Candidates' names are tough in Chinese

[TZ]

BOSTON - Mitt Romney's been called many things as he runs for president, but chances are "Sticky Rice" isn't one of them.

That's how his name might be read on some ballots, according to state Secretary William Galvin.

Galvin says the federal Justice Department is pressuring Boston election officials to translate candidates' names into Chinese characters in precincts with prominent Chinese-speaking populations.

But there's more than a little lost in translation, according to Galvin.

Since there's no Chinese character for "Romney," translators have resorted to finding characters that most closely match the sound of each syllable in the name.

The problem is that there are many different characters that could be used to match the sound of each syllable, and many different meanings for each character.

So Mitt Romney could be read as "Sticky Rice" or "Uncooked Rice." Fred Thompson might be read as "Virtue Soup." And Barack Obama could be read as "Oh Bus Horse."

Galvin's own name could be read at least two different ways, as "High Prominent Noble Educated" or "Stick Mosquito."

But perhaps the most perplexing translation would be for Boston Mayor Thomas Menino's name, which could be read as "Sun Moon Rainbow Farmer" or "Imbecile," or "Barbarian Mud No Mind of His Own."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070626/ap_on_el_pr/lost_in_translation

I know there are perhaps valid reasons for this, but I still found it amusing. All I have to say is "Oh Bus Horse" for President!!!
:D

[bryant69]

1. Romney should be Uncooked Rice, not Sticky Rice

I like Sticky Rice.

Bryant
Check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

[Ian David]

2. No, "Sticky Rice" is appropriate for Romney...

1. Sticky Rice

n. a (usu. less attractive) homosexual Asian male who chooses to associate with and date only other Asian males; this orientation is often the result of bitterness over failing to generate any sexual interest among non-Asian (mainly White) suitors. Also often associated with inadequate in-person social skills with regard to interaction with people outside their own race.

That group of Asian guys trying to look bad ass while they sulk and cower in the corner are definitely sticky rice.

More:
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=sticky+rice

[TechBear_Seattle]

3. "Bite the wax tadpole"

From Snopes: http://www.snopes.com/cokelore/tadpole.asp

[nuxvomica]

4. I don't see what the problem is

Further on it's suggested that they look the names up in Chinese-language newspapers, which seems to be the obvious thing to do rather than choosing the characters from scratch. Ultimately, people have a different gestalt for these names and will not immediately associate the person with the other meaning. Should ballots with "Bush" on them have spelled his name differently -- maybe "Boosh" or "Bouche" -- to avoid the connotation with a mindless plant? Or is that a poor example?

[Javaman]

5. bushs* name in any language is still fucking idiot*. nt

[Auggie]

6. I think Romney should be called Mr. Sticky Rice from now on