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Why the plan to rename Pikachu has made Hong Kong angry | Why the plan to rename Pikachu has made Hong Kong angry |
(about 17 hours later) | |
Japanese game-maker Nintendo is about to release two new games in its hugely popular Pokemon series. | Japanese game-maker Nintendo is about to release two new games in its hugely popular Pokemon series. |
But a decision to use only Mandarin Chinese names for the characters has proved controversial in Hong Kong. | But a decision to use only Mandarin Chinese names for the characters has proved controversial in Hong Kong. |
The BBC looks at why fans and linguists are so riled. | The BBC looks at why fans and linguists are so riled. |
1. What's in a name - Beikaciu or Pikaqiu? | 1. What's in a name - Beikaciu or Pikaqiu? |
Pokemon characters' names used to be translated differently in different parts of the Chinese-speaking world, to reflect local pronunciation. Hence, the hugely beloved Pikachu was known for decades as Bei-Ka-Ciu in Hong Kong, and Pi-Ka-Qiu in mainland China. | Pokemon characters' names used to be translated differently in different parts of the Chinese-speaking world, to reflect local pronunciation. Hence, the hugely beloved Pikachu was known for decades as Bei-Ka-Ciu in Hong Kong, and Pi-Ka-Qiu in mainland China. |
But Nintendo announced earlier this year that it would be unifying the names of more than 100 Pokemon characters, and has renamed many of them according to the Mandarin translations. | But Nintendo announced earlier this year that it would be unifying the names of more than 100 Pokemon characters, and has renamed many of them according to the Mandarin translations. |
Both Cantonese and Mandarin speakers read Chinese, although people in Hong Kong use the traditional Chinese script while people on mainland China use simplified Chinese. | Both Cantonese and Mandarin speakers read Chinese, although people in Hong Kong use the traditional Chinese script while people on mainland China use simplified Chinese. |
However, the same words can be pronounced differently in each language. | However, the same words can be pronounced differently in each language. |
For example, Pikachu's new official Chinese name, 皮卡丘, is pronounced Pi-Ka-Qiu in Mandarin. But in Cantonese, the characters would be pronounced Bei-Ka-Jau - which Hong Kong critics argue sound nothing like Pikachu's original name. | For example, Pikachu's new official Chinese name, 皮卡丘, is pronounced Pi-Ka-Qiu in Mandarin. But in Cantonese, the characters would be pronounced Bei-Ka-Jau - which Hong Kong critics argue sound nothing like Pikachu's original name. |
2. It's about identity | 2. It's about identity |
More than 6,000 people signed a petition in March asking Nintendo to reverse its decision. Then on Monday dozens of people protested at the Japanese consulate. | More than 6,000 people signed a petition in March asking Nintendo to reverse its decision. Then on Monday dozens of people protested at the Japanese consulate. |
For a small but vocal group, the move has hit a nerve. | For a small but vocal group, the move has hit a nerve. |
"Our main point is that the translation ignores Hong Kong's culture," said a spokesman from a Facebook group known as Petition to keep Regional Chinese Translations of Pokemon. "There's no respect for it." | |
"We are aware of the reasons behind Nintendo's translation, presumably to make it easier for purposes such as publicity, but the move ignores a lot of players. We hope the Hong Kong market can be taken seriously and treated sincerely." | "We are aware of the reasons behind Nintendo's translation, presumably to make it easier for purposes such as publicity, but the move ignores a lot of players. We hope the Hong Kong market can be taken seriously and treated sincerely." |
The BBC's Juliana Liu in Hong Kong says the dispute taps into growing local fears that Cantonese - along with local culture and tradition - is being supplanted by Mandarin. | The BBC's Juliana Liu in Hong Kong says the dispute taps into growing local fears that Cantonese - along with local culture and tradition - is being supplanted by Mandarin. |
Prof Stephen Matthews of the School of Humanities, University of Hong Kong, agrees. | Prof Stephen Matthews of the School of Humanities, University of Hong Kong, agrees. |
"It's seen in the current climate as creeping 'mainlandisation'," he said. | "It's seen in the current climate as creeping 'mainlandisation'," he said. |
"In the last few years people have felt that what makes Hong Kong special is disappearing bit by bit and what is an issue of Pokemon which is fairly trivial, becomes a big one because it's very sensitive." | "In the last few years people have felt that what makes Hong Kong special is disappearing bit by bit and what is an issue of Pokemon which is fairly trivial, becomes a big one because it's very sensitive." |
Just months ago, there were violent clashes between so-called "localist" anti-Beijing groups and police, in a dispute over food stalls. | Just months ago, there were violent clashes between so-called "localist" anti-Beijing groups and police, in a dispute over food stalls. |
3. It's about language | 3. It's about language |
Last year, the city's Education Bureau caused an uproar when it suggested that Cantonese was not an official language, our correspondent says. | Last year, the city's Education Bureau caused an uproar when it suggested that Cantonese was not an official language, our correspondent says. |
Hong Kong residents, supported by many linguists, believe Cantonese is a proper language, on par with Mandarin. | Hong Kong residents, supported by many linguists, believe Cantonese is a proper language, on par with Mandarin. |
"I think language is perhaps one of the most important things that marks Hong Kong from the rest of China," said Prof Matthews. | "I think language is perhaps one of the most important things that marks Hong Kong from the rest of China," said Prof Matthews. |
"It's crystal clear that Mandarin speakers cannot understand Cantonese and vice versa. They are not mutually intelligible." | "It's crystal clear that Mandarin speakers cannot understand Cantonese and vice versa. They are not mutually intelligible." |
But in mainland China itself, the dizzyingly diverse range of regional forms of speech are known only as dialects, not languages in their own right. | But in mainland China itself, the dizzyingly diverse range of regional forms of speech are known only as dialects, not languages in their own right. |
Earlier in February, Hong Kong officials received more than 10,000 complaints in three days after a TV programme began using subtitles in mainland Chinese characters instead of Hong Kong's traditional script. | Earlier in February, Hong Kong officials received more than 10,000 complaints in three days after a TV programme began using subtitles in mainland Chinese characters instead of Hong Kong's traditional script. |
4. It's about the 'collective memory of a generation' | 4. It's about the 'collective memory of a generation' |
Hong Kong activist group Civic Passion organised Monday's demonstration. | Hong Kong activist group Civic Passion organised Monday's demonstration. |
"Pikachu has been in Hong Kong for more than 20 years," said Sing Leung, one of those who took part. | "Pikachu has been in Hong Kong for more than 20 years," said Sing Leung, one of those who took part. |
"It is not simply a game or comic book, it is the collective memory of a generation." | "It is not simply a game or comic book, it is the collective memory of a generation." |
"It was a good decision for them to launch a Chinese version of the game, but it has not respected the culture and language of specific places." | "It was a good decision for them to launch a Chinese version of the game, but it has not respected the culture and language of specific places." |