Exclusive interview: Alari Manchu language studio
Author: Lin,
published 2 months ago,
[img]https://clan.cloudflare.steamstatic.com/images//45056787/4d37953a7a11de7e8fcd046cb8255a36b7e9561b.png[/img]
[h1]1.Q: Why is the studio named "Alari"? Is there any story behind it?[/h1]
A: "Alari" refers to a type of flower called the 山丹花 (Shandan flower), pronounced as "萨日朗" (Sari Lang) in Mongolian. Our members really like this small red flower, which is bright and cheerful, and appears in the grasslands, bringing a sense of surprise. So we decided to use it as the name of our studio.
1. Weilere falga i gebu be 'Alari' sehenggge ai turgun ni? Aika kooli juben bio?
Jabuhangge: Alari uthai ‘山丹花(Lilium pumilum) ’ inu. Monggo gisun de ‘sarlang’ sembi. Ere ajige fulgiyan ilha, ongko tala de taksiha be niyalma sabuci, dolori genggiyen bime kalcunggi ojoro jakade, be weilere falga be erei gebu be dahame gebulehebi.
[h1]2.Q: Can you eat 山丹丹花 (Shandan flower)? Hahaha.[/h1]
A: Yes, you can eat it! Regular consumption is said to improve hearing and eyesight, and prolong life (laughs).
2. Alari ilha be jeci ombio? Ka ka ka.
Jabuhangge: Jeci ombi. Jeme goidaci yasa dacun šan galbi, beye guigu jalafungga ombi(Injehe).
[h1]3.Q: What does the suffix "Möllendorff" mean?[/h1]
A: Möllendorff refers to the 19th-century German scholar, Paul Georg von Möllendorff, who laid the foundation for the current standard of Möllendorff transcription for Manchu. He corresponded Manchu letters with Latin letters, creating a way to transcribe Manchu using the Latin alphabet. Although traditional Manchu can also be input in modern word processing software, the transcription method is more suitable for videos, games, etc., as it uses Latin letters.
3. "Möllendorff" serengge ai gūnin ni?
Jabuhangge: Möllendorff serengge, juwan uyuci jalarin i Deici gurun i baksi Mioweilendofo inu. I Manju hergen be, Latino hergen de emke emken i teisulebume kūbulibure hergen arara jakade, Mioweilendofo kūbulibure hergen be banjibuha. Ulandungga Manju hergen be, te i hergen be icihiyara uhuktun de baitalaci ombi secibe, tuwagan talfin i jergingge de kūbulibure hergen ele acanambi kai.
[h1]4.Q: Isn't Manchu written vertically, like a knife descending from the sky?[/h1]
A: Yes, traditional Manchu script is written vertically, from top to bottom, and from left to right. It was created in the early Qing Dynasty based on traditional Mongolian script, making it one of the few scripts in the world that can only be written vertically.
4. Manju hergen, undu ararangge wakao? Abka ci huwesi agara gese hergen biheo?
Jabuhangge: Inu. Ulandungga Manju hergen be, dergici fejergide isibume, hashv ergici ici ergide isibume arambi. Daicing gurun i fukjin fonde Monggo hergen be alhūdara jakade, Manju hergen, jalan jecen de undu araci ojoro komsolinggū hergen ohobi.
[h1]5.Q: How is Manchu perceived in the global academic community?[/h1]
A: It is mostly regarded as a tool language for historical research, considering the vast amount of Manchu documents left from the Qing Dynasty.
5. Te i gubci jalan i tacin i hoki, Manju gisun be adarame tuwambi ni?
Jabuhangge: Daicing gurun i fon ci tutaha Manju gisun i mejigetu ton akū ofi, Manju gisun be suduri be sibkire gisun obufi tuwarangge labdu bai.
[h1]6.Q: What are the applications of Manchu in academia?[/h1]
A: In academia, besides the obvious Qing Dynasty archive research, Manchu is very important in linguistics, especially in the study of the Manchu-Tungusic language family, as it is one of the rare languages in this family that has a written script.
6. Manju gisun be tacin de adarame baitalambi ni?
Jabuhangge: Daicing gurun i fon i dangse be sibkire ci tulgiyen, gisucin de, ele oci Manju Tunggus gisun i aiman be sibkire de, Manju gisun be, ere aiman i dorgide hergen bisire tongga ningge seme umesi oyonggo obuhabi.
[h1]7.Q: What could be the future development of Manchu studies?[/h1]
A: This is a huge topic. I think it would be difficult for us to answer this on our own (laughs).
7. Manju gisun be sirame sibkire de ai ojoshūn bi ni?
Jabuhangge: Ere jon jaci amba ofi, be jabure de mangga~~~ Kakaka.
[h1]8.Q: Which schools should someone consider if they want to pursue Manchu studies?[/h1]
A: Nowadays, many universities offer Manchu programs. As far as I know, universities like Heilongjiang University, Northeast Normal University, Liaoning University, Minzu University of China, and others have such programs.
8. Aika Manju gisun be sibkiki sere gucuse bici, ya tacikū de geneci acambi ni?
Jabuhangge: Te i Manju gisun i silhicin bisire yongkiyangga tacikū labdu oho. Mini sahangge, Sahaliyan Ula Yongkiyangga Tacikū, Dergi Amargi Tacibusi doro i Yongkiyangga Tacikū, Liyooning Yongkiyangga Tacikū, Niyambai Irgeten i Yongkiyangga Tacikū de gemu bi.
[h1]9.Q: More broadly, what should young people do to prepare if they want to pursue ancient or modern language studies?[/h1]
A: This is also a big question... but from my experience, being able to endure the solitude of a small community is a necessary psychological trait.
9.Badarambume gisureci, julgei eici carga i gisun be sibkire de dosiki seci, asihata aibe belheci acambi ni?
Jabuhangge: Ere fonjin inu amba kai... Damu mini dulembuhengge be dahame, emu ajige hoki i gonggohon babe alime mutere be ambula baibumbi.
[h1]10.Q: Is Manchu related to Mongolian, Korean, or perhaps more northern languages like Ainu? From the map, these places seem very close to each other.[/h1]
A: There was once a hypothesis called the "Altaic language family" that included Manchu, Mongolian, Korean, and others. However, based on current research, this hypothesis is largely no longer supported. These languages, due to geographical proximity, may have some borrowed words from each other, but overall, they don't have much of a genetic relationship. By the way, while Manchu script looks a lot like Mongolian script, Manchu and Mongolian languages are completely unintelligible to each other—much like the relationship between Chinese characters and Japanese kanji, or Chinese and Japanese languages.
10.Manju gisun serengge, aimaka Monggo gisun, Solho gisun jai Kuye gisun de niyaman darihabio? Narugan be tuwaci, ere jergi gisun ci sandalabuhangge goro akū kai.
Jabuhangge: Dade Manju gisun, Monggo gisun, Solho gisun i jergiingge gemu Altai gisun i aiman de ombihe, damu te i sibkihangge be dahame, ere tuwakūn be alime gaihangge labdu akū oho. Ere jergi gisun, ishunde goro akū ofi udu ishunde gaiha gargata gisun bi secibe, hūncihingga ba umesi komso. Jai Manju hergen, Monggo hergen de adališacibe, Manju gisun, Monggo gisun ishunde oron hafunarakū. Nikan hergen,Nihon hergen de adali, Nikan gisun, Nihon gisun de adali akū sere holbobun de dursuki.
[h1]11.Q: What is the current state of Manchu?[/h1]
A: According to UNESCO's definition, it's "critically endangered"—but it's not as dire as it sounds.
11. Ne Manju gisun i arbun adarame bihe ni?
Jabuhangge: ‘UNESCO’, Manju gisun be 'umesi simacuka' secibe, yargiyan de asuru simacuka ba akū.
[h1]12.Q: Are there still natural Manchu speakers in the world?[/h1]
A: Yes. In Fuyu County, Qiqihar, Heilongjiang, there are still a dozen or so elderly people who use it as their mother tongue. The "critically endangered" status by UNESCO is due to these few native speakers; but when I say "not as dangerous," I mean that there are still hundreds of people who use Manchu as a second language and can handle daily conversations.
12. Gubci jalan de Manju gisun be banjitai gisun seme baitalarangge bio?
Jabuhangge: Sahaliyan Ula goloi Cicigar hoton i hūyur gūsa de, juwan udu sakdasa Manju gisun be banjitai gisun gisurembi. Nenehe fonjin de, ‘UNESCO’Manju gisun be 'umesi simacuka' sehengge, uthai ere haran. Damu mini gisurehengge 'yargiyan de asuru simacuka ba akū' sehengge, Manju gisun be tacifi gisureme inenggidari banjin de baitalara niyalma kemuni udu tanggū bihe turgun.
[h1]13.Q: Can you introduce your studio?[/h1]
A: Compared to other Manchu language enthusiasts who focus on Manchu teaching and heritage, our Alari Manchu Studio is dedicated to applying Manchu language and script in various aspects of modern life, especially in the entertainment field. We've previously produced some Manchu entertainment videos, like a Manchu version of 《康熙怒斥群臣》 (Kangxi's Furious Reprimand of His Ministers), which was also a way to ride the wave of popularity.
13. Suweni weilere falga be takabume gisurereo?
Jabuhangge: Gūwa Manju gisun i amurasi, gemu Manju gisun be tacibure sirabure kūwaragan de isaha de duibuleci, meni 'Alari Manju Gisun i Weilere Falga', Manju gisun hergen be te i banjin i babade baitalara de isibuki sembi. Ele oci sebjelecun de, be Manju gisun i sere sebjelere tuwagan be araha bihe, isakū be jabšaha dabala~~
[h1]14.Q: What are your studio's future plans?[/h1]
A: We hope to make further progress in the restoration and organization of Qing Dynasty Manchu classics and in video games and entertainment videos. Holding the past in one hand and the present in the other—this is also the meaning behind our studio's website name "朝花夕拾".
14. Suweni weilere falga de amaga i bodogon bio?
Jabuhangge: Meni ererengge, Daicing gurun i fon i julgei bithe be dasatara, jai te i talfin tuwagan de gemu šanggan bahaki sembi. Julgei baita jai te i jaka be sasari jafarangge, cohome meni asui tatan i gebu 'Ursan' sere hergen i gūnin inu.
[h1]15.Q: Do you like Avian Enigma ?[/h1]
A: I really like it! (laughs). I was first exposed to the visual novel genre during university, but at that time, it was predominantly Japanese-style. I think the plot, art, and music of 《Avian Enigma》 have a strong cyberpunk style, which I really like.
15. Si be cihalambio?
Jabuhangge: Jaci cihalambi(Injehe)! Yonggkiyangga tacikū i fonde, bi sabubungga juben de sucungga mudan i nikenehe bicibe, damu tere fonde ere hacin i talfin gemu Nihon i durun. i jucubun, saikami jai kumun gemu Saiber Pangka i sukdun bisire turgunde, bi jaci cihalambi.
[h1]16.Q: What do you think of the ending of Avian Enigma ?[/h1]
A: It's a bit... how should I put it, when I first finished it, I felt it was a bit like the movie "Triangle" (laughs). Maybe my interpretation is a bit dark, but that's not necessarily a bad thing—it also leaves room for the player's imagination.
16.Si i wajima be adarame tuwambi ni?
Jabuhangge: Eke... Bi sucungga mudan i furdan hafulaha de, ere wajima be ‘Triangle’ de adalikan sembi(Injehe). Eici mini ulhihengge majige miosihon, damu talfin deri efisi cihai gūninjara babi.
[h1]17.Q: What do you think of the male and female protagonists in Avian Enigma ?[/h1]
A: I feel the male protagonist is quite similar to me (laughs). He has an inner sense of "restlessness" and wants to break away from the status quo. What’s rare is that he is also very brave, after all, it takes a lot of courage to face the Lao Wang (laughs). As for the female protagonist, she gives me the impression of being "stiff" and "mysterious."
17. i haha hehe jingkini jucusi be, si adarame tuwambi ni?
Jabuhangge: Mini gūnin de haha jingkini jucusi, minde adališambi(Injehe). Ini mujilen i dolo 'ekisaka akū' ba bifi, an ci aljaki sembi. Sebken ningge oci, i jaci baturu, jiduji Sakda Wang de bakcilaci an i niyalma niyancan bijara mangga kai (Injehe). Hehe jingkini jucusi oci, be imbe 'fili mangga' bime 'somishūn' seme serehe.
[h1]18.Q: Was it tiring to translate Avian Enigma , especially using a language that's no longer very active, and in a different script?[/h1]
A: It wasn’t tiring, first of all, the original text is very smooth and natural. However, translating it into Manchu was indeed a challenge. Reading and translating documents is one thing, but translating a lively story is something that hasn't been done before, so there's no rich experience to draw from. In the process, we had to create new words to express modern concepts that didn’t exist in Qing Dynasty Manchu, and constantly balance between accurate translation and avoiding "translationese". Here, I must thank our proofreader Sulfa—his workload as a proofreader was even larger than mine as a translator (laughs), and he also referenced bird traces from Manchu calligraphy to combine the characteristics of traditional Manchu script with the form of birds to create the Manchu title of the game, which fits the style of the game very well.
18. be ubaliyambure de šadahao? Ele oci emu asuru baitalarakū gisun be baitalambi, ele oci encu hacin i hergen i kūbulibume arambi.
Jabuhangge: Šadaha seci šadarakū. Ujude, bi da jucubun i cilcin akū be saišaki. Damu Manju gisun i ubaliyamburengge afacun mujangga. Dangse be hūlara ubaliyamburengge labdu bicibe, emu simengge juben be ubaliyamburengge, julgei niyalma yabuhakū bihe turgunde, mende elgiyen dulebun werihekū. Ubaliyambure de, Be tege i ice baita jaka de teisulehe ice gargata gisun be fukjilembi sere anggala, tomortai ubaliyambure eici 'ubaliyambure urgen' de cibtui amcame jafambi. Bi weilere falga i kimcisi Sulfa de banihalaki. Sulfa kimcisi bihe secibe, ini arahangge, mini arahangge ci ele labdu(Injehe). Geli i gashai songkonggo fukjingga hergen be tuwame talfin i Manju hergen i joringga niruha, talfin i muruki de umesi acanaha.
[h1]19.Q: Is there any Manchu idiom or saying you'd like to share with everyone?[/h1]
A: Jugūn i dalbade boobe araci ilan aniya wajirakū. This phrase means "Building a house by the roadside, three years and still not done." It implies that listening too much to others' gossip will prevent you from accomplishing anything. I hope everyone can hold onto their beliefs and ideals on their own paths.
19. Ai Manju gisun i dekdeni gisun be hūlasi sa de buki sembi ni?
Jabuhangge: 'jugūn i dalbade boobe araci ilan aniya wajirakū'. Gūwa i sula gisun be donjime goidaha bici, beye ai ai baita be muteburakū ombi sere gūnin. Meimeni jugūn de akdacun erecun be ilinakini~~
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