Ginkgo
Unnatural Recollections with ChatGPT #1
Starting from this issue, I will post ChatGPT’s responses to my queries side by side with its translation. The procedure of asking it to do an analysis before translating seems to make it more focused on the task and generate better results. Further queries or hints can also bring its attention to matters that it has neglected. Many of the following translations are more than 99% usable, i.e. nearly no correction or revision is needed.
DKC:
I want to start the translation of a new series called "Unnatural Recollections". Here is the first story. Please analyze its language and style before translating it into English.
ChatGPT:
The series "Unnatural Recollections" features a unique and distinctive style that blends elements of magical realism, introspective narrative, and subtle horror. Each story explores themes of identity, perception, and the supernatural, often juxtaposing the mundane with the extraordinary.
Key Elements of the Language and Style
Magical Realism:
The narratives seamlessly integrate fantastical elements into everyday settings. For instance, in "銀杏" (Ginkgo), the protagonist learns to hear trees, guided by a mentor who claims to have buried his eyes beneath a ginkgo tree to achieve this ability.
Introspective and Reflective Tone:
The stories often delve into the internal thoughts and emotions of the characters. The protagonist's journey in each tale is as much about self-discovery as it is about the external supernatural events.
Detailed Descriptions:
Rich, vivid descriptions are used to create an immersive atmosphere. This is evident in the portrayal of the trees and the eerie, silent valley in "銀杏," where even the absence of sound is palpable.
Symbolism and Allegory:
There is a strong use of symbolism, such as the ginkgo tree representing wisdom and sacrifice, and the act of burying one's eyes symbolizing a deeper level of perception and understanding.
Subtle Horror and Suspense:
The stories maintain a subtle, creeping sense of horror, not through overtly frightening scenes but through unsettling and mysterious events. For example, the description of the master's eyes being buried and the sound they make when they appear in the tree is both eerie and thought-provoking.
Character-driven Narratives:
Each story focuses on the personal experiences and growth of the characters. The master's teachings and the protagonist's struggle with fully committing to the art of hearing trees highlight personal conflict and development.
Translation Considerations
Maintaining the Tone and Mood:
The translation should preserve the introspective and slightly eerie tone of the original text. This involves carefully choosing words that convey the same sense of mystery and introspection.
Cultural Nuances:
Certain cultural references and symbolic meanings, such as the significance of the ginkgo tree in East Asian cultures, should be retained or appropriately explained to ensure the translated text resonates with the target audience.
Descriptive Language:
The rich, descriptive passages need to be translated in a way that maintains their vividness and impact. This may require more elaborate phrasing in English to capture the same level of detail and atmosphere.
Idiomatic Expressions:
Any idiomatic expressions or unique phrases in the original should be translated in a way that conveys the same meaning and nuance in English, even if this means deviating slightly from a literal translation.
By focusing on these aspects, the translation can effectively capture the essence of "Unnatural Recollections," ensuring that the stories retain their unique charm and depth in English.
DKC:
Well said! Now please translate it into English according to the above considerations.
ChatGPT:
Sure, here is the translation of "銀杏" (Ginkgo) into English, considering the discussed elements and style:
Ginkgo
Master was a tree listener. He said that to become a true tree listener, you must first give up your eyes. He told me that I was still young and perhaps not yet determined enough, so he didn't perform the initiation ceremony for me. He said that he himself buried his eyes under a tree only when he turned thirty-eight.
Master never made a mistake when listening to trees. He said camphor trees had gentle voices, stone chestnuts were silent, tung trees were crisp, acacia trees were garrulous, willows were mournful, and banyan trees were hoarse. He also said that there were three levels of skill in tree listening. The beginner's level relied on the sounds of insects and birds in the trees, as certain animals always lived in certain trees. But this method wasn't reliable enough. The intermediate level involved listening to the sound of the wind through the leaves, and being able to distinguish these sounds meant you had truly entered the realm of tree listeners. As for the highest level, Master said it wasn't time to tell me yet.
I followed Master for four years, and I had basically learned most of the relationships between trees and the insects and birds. I had also begun to understand the sounds made by large and small leaves in the wind. However, I often couldn't resist looking at the trees with my eyes after listening, to confirm my answers. This showed that I wasn't yet a true tree listener. This made me very anxious, and I even thought about giving up learning to listen to trees. Then we came to a valley, where for some reason, it was as silent as death—no wind, no birds or insects calling. Master suddenly stopped under a giant tree, tilted his head to listen, and then said to me, "Listen, this is a tree you haven't heard before. It's a ginkgo tree. My eyes were buried under a ginkgo tree back then." I looked up in astonishment and saw, among the high branches, Master's eyes hanging like ginkgo fruits—with hard stones, emitting a splitting sound that made my ears ache.
This translation maintains the introspective and slightly eerie tone, preserves the rich descriptions, and retains the cultural significance of the ginkgo tree, ensuring the essence and atmosphere of the original story are captured in English.
DKC:
Why do you think the eyes of the master should be buried under a ginkgo tree but not other kinds?
ChatGPT:
The choice of a ginkgo tree in "Ginkgo" for the burial of the master’s eyes is likely deeply symbolic and carefully considered. Here are some reasons why the ginkgo tree, in particular, holds significance in this context:
Symbolism of the Ginkgo Tree
Longevity and Endurance:
Ginkgo trees are known for their remarkable longevity and resilience. They can live for thousands of years and have survived major environmental changes, including the atomic bomb in Hiroshima. This resilience and longevity can symbolize the enduring wisdom and vision of the master, suggesting that his sight, now part of the tree, endures eternally.
Connection to Ancient Wisdom:
The ginkgo tree is often considered a living fossil, with a lineage dating back over 200 million years. This connection to ancient times can symbolize the deep, ancient wisdom that the master possesses and imparts to his disciple.
Healing and Protection:
Ginkgo trees have been used in traditional medicine for their healing properties. The leaves are often associated with mental clarity and protection against cognitive decline. Burying the master’s eyes under a ginkgo tree could symbolize the preservation and continuation of his clarity of vision and wisdom, providing ongoing protection and guidance.
Sacred and Mystical Qualities:
In many cultures, the ginkgo tree is revered and often planted near temples and sacred places. This sacred association adds a mystical quality to the story, suggesting that the master’s act of burying his eyes under the ginkgo tree is not just a practical decision but a deeply spiritual and mystical ritual.
Visual and Symbolic Resonance:
The distinctive, fan-shaped leaves of the ginkgo tree are visually striking and easily recognizable. They can be seen as symbols of enlightenment and clarity. The imagery of the master’s eyes becoming part of the ginkgo tree enhances the mystical and symbolic resonance of the story.
Integration in the Story
The choice of the ginkgo tree for the burial of the master’s eyes enriches the narrative with layers of meaning:
Legacy of Vision:
The master’s eyes, buried under the ginkgo tree, suggest that his vision and wisdom become part of the natural world, enduring and growing with the tree. This act signifies the passing on of his legacy in a timeless and enduring manner.
Connection to Nature:
The act of integrating the master’s vision with a tree that is a symbol of nature’s resilience and endurance underscores the theme of harmony between human wisdom and the natural world.
Symbol of Hope and Continuity:
The ginkgo tree, with its ability to withstand time and adversity, stands as a symbol of hope and continuity for the disciple. It suggests that the wisdom imparted by the master will continue to guide and protect, even after his physical departure.
Conclusion
The use of the ginkgo tree in "Ginkgo" is a deliberate and meaningful choice that adds depth and richness to the story. Its symbolic qualities of longevity, ancient wisdom, healing, sacredness, and visual resonance enhance the narrative, making the master’s act of burying his eyes under the ginkgo tree a powerful and enduring symbol of wisdom and continuity.
〈銀杏〉
師父是個聽樹的人。他說，要做一個真正的聽樹人，就得先放棄你的眼睛。他說我年紀尚小，也許還未下定決心，所以並沒有為我進行那入門儀式。他說，他也要到了三十八歲，才把眼睛埋葬在一棵樹下面。
師父聽樹從來都沒有錯。他說，樟樹有溫柔的聲音，石栗沉默，油桐清脆，合歡絮絮叨叨，楊柳哀怨，榕樹沙啞。他又說，聽樹的功夫有三個層次。最初級的是靠樹上的蟲鳥叫聲，因為某些動物總是住在某些樹上的。但這方法不夠可靠。中級的是靠聽風吹過樹葉的聲音，懂得分辨，才是真正進入聽樹人的境界。至於最高的層次，師父說還未是時候告訴我。
我跟著師父四年，基本上已經學懂了大部分樹和蟲鳥的關係，也開始聽懂一些大葉和小葉樹的風聲。但我常常還是忍不住在聽了之後用眼睛去看那些樹，想去確定自己的答案。這說明了我作為一個聽樹人還未到家。我為此十分焦躁，甚至想著放棄聽樹的學習了。然後我們來到一個山谷，四周不知為什麼寂靜如死地，無風，也無鳥蟲鳴叫。師父突然停在一棵巨大的樹下，側耳傾聽，然後向我說：你聽，這是一棵你還沒有聽過的樹，是一棵銀杏，當年我的眼睛就是埋在一棵銀杏樹下。我驚訝地向上望，看見高處的樹葉間，彷彿掛滿了銀杏果一樣的師父的眼睛，堅硬的，發出令我的耳朵疼痛的剝裂聲。