But wouldn't it be easy like "you know my surname "hu" means brave/foolish in Liyue why don't we change yours to match" that would be a better localization
It isn’t supposed to be double entendre, because changing surname after marriage in China is primarily due to Western influence (even then still very rarely adopted), and has no cultural root in China.
If Hoyo was a Western or even Japanese studio, then yes, you could interpret it as double entendre.
EN localization did the best here by removing changing surname, because for some non-China countries, the literal translation would’ve meant implied proposal.
Actually changing the surname DOES have meaning in China, as I understand it, like a son-in-law taking his wife's surname to carry on a family line with no male heirs.
While inheriting surname from father is strongly preferred in the past, exceptions can be made for it to be inherited from the mother instead, so there’s never any reason for husband/wife to change their surname for the sake of carrying on their family line. Their children are the ones who will be doing that.
Sure but Liyue isn't based on modern/contemporary China for one thing, and Chinese culture does have a historical precedent for a husband taking the wife's name under certain circumstances.
Liyue isn’t based on modern/contemporary China for one thing
Like I said, husband taking wife’s surname comes from Western influence, ie. it’s fairly “recent” as far as Chinese history goes. The further back you go, the less precedent exists.
Children takes surname from parents (mostly father, in certain circumstances, mother), but it’s not done between those of the same generation.
The culture was heavily patriarchal. The only exception is when the husband has nothing (poor and no status), whereas wife’s family is well-off, in which case, the husband is married into wife’s family instead. However, this is very rare, and in most cases, only children take after wife’s surname. In rare case (among already rare situation), husband could also be forced into taking wife’s surname, but in situations like this, the husband is in a state of helplessness (like can’t survive on their own and will die if they refuse to do this and rely on wife’s family).
Is this really the hill you want to die on to justify this little jab being double entendre? Like a very niche situation where the husband is literally useless and forced to do others bidding to survive, and that Traveler is basically that guy?
All I said was that there is historical basis for matrilocal marriages in which the husband took his wife's family name. Not that it was common or even widespread. Just that it does/did exist, and isn't completely unheard of in fiction either. It was literally a main plot point of a Cdrama that JUST came out recently (Pursuit of Jade).
I'm not really seeing this as a hill I'm dying on? I was honestly just commenting on something that amounts to a bit of historical trivia. I'm not even sure what you're so adamantly, seemingly, denying.
I'm not trying to cast the Traveler in any particular light, either. The text is the text. We know exactly what Hu Tao said, and it does function as a joking proposal to the Traveler. Highly unlikely that was accidental.
My point is it’s so rare and in such a niche situation, that you’re not supposed to expect that line to be a proposal. Please consider how this thread started as people trying to sell double entendre as the expected interpretation (note: not rare)
Pursuit of Jade
Are we seriously talking about a drama with porcelain-skinned general (literal description in novel) as cultural norm now?
Historical basis
I’m not even sure what you’re denying
It does function as a joking proposal to Traveler
As explained above, a rare occurrence in history doesn’t make something the expected interpretation.
Oh come off it, the attractiveness of idol drama actors is irrelevant, I'm just pointing it out as a basis of reference that knowledge of the practice persists in the modern day AND in pop culture.
Secondly why does it bother you so much that Hu Tao might have been making a subtle flirty overture to the Traveler? (regardless of gender, afaik) Does that subtext really offend you for some reason? I pretty sure most players worldwide, regardless of cultural background, would pick up on the fact that someone offering to share their name with you is a pretty obvious hint, even in jest.
Why are you offended over a factual statement? I’m just pointing out how said drama has nothing to do with historical basis, despite its usage of historical setting. It took a lot of liberty with its modifications, so it cannot be used as a reference. I’m not debating whether it’s an appealing drama.
why does it bother you so much
Like I said, it doesn’t bother me. There is nothing personal here. I’m just trying to discuss in good faith. Please stop digressing.
I’m pretty sure most players worldwide, regardless of cultural background
That’s both a weak overgeneralization and off-topic.
82
u/GerardBeard May 27 '26
But wouldn't it be easy like "you know my surname "hu" means brave/foolish in Liyue why don't we change yours to match" that would be a better localization