Glossary entry (derived from question below)
May 9, 2005 10:46
19 yrs ago
Japanese term
Japan
鳥合の衆
Japanese to English
Art/Literary
Idioms / Maxims / Sayings
Idiomatic Phrases
This appears to be a fairly common idiomatic phrase, but I'm not sure of the standard English translation. In the piece I am translating, it is said that George Washington used this term to describe the Continental Army when it was first formed from new recruits from all the colonies, presently serving militiamen, and foreign officers from France and Germany.
The entire sentence is: それでもワシントン自らが[鳥合の衆]と評したスタートであった。
I think it might be translated as "a flock of birds", but I can find no reference on Google to Washington using this phrase. Any help would be appreciated.
The entire sentence is: それでもワシントン自らが[鳥合の衆]と評したスタートであった。
I think it might be translated as "a flock of birds", but I can find no reference on Google to Washington using this phrase. Any help would be appreciated.
Proposed translations
(English)
| 4 +2 | rabble |
Gemma Collinge
|
| 5 | unorganized mob |
Nobuo Kawamura
|
| 4 | disorderly crowd |
Kazuo SAWADA
|
Proposed translations
+2
14 mins
Gemma Collinge
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
Native in English
United Kingdom
East Asian Expertise
Native in: English 
Works in: Japanese to English, Chinese to English, English
Related KudoZ points
:
4
Japanese term (edited):
�����̏O
Selected
rabble
I believe it's a term to describe an undisciplined, unregulated crowd or army. So perhaps "rabble" or "undisciplined mob"?
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Note added at 20 mins (2005-05-09 11:07:03 GMT)
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glad that i could help!
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Note added at 20 mins (2005-05-09 11:07:03 GMT)
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glad that i could help!
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
Can Altinbay
: Both current suggestions are good. I prefer this one - short and succinct.
3 hrs
|
| agree |
humbird
5 hrs
|
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "I believe all the answers suggested are good, but since this is a direct quote, and I did find one reference to George Washington referring to the Massachussettes militia as a "rabble", I am selecting this answer. Thank you very much!"
3 hrs
Japanese term (edited):
�����̏O
disorderly crowd
a direct tranlation is "sheep that have no shepherd."
also, "ragtag and bobtail."
"disorderly ceowd" is a good translation, I believe.
FYI, 烏合の衆のようにis"like a herd of cattle,"
also, "ragtag and bobtail."
"disorderly ceowd" is a good translation, I believe.
FYI, 烏合の衆のようにis"like a herd of cattle,"
13 hrs
Nobuo Kawamura
Japan
Japan
Native in Japanese
Japan
professional translator since 2001
Native in: Japanese
Works in: English to Japanese, Italian to Japanese, Spanish to Japanese, and 3 more.
Related KudoZ points
:
8
unorganized mob
(for academic writing, I would prefer) unorganized mass
Discussion