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Chinese Translation Dispute: "Aobama" or "Oubama"?

While Chinese government officials insist that it was President "Aobama" who visited China, the White House maintains that it was President "Oubama" who went to China.  "Aobama" vs. "Oubama", which is a more accurate Chinese translation for "Obama"? Expert at Abacus Chinese Translation Services tries to give an answer to the puzzled non Chinese speakers.

by Mary Ma
November 16, 2009

Los Angeles, California.: "Aobama" is the official Chinese translation for the last name of the current US President "Obama".  However, the White House suggested that the name should be translated as "Oubama", because it sounds closer to "Obama" in Mandarin.

"Traditionally, when translating foreign proper names phonetically, official Chinese translators follow a table in which certain Chinese characters are used instead of others.  The purpose is to allow Chinese people to immediately recognize that it is a non-Chinese speaking foreigner."  Says Samuel Chong, a Chinese translator at Abacus Chinese Translation Services. "Therefore, sometimes, the chosen character does not necessarily reflect the closest sound."

In the Chinese version, the character "ao" -- which means "mysterious" or "secret" -- is also used in the expression for the Olympic Games, "Aolinpike".  While the US version, the character "ou", means "Europe", and is used in the word "Europe".

"I guess it would take some time for Chinese people to accept the US version, if the Chinese government decides to adopt it.  It took about a year or so for the Chinese government to adopt the name "Shou'er" for the name of the capital of South Korea, "Seoul", instead of the traditionally used "Hancheng"" Chong adds.

Traditionally, when translating foreign names, there has been regional differences within China.  For example, the people in Canton (Guangdong) province used to call San Francisco "San Fan Shi", instead of "Jiu Jin Shan", or "Old Gold Mountain", in which most of the rest of the China uses.  "That is because most people in Canton (Guangdong) province speak Cantonese, instead of Mandarin.  It sounds much nicer to say "San Fan Shi" in Cantonese compared to "Jiu Jin Shan"."  Chong says.

People who are familiar with Chinese culture often have a Chinese like name that they give themselves.  Christopher Patten, the former governor of Hong Kong, has a Chinese name "Peng Dingkang", while the current Prime Minister of Australia, Kevin Rudd, has a Chinese name "Lu Kewen".

"Maybe President Obama can use our Chinese Name Translation service, and give himself a Chinese name as well, to settle the dispute. :) "  Chong jokes.

This article can also be found at http://www.certifiedchinesetranslation.com/09/1116-Chinese-translation-dispute-Obama.html

Comments from Readers:

Did you ever hear of a principle called 名从主人？

I would with respect bring to your attention the line in you article about U.S. President Obama's name is misleading. The only "official' translations for names of leaders come from their own national governments, certainly not from third country sources.

Let us not create the illusion that Chinese language is somehow different or special. Of course, the same is true when China decides how to translate the names of its leaders, like Mao Zedong instead of Mao Tsetoung which was more popular in France and sounds much better in French, or 'Beijing' which is hard for francophones to accept instead of Pekin.

Having a Han name might be fun, just like having an French name but I doubt that world leaders would want to change their names like that unless they are jocking.