would probably get the idea across...oh, and a picture of a teddy bear. __________________ "To those of you who are wearing ties, I think my dad would appreciate it if you took them off." - Robert Moog

03-15-2004, 05:49 AM	#2
staceyv Lecturer Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Ohio Posts: 927	you could just use "lee shar" because a brand name doesn't necessarily need to have meaning. out of lethal and lee shark, i'd go with the shark.

03-15-2004, 07:06 AM	#3
noodles Wet Nurse's Aide Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 40	Thank u Staceyv. I'll try LeeShark coz in China brand names, unlike yr Procter & Gamble or Chrysler, normally connotes what they are used for or their functions. But what i'm afraid about LeeShark is that SHARK may well imply fraud in english.

03-15-2004, 11:13 AM	#7
godwulf Coronation Incarnate Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 96	Seriously, does the word 'Shark' have to be in the name? I say that because (for some reason that largely escapes my understanding) many people in this country are very fond of sharks (in a theoretical, NOT 'in the water surrounded by them' sort of way) and are also just dim enough to suppose, without investigating the matter at all, that a product with 'shark' in the name is somehow made from actual sharks...in the way that probably a majority of on-the-street interviewees would proably tell you that 'mink oil' is squeezed from minks. (It isn't is it? I'm suddenly not sure.)

03-15-2004, 11:19 AM	#8
Clodfobble UNDER CONDITIONAL MITIGATION Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 20,012	I would go with something more meaning-translated, with Lee or Shar staying on more as a brand name, like LeeForce or something. Shark would confuse me, personally, unless it were specifically called a "mosquito shark" or something.

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