Names

(Our discussion on English translation went on.)

“Not all Chinese names have a good English equivalent,” Vivian protested.

“Of course, but many do,” I smiled, “For example, Tseung Kwan O (將軍澳) could easily be called the General Bay, and Tiu King Leng (調景嶺) should really be the Hanging Height. Alas, I suppose you know the name of that latter place came along because so many unfortunate people hanged themselves in the 1940s and 50s.”

“Well, you may have a point,” my wife was forced to agree, “After all, it is more poetic to call a place Rainbow rather than Choi Hung (彩虹).”

“And more informative to say Huang’s Temple rather than Wong Tai Sin (黃大仙), or Tiger Rock instead of Lok Fu (樂富) – and, actually, Tiger Rock (老虎岩) was the original name of that valley.”

“In that case, maybe Diamond Hill (鑽石山) is the rare exception of appropriate English translation!” Vivian added with a smile.

“May be not,” I laughed, “The hill (山) has no diamond what-so-ever. All it had was stone (石) that could be drilled (鑽)!”