When I was young, I heard the story and songs from my parents and teachers. When I studied in earlier childhood education in college, I heard the story, too. It is quite common and popular story in Taiwan. It has been translated to English version. I want to introduce this Taiwanese Folktale to all of you. And I wonder whether the story could be told with little kids. In the Asian culture, adults want to use some scare stories to make children to de good and follow what they want to be. What do you think from your perspective in the U.S.?
This is the 12 minutes on-line movies
http://www.jodyanimator.com/tvseries/aunt_tiger.html
The story has different version based on who tell the story.
It also was been created to a Nursery rhyme.
I provide two links on you-tube, you could click them and listen to it in Chinese.
I would provide the simple translation based on word to word.
虎姑婆 (TIGER AUNTY)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yt9hgM51jAw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJ8ev70C6o4&feature=related
Long, Long time ago (好久好久的故事)
My mother told me; (是媽媽告訴我)
In a deep dark night (在好深好深的夜裡)
There is the “TIGER AUNTY.” (會有虎姑婆)
So, crying children, do not cry (爱哭的孩子不要哭)
For she will bite your little ears. (他會咬你的小耳朵)
Awoken kids, fall asleep quickly. (不睡的孩子趕快睡)
If you do not sleep, she will bite your little fingers. (他會咬你的小指頭)
Remember, Remember. (還記得,還記得)
He said with his squinted eyes, (眯著眼睛說)
Good kids fall asleep (乖乖的孩子睡著了)
The END (Repeat several times in the same paragraph)
I love this story. I'm studying Mandarin in Pingtung and have just translated a version of it into English.
回覆刪除Can't say owt from an American perspective, but from my British point of view I'd say that it strikes me as really grusome. Once I read the story and asked my Taiwanese friends I was surprised to learn that little kids learn it. However, folkstories all over the world are grusome, I suppose. When I taught English in Germany I found the version of Little Red Riding Hood we taught our 6 year old pupils very bloody. The kids loved it though.
By the way, your translation is spot on and, from my perspective as a student of Mandarin, very useful, so thanks a lot.