Forum - View topicErogappa or Perverted Kappa?
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DriftRoot
 Posts: 222 Location: NH |
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To make a long story short, I need a decent, reliable translation of a phrase that turns up in the various Saiyuki series. This would be what Sha Goyjo is frequently called in English (in a derogatory manner): "perverted kappa," or even more literally, "perverted water sprite." Somewhere on the Internet there is someone claiming that the only reason "perverted kappa" has ever shown up in translations is because it sounds somewhat like "erogappa," the Japanese term for what Goyjo is apparently being called, and that therefore "perverted kappa" is not correct. Of course, they fail to state what they think IS a correct translation.
Anyways, I'd be extremely pleased if someone with knowledge of the term "erogappa" and Saiyuki could sort this out. And yes, I've searched high and low on the Internet for the answer and no, I haven't found one. This may be because the term "erogappa" itself doesn't exist...but I hope not. Much thanks in advance for any light shed! Trust me, the answer is important far beyond satisfying my curiosity (I don't really care too much WHAT Goyjo's called, I just need to for certain what it is.) |
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ShadrachAnki
 Posts: 180 Location: New England |
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The term being used in the Japanese is erogappa, however whoever was saying that "perverted kappa" is an incorrect translation is mistaken.
Japanese is full of borrowed words and shortened words, and in this case we have both things going on. Ero is a shortening of 'erotic' and is generally used in the same sense as the word 'perverted' is often used in English. Gappa is quite simply the term kappa, or water sprite/demon. When Japanese is being spoken you will often find that certain consonant sounds will shift depending on where the sound falls in the word (or combined string of words). The "k" sounds will shift to "g" sounds because it's easier to say. Another example of this would be the word shinigami. The "gami" part of that, when written by itself, is prounounced "kami" I hope that helps shed some light on the situation. ^_^ ~Shadrach Anki |
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DriftRoot
Posts: 222 Location: NH |
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Heh, that is exactly how I always derived "perverted kappa" from "erogappa." I'm glad someone who knows more than I do (apparently) agrees with me.
 Thanks you!
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ShadrachAnki
Posts: 180 Location: New England |
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Five semesters studying Japanese in college will give you at least a basic knowledge of the language. ^_^
I'm glad I could help answer your question! ~Shadrach Anki |
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