You must have seen a Shaolin monk in a Shaolin Arhat robe or in a Shaolin monk robe, doing impressive and gravity-defying tricks. And you surely have been mesmerized by it. That’s the beauty of Kung-Fu. The uniform names differ according to the type of Kung-Fu. However, despite the huge difference in each type, all of us are aware of Kung-Fu and how it represents Chinese culture. A Chinese translation service is responsible for deciphering the true wisdom behind this fighting technique from classic Chinese to modern day Chinese for the youth. The true question that arises here is that with the elimination of geographical and linguistic boundaries, is the essence of this translation getting lost or are we capturing it right?
In this read, we are going to answer this critical question as well as talk about the origin of Kung-Fu. Other than that, we will also talk about how the concept of Kung-Fu is globalized and used in movies.
Kung-Fu – The Identity of China
Chinese martial arts or Kung-Fu is one of the reasons for China’s fame. One general mistake that all of us make is that we put Jiu-Jitsu, Karate, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Judo, etc in one frame as if they are all the same thing. When in reality, all of them have different origins and background stories behind them. Their masters and schools of thought are also very different from each other.
Kung-Fu is a traditional Chinese martial arts form which focuses on self-defense and physical fitness. This martial art is one of the reasons that you will find old Kung-Fu masters still physically and mentally strong despite being over 80 or 90 years old. Kung-Fu is an endurance training for its practitioners which makes them strong and flexible.
The Origin of Kung-Fu
We have seen Kung-Fu in movies and it is for sure that we all are in awe of this fighting technique. The origin of this fierce form of martial arts goes back to the 5th century BC when the Zhao dynasty was at its peak in China. In the Shaolin Temple, a Buddhist monastery in the Chinese province of Henan, Kung-Fu was first practiced. In the start, it was for self-defense and a cultural part of China, which made it compulsory for the Chinese to learn it. It was even considered as a part of religion for the Chinese which is why they followed it so religiously and respected their masters.
It was later incorporated in the military where soldiers were trained in Kung-Fu for close combat. Chinese philosophies like Taoism and Confucianism also have deep roots in Kung-Fu. In the words of Chinese masters, Kung-Fu is a physical practice and self-disciplinary technique that brings human life in perfect harmony.
Translation Services – Means of Accurate Cultural Exchange
Now let’s talk about the role of a translation agency in making Kung-Fu and its philosophy understandable for global audiences. As mentioned earlier, Kung-Fu is purely a Chinese martial art which makes its philosophy completely resonate with the Chinese culture and traditions. In order to make this philosophy comprehensive for multilingual audiences the use of translation services is quite crucial.
With the help of translation services, the cultural concept is successfully imparted to the audiences. This philosophy includes harmony and balance with one’s soul in order to feel whole. Kung-Fu is not just about physical strength. It talks about “Yi” which means inner intention and mind. It is about channeling one’s will in one direction and attaining peace.
Globalization of Kung-Fu in Movies
Today’s Kung-Fu techniques differ a lot from the classic techniques. It is because of the passage of time as well as the geographical adaptations. In China, Kung-Fu is both a cultural phenomenon as well as a fighting style while in other countries it is just a fighting technique. There are multiple competitions where Kung-Fu fighters take part which makes Kung-Fu a competitive sport. This post has been a part of the movie culture for a very long time. There are literally so many movies made on this competitive sport such as the KungFu Panda film series, KungFu Hustle, and so many more.
A Chinese translation agency translates these movies into Chinese for the Chinese speaking communities and showcases how the original concept of Kung-Fu is kept intact in the movies. You must have noticed how Shifu teaches Po Kung-Fu in his own distinct way. Despite the difference in teaching technique, Po learns the true essence of Kung-Fu and finds inner peace through it.
Final Words!
To sum up, the globalization of Kung-Fu through translation allows all cultures to learn this martial art and learn more about how it is a way of living for the Chinese. Movies like KungFu Panda and KungFu Hustle depict the true meaning of Kung-Fu. With the help of translation, the Kung-Fu philosophy is translated for the global masses and the concept of this martial art/competitive sport is spread worldwide.