User:Nanshu/Translation

Reconstruction of non-Chinese terms from Chinese sources
Chinese characters are, undoubtedly, the worst writing system to transcript foreign words. The reading of each character depends on time and place. We often find it difficult to reconstruct non-Chinese terms from Chinese sources, especially if the languages are dead, but Mandarin readings are different beyond recognition from those of old Chinese. In Wikipedia I try to use original spellings at least for Mongolian and Manchu, but adopt Pinyin for other languages.

Disclaimer: My adoption of Pinyin does not mean my support for PRC's policies.

Translation of Chinese names and titles

 * &#37117;&#23561; du1 yu4 - Defender
 * &#37117;&#20803;&#24101; du1 yuan2 shuai4 - Commander-in-Chief
 * &#30435;&#36557; jian1 jun1 - Army-inspecting Censor (Ming)
 * &#32147;&#30053; jing1 lüe4 - Military Commissioner
 * &#37089; jun4 - Commandery
 * &#22826;&#23432; tai4 shou3 - Governor
 * &#34907; wei4 - Guard (Ming)
 * &#28216;&#25802; you1 ji2 - Mobile Corps Commander
 * &#32317;&#20853;&#23448; zong3 bing1 guan1 - Regional Commander

The titles of the Manchu imperial family and Mongol (and some Muslim) princes
need translation

Notes on Mongolian Romanization
I apply the Cyrillic script to Mongolian names related to Outer Mongolia after the Mongolian Revolution.

Transcription of the traditional Mongolian script

 * romanize vowel + gh + vowel or vowel + g + vowel to vowel + vowel if pronounced as a long vowel today.
 * romanize round vowels except on a first syllable to u if male, ü if female.
 * respect original spellings of foreign origin words (esp. Tibetan).

The above rules are not applied to the Todo script.

Exceptions for popular words
 * Khan (spelling: Khaghan, my romanization: Khaan)


 * Hothot (Köke Khota)