Translation request

[ImagineThePossibilities]

So, I'm looking to get a tattoo, and wanted to triple check that this translates into what the internet says it does!

เวลาไม่ได้วัดจากเสียงติ๊กของนาฬิกา แต่วัดจากจำนวนครั้งของการโยนลูกเต๋า

Anyways, according to the website, the direct translation is "Time not measured from sound tick of clock but measured from amount times throwing dice," which would translate into "Time isn't measured by ticks of a clock, but rolls of a dice"

Website: http://bookofzen.com/post/26141671211/learn-a-thai-poem-on-time-zen-quote

I feel like it is cliche to get a tattoo in Thai, but Thailand was the first place that inspired me to travel, and I've spent my entire life since saving for and going travelling. So it seems appropriate.

Cheers,

Carter

[noikrit]

Just checked with the missus, sounds about right

[Mole]

Although the Thai is grammatically correct, the whole phrase is still kinda lost in translation. I wouldn't have tattooed that if I were you.

Why not find some genuinely Thai words of wisdom instead of having to translate something from another language into Thai.

[yvanlu]

That is a good zen quote translated from Chinese language. The English translation is OK.

[Mole]

So they had ticking clocks in ancient China?

Instead of having something genuine Thai phrase, you'd rather have a so called zen quote which was originally in Chinese, translated to English, then phonetically translated into Thai...

Reminds me of those people who'd like to have the initials of their English names tattooed with Chinese "kanji".

[Mole]

A better translation would be to replace that เสียงติ๊ก which is just a phonetic rendering of English "tick" for เสียงเข็มนาฬิกา which is the Thai word for the tick of a clock.

เวลาไม่ได้วัดจากเสียงเข็มนาฬิกา แต่วัดจากจำนวนครั้งของการโยนลูกเต๋า

[tgeezer]

That is a good zen quote translated from Chinese language. The English translation is OK.

Perhaps you could translate the English translation: "Time isn't measured by ticks of a clock but by rolls of a dice"

Without involving Steven Hawking, time is measured by clocks, so time must be a metaphor for something.

I'll let you tell me.

I agree with Mole, at least one should know what a tattoo means if you intend to wear it forever and this English seems a little glib to me or I am too thick to get it.

[kriswillems]

I don't understand the expression (and probably most people, including most Thai people, won't understand it).

[tgeezer]

I don't understand the expression (and probably most people, including most Thai people, won't understand it).

I wouldn't expect most Thais to understand it because it appears to be a translation of English.

[umbanda]

My opinion.....If you will get a Thai meaningful tatoo, and do not mind to have one related with Buddhism, search not in tatoo shops, look in temples.

In many temples is a place for a expert monk to do tatoos on the temple's followers with all kind of meanings and intentions. I got a small one after a meditation retreat in BK with the temple's seal and wording, for luck and protection. Also I got a particular blessing ceremony with that. Something to remember the rest of my life, and for a modest donation...not a tatoo shop charge.

I believe that is working. I got lucky and protected many times, but most important, helps me to improve my empathy with Thai people. They recognize the seal, and they are glad that I adopted the Buddhist philosophy of life.

[Mole]

I actually also recommend like what umbada said. It's a so called yantra tattoo. Although most of the designs are of khmer origins, this is what Thais would have had tattooed. You will instantly get recognition by fellow tattoo folks anywhere in the world, while most Thais would probably shake their heads if they saw you tattoo that phrase.