Here's the situation:
One of the main characters in my novel is a courtesan (ok, high-status prostitute) in turn-of-the-century Shanghai. She's attractive, witty -- but a bit of a *****. She can turn the charm on, but she's famous for making witty comments that put others down.
I've chosen the Chinese name for this character -- I'm naming her after my boss (ahem). What I would like for you to weigh in on is how to translate her name into English. I'm looking for the name/translation that a Western reader would find attractive ... intriguing ... fitting.
The most accurate, but much too long, translation of the name would be: Scarlet Legendary-Beauty-Who-Ascended-to-the-Moon.
Which do you prefer, then, for the courtesan: "Scarlet Beauty" or "Scarlet Moon"?
(p.s. the word for 'scarlet' can also be translated as 'crimson' or 'red' -- let me know if you don't think 'scarlet' sounds the best)
One of the main characters in my novel is a courtesan (ok, high-status prostitute) in turn-of-the-century Shanghai. She's attractive, witty -- but a bit of a *****. She can turn the charm on, but she's famous for making witty comments that put others down.
I've chosen the Chinese name for this character -- I'm naming her after my boss (ahem). What I would like for you to weigh in on is how to translate her name into English. I'm looking for the name/translation that a Western reader would find attractive ... intriguing ... fitting.
The most accurate, but much too long, translation of the name would be: Scarlet Legendary-Beauty-Who-Ascended-to-the-Moon.
Which do you prefer, then, for the courtesan: "Scarlet Beauty" or "Scarlet Moon"?
(p.s. the word for 'scarlet' can also be translated as 'crimson' or 'red' -- let me know if you don't think 'scarlet' sounds the best)