Saw a tag marvelling at the number of TYK translations available, so here’s a breakdown of what translations are out there and why they exist and why I have beef with some of them:
Sparkling Water (Ch. 1-30) — The first English translation of TYK. Has some mistakes—e.g. Zhou Zishu’s robes in his first appearance became turquoise instead of the original sapphire, accidentally influencing quite a few fan artists—and skips translating some lines altogether, notably the poetry. Dropped the project after Ch. 30. We thank SW but look forward to greener pastures.
Wenbuxing (Ch. 31-67) — Picks up where SW left off. Dropped the project after Ch. 67 because Chichi sniped the project, seemingly to capitalise on SHL’s airing.
Chichi (Ch. 68-end; later Ch. 1-67 as well) — Started translating from Ch. 68 despite the fact that Wenbuxing was still working on their translation, thereby breaking the etiquette of the fan translation community. Then there was a thing about taking payment for fan translation, which broke another etiquette. I wish I could say my lack of respect for Chichi is purely a reflection of her apparent level of respect for other fan translators personal, but I could never take seriously a gufeng danmei translation that unironically translates a common title as “Don”, decides to use the anachronism “kerosene” in the penultimate line of the Wen Kexing extra*, and bulldozes through idioms and the listing of Gu Xiang’s dowry to the point of incomprehension, much less recommend it in good faith.
Xuxunette (Ch. 1-67) — Is a TERF. IDK what else to say. Like, hashtag-JK-Rowling-is-not-transphobic kind of TERF. If I want to be petty, utilising the word “Arcadia” and “Candyland” and warping the poetry to fit traditional English meters are cringe AF. I personally just find her diction insufferable. If I had found TYK through her translation, suffice to say that I would have never finished TYK.
Lianzi (Ch. 1-ongoing) — My personal favourite so far in terms of the rendering of TYK in English prose.
* I lose three years of my life every time I see TYK fans quoting the kerosene version of this iconic line.
If he passes on, I will hold a bundle of dry grass, douse myself in kerosene, and burn up together with him, turning to ash, becoming one with the earth in the same spot.
If he departs from this world, I’ll bring grass and oil to cremate myself along with his body, so that even as we turn to ashes, we will still be together.
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