Seeking better translation for Shenzhou

WHAT'S NEW Robert L. Park Friday, 26 Nov 99 Washington, DC


2. SPACE MYSTERY: CHINA PREPARES TO PUT HUMANS IN SPACE. China announced on Sunday that it had successfully tested a spacecraft
capable of carrying humans into space. Looking rather like the Mercury capsule that carried John Glenn into space 37 years ago,
the Shenzhou was launched atop a Long March rocket, the workhorse
of China's space program. In news stories, Shenzhou was variously translated as "mystery vessel" (Wall Street Journal), "magic vessel" (New York Times), and "God ship" (Reuters). To resolve this important matter WN contacted the Chinese Embassy. We were referred to the Cultural Officer. He explained that "shenzhou" means "beautiful land." Told of the other meanings, he insisted it's "land"--not "vessel"--but agreed that mysterious
may be better than beautiful. The mystery is why China, with a profitable launch industry, would be so eager to wade into the swamp of human space flight. The most hours in space have been logged by the Russians--and we can see how much it's done for them. If we want to level the playing field, perhaps we could supply China with plans for the space station. It's only fair.

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• 这个中国使馆文化处也太孤陋寡闻了，把“神舟”误解成了“神州” - Magic Vessel 19991125110656
  • How to translate "表面上看" into English? - 有人问 19991130094647
    • Ostensibly - 古月 19991130094750
    • 用个小词 Seemingly. - 川人 19991130094855
      • 要按上文下理判断如何用。 - 古月 19991130095040

这个中国使馆文化处也太孤陋寡闻了，把“神舟”误解成了“神州”

How to translate "表面上看" into English?

Ostensibly

用个小词 Seemingly.

要按上文下理判断如何用。