I love getting copies of the translated editions of Swearing is Good for You. Like babies, they’re all unique and it’s not done to have favourites. From the subtle not to Never Mind the Bollocks… of the UK edition, to the cute kid flipping the bird on the US edition, to the beautiful F*ck Yeah pill on the US one.
But also like babies, some are…stranger than others? One edition turned up yesterday – thank you to CITIC Press and Felicity Bryan Associates – which has me a bit perplexed:
I’m astounded that anyone would take on the job of translating SIGFY because strong language is so culturally specific. But nothing has made me more aware of this fact than the cover of the Chinese edition.
Help me out, please, experts in Chinese culture. Is this rude? Does the word for llama sound like a swearword? Are Llamas somehow taboo? Is it even a llama? I will send this copy to the first person who can clear up the mystery! Answers on a tweet to @sciwriby please!
谢谢!
Emma Byrne, Science Writer and Broadcaster 