Naming the 24 Taijiquan Forms

Dear Michael:

"A friend of mine asked me to help translate Tai Chi 24 Forms into Cantonese dialect. Your web page of 24 Forms was introduced to me for reference. I am amazed at the number of translations for each movement.

I have come to realize the difficult task of getting to the real essence of translation. Inappropriate or incompetent translation makes the concepts ambiguous or misleading (with all the funny Chinese phrases of naming things.) Though in all honesty, each source tries to fit the bill, rarely do they come across the original design/intent of the moves in a comprehensive way.

Usually most Western sources just cannot read the Chinese words, lesser still the Chinese way of thinking. The Chinese side usually don’t know English well enough to get the essence across with poor diction.

But I must say that I am no expert. Only that I have observed some errors, and thought I should mention it to contribute to common understanding. I only do so as you welcome suggestions from others. (I am a native Chinese speaker.)

Here are the examples:

#3   白鵝亮翅 Word to word: White| Goose| Flash| Wing

Most Tai Chi schools use White Crane Spreads Its Wings. If this is the case, then the Chinese phrase should be白鶴亮翅. 鶴 = Crane.

白鶴亮翅  Bai He Liang Chi  [Mandarin]

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# 8   拦雀尾右 : Lan Que Wei You : Grasp the Bird's Tail Right

拦 means ‘To block’, not ‘grasp’. This I believe is a typo, as it has the same sound as 揽.

So is should be揽雀尾[右]  Lan Que Wei (You) [Mandarin] (Notice I put a bracket around the word右,RIGHT; for better illustration.)

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#16   下势 : Xia Shi : Snake (?) Creeps Down

下势  Word to word:  Low| Inertia, dynamic force, or tendency, etc.

There is no mentioning of any animal’s name. I would be interested to know how this translation came about. Or, it is taken as an English slang?

Ok, that is all. I am struggling with my own thinking on this tough translation project. I admire your zest of life reflected in your web pages.

All the best."
Phil


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Phil,

I have often been perplexed about the translations or interpolations of the "names" of the movements in various Taijiquan forms.  The reference sources I have studied vary somewhat.  

I'm sure that a Cantonese vs a Mandarin starting point would reveal different results.  Then, again, an English, Spanish, or French version would provide additional interesting interpolations. 

As for my qualifications, I am fluent in only in the English language.  The only other language I use in my daily life is Spanish. 

Considering the worldwide popularity of the Standard Simplified 24 T'ai Chi Ch'uan 1956 form, I thought that some effort should be made to show the range of given names for each of the movement forms in the 24 Form, and I tried to do so on my Taijiquan 24 Form webpage. 

I welcome your comments and suggestions.  I would be willing to integrate them into my webpage if you send them to me, link to your webpage on the subject, or publish your final document as a separate webpage.     

Best Wishes,

Mike Garofalo 

Correspondence Examples

I get many emails each week from people reading my webpages or blog.  I enjoy the correspondence and hope my responses are useful.  I could easily fill my blog with correspondence alone.  Here are two from today:

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"I e-mailed you once before with some questions and you responded promptly.  You were very helpful. 
It seems you have some health issues.  Diabetes?  
Are you interested in nutrition?
There is a book I'm currently reading that is very interesting.  "The Perfect Health Diet" by Paul and Shou-Ching Shih Jaminet.  Check it out.  
Best, 
 Tom"

"Tom, I am 67 years old, so some health problems are highly probable.

Yes, I do have diabetes:  http://www.egreenway.com/yoga/diabetes.htm
I generally follow Mark Hyman's, M.D., "Blood Sugar Solution."   
Thanks for your book suggestion from the Jaminets, 
Mike."


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"Hi Mike, I'm from Argentina, taichi beginer, always looking for info and answers... I recently found your website, looking for Chen Short 18 Form info, great work!! Thanks for that...

I have a couple of questions that I always have for experienced teachers:

What do you think about the eternal discusion between Chen vs Yang?  It's Chen style taijiquan or it's Pao Chui mixed with some other things?  Is Yang the original taichichuan?  Not an easy question.

And last question, do you think it's the same (health and gong fu related) to do 1 long form (i.e. lao jia) rather than doing the 18 form for 5 times?  Can someone get gong fu by practicing only a short form several times?

Thank you very much, 
Maiano"


Mariano,

1.  Learn both the Yang 24 and the Chen 18.  Both have advantages and benefits.  If you prefer one over the other, then learn the traditional long form of the one you prefer.  Historical discussions and debates can be quite irrelevant to your physique, lifestyle, preferences, and current opportunities.  

2.  I think Chen style Taijiquan offers more to those interested in vigorous physical conditioning routines, i.e., both Lao Jia Yi Lu and Lao Jian Er Lu (Cannon Fist) and weapons.  Few Yang Taijiquan stylists do fast or vigorous forms.  For complete physical conditioning you will need to supplement Taijiquan with strength training, aerobic conditioning, and yoga.  

3.  Based upon my research, Chen Taijiquan was created around 1650 CE and Yang Taijiquan around 1850 CE.  Martial arts training, or course, goes back thousands of years before 1650 CE, and was radically redefined after the introduction of firearms in the 1850's.  Longer forms give you more martial arts techniques.  

4.  The amount of time you train hard is the key factor in getting stronger, more skilled, and in better overall condition.  As for overall longevity and good health, it is about 55% lifestyle, 5% medicine, and the rest is genetics and good luck. 

Best Wishes,

Mike