Black lives matter.
The rallying cry has been translated into Japanese as, 黒人の命が大切.
The literal translation: The lives of Black people are important/to be cherished/precious.
But what is “life?”
Life, as in the kind that can be taken away from us, 命.
Life, as in the years that span from the day we’re born to the day we die, 人生.
Life, as in the way we sustain a living, 生活.
“Matters” in what sense? Something that’s a big deal, 大事 or a necessity, 重要?
I believe that every different way of seeing the definition of “life” opens a conversation. A conversation on the different ways that systemic racism has impacted people.
It’s not enough to just want Black people to live. We need to live well and thrive.
We’re literally sick of racism. No semantics.
One Comment
Gisele Phalo
Amazing article! I have always found learning a language fascinating, and I always find myself looking up etymologies and reflecting philosophically on literal translations. In my opinion, understand literal translations is like icing on the cake: you don’t really need it, but it sure tastes good! Oh, and it might add a few pounds! Haha.