Question about Chinese endearments

POSTED BY: Ficbot
UPDATED: Sunday, June 13, 2004 06:05
VIEWED: 1723
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FICBOT

Sunday, June 13, 2004 5:22 AM

Hi everyone

I am new to Firefly and this site (although I have been active as a fic writer in the Buffy/Angel fandom) have am wanting to write fanfic for Firefly. I have a question about the Chinese endearments, we have seen "mei-mei" (I have seen half a dozen different spellings and punctuations for this) used on the show, and I have seen fics that use "xin gan" as well, both of which work for the characters and purpose I am thinking of. But some of the fan gloassaries also list "xiao mei" as an option, with the note that it is used for a blood relation (little sister) whereas "mei-mei" (little sister) can be used for a non-relation.

We have seen both Simon use "mei-mei" on the show to refer to River, but have we ever seen him use the other? Personally I like "mei-mei" better and am happy to use it, but it is more proper for a blood relation (brother) to use "xiao mei" instead for his sister? Would it be wrong if I ignored "xiao mei" altogether in favor of the other form?

Thanks for any help :-)

SHINY

Sunday, June 13, 2004 6:05 AM

"mei-mei" is fine, although to be honest, brothers and sisters are far more likely to call each other stuff like "ben dan" (dumb egg) and "sha gua" (lit. silly melon). ;)

"I left my heart in Serenity Valley"