help for translation !

[choufi51]

Hi everyone,
It's my first topic on the site
I need help to make a small english- Thaï translation ... I'm trying to develop a design that will aim to be tattooed, and I would like to incorporate the following sentence : There are those who will wait for their destiny to change, and there are those who will change it themselves.
Is there someone here to translate this to me faithfully? or do you have an idea for me to find an accurate translation? because google translation is good, but reliability level :(
thank you to those who help me!

[rgs2001uk]

My biggest problem is with the word, destiny, do you mean, life, future, path?

There are somethings that just dont translate, or dont translate the way you mean.

Why would you want a tattoo in Thai, are you Thai, if so you would already know what this means in Thai.

If you aint Thai why would you want a tattoo written in Thai script?

[kriswillems]

if you're going to translate this word by word it will not look particularly understandable

Maybe you could try:

มนุษย์คือผู้กำหนดชะตาชีวิตของตัวเอง

(A) man/woman sets his/her own destiny,

[choufi51]

thanks for you're answer. I'm french, sorry form my english, and I'm a girl I want to translate this in thaï because i'm gone in thaïlande 2 years ago (and I want to return), and this trip transformed me. This translantion in thaï is like a tribute to thaïlande. all the tatoo will refer of my old life, my new life, sprituality, and thaïlande. Good idea kriswillems for your proposition. Perhaps could you try "we are all master of our destiny". (here destiny means futur, fortune, the way our life takes). do you understand what I mean ?

[choufi51]

or " My destiny is mine" ? I know it's difficulte to translate "destiny" in thaï...

someone to help me ?

[kriswillems]

I just want to add a remark that saying "we all master out destiny" is very different from what many Thai people believe.

I've met many people here that told me that we're not able to change our destiny (more than in Europe, where almost everyone believes we choose our destiny).

So, writing this in Thai is a bit strange, because it conflicts with what many people think here.

In my experience, but I might be wrong, most Thai people have a Newtonian view on the world - every action has a reaction - and life is like a predefined sequence of actions and reactions. I think this is the result of a misinterpretation of what karma means in Buddhism. Also, again in my opinion, the Thai interpretation of Buddhism very much focuses on the understanding or even acceptance of suffering, while western religions are more focused on not accepting injustice and rectifying problems . In other words, we're rebels, but the Thai are conformists. I think rebels are more likely to change their destiny.

Also,you might think it's cool to have a tattoo with a translation of your worldview, but to Thai people you'll just look strange.

Most tattoos here are about religion or are just pretty pictures, I never met a Thai who had a Thai slogan tattood(but i've to admit I'm not really into tattoos).

Edited March 18, 2014 by kriswillems

[thailampang2012]

Many Buddhist temples in Thailand have a monk tattoo master, a special room for that, and a large selection of tattoos with different meanings. Most of the times, after the tattooing is finished, a short ceremony and pray is done. I did, 3 years ago in BK, and I am proud to wear it. Its meaning is protection and luck ..and I think is working. If the master monk speak your language, you may get the tattoo design and meaning you are looking for.

By the way....just pay by donation..100THB?...or ..a smile?

Edited March 18, 2014 by thailampang2012

[Mole]

I would also recommend you get a so called yantra tattoo instead.

It's not just about the Thai culture that makes what you want written lost in translation.

It's also not in Thai tattoo custom to write proverb or things like that in Thai characters.

If those are the words of wisdom you want to get tattooed, I actually suggest you simply get it tattooed in English.

If you would like to get a "Thai" tattoo, then you should definitely get a yantra tattoo instead. There are tattoo masters who can suggest a suitable design for you according to your interests or something which may enhance your luck or personality in some way. They'll have a chat with you and will be able to suggest some designs for you. All the text in some designs are magical spells. By having such a tattoo, you'll get instant recognition by other tattoo enthusiasts. Unlike if you get something like you wanted written in Thai, they might roll their eyes instead.

Since you're female, you won't be able to get a tattoo from a Buddhist temple like thailampang2012 suggested because the monks are not allowed to touch women.

Google yantra tattoo and you should see lots of pics with different designs.

They're supposed to be made by special yantra tattoo masters who will tattoo in the old way using a bamboo stick with needle. The settings will be at their house and not at some tattoo shop.

[Mole]

For "destiny" there are a few words which are usually used but they have slightly different meanings.

ชะตากรรม

Means like a destiny according to your deeds (karma). It contains the word กรรม which is from the Sanskrit word "karma" with exactly the same meaning in Thai. However, it's usually used about destiny related to bad karma.

พรหมลิขิต

This also means destiny, but it's something that has been destined and will inevitably happen no matter what. Like 2 people who was destined to meet and become a couple. It's something you can not chose or change. (Which means this word can not be used with your indented meaning)

But as I said, I don't really recommend you getting these words tattooed.

Actually, after re-reading your posts, I think a yantra tattoo should be perfect for you.

You can have a chat with the yantra tattoo master and he'll be able to suggest some deigns suitable for you and also their indented meaning and purpose.

Edited March 18, 2014 by Mole

[choufi51]

thank you everybody for all your good advice By readind, I've realized that my projet is not logical. I will reflect again about my personnal tatoo thanks very much !!!!!!!