We received this note from David Moser in Beijing, reminding us that, at the moment, China is rather quiet. In fact, news reports are that Chinese travelers are avoiding the US and that, financially, China appears to be doing better than expected. Moser writes that the new feeling of security is being reflected in currently circulating jokes…
Translation by David Moser
This text message is being passed around virally this May 1st holiday. For the first time in my memory, China is feeling safe and comfortable at home. From their vantage point, it’s the rest of the world going to hell!
五一何所见?
北美猪疫黯.
美汽车破产.
法总统服软.
韩审卢武铉.
朝嚷放火箭.
巴伊阿泰惨.
街头扔炸弹.
他乱由他乱.
咱享咱平安.
It’s May First: What’s the bottom line?
North America hit by flu from swine.
U.S. car companies in sharp decline.
The French president has lost his spine.
Roh Moo-hyun’s on the firing line.
The North Korean missile fell into the brine.
Israel, Afghanistan, Thailand, Palestine --
Everywhere you step, a potential land mine.
The rest of the world can worry and whine.
Let’s you and me enjoy China’s Cloud Nine.
2 comments:
One slight mistranslation, I think - the 伊 refers to Iran or Iraq (anyone's guess which), but not Israel, which is 以. Also, 巴 could mean either Palestine or Pakistan - either would seem to make sense nowadays...
That's a very good translation - love the rhymes.
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