If we do not understand the conversation as presented we must treat all translations with a pinch of salt and keep an open mind.
Frequently on this blog, I have bemoaned the quality of translations when it comes to transposing Wing Chun’s logic from Chinese into English, my teacher Jim Fung often remarked that it was not possible to be accurate in this translation, and he spoke excellent English.
I have experienced some seminars, especially with C.S.T. where the translation was so bad it was hard to reconcile the words with the actions of C.S.T.
What is really worrying is that I know people that use these dreadful translations as the basis of their understanding.
If we do not understand the conversation as presented we must treat all translations with a pinch of salt and keep an open mind.
I recently was listening to a Vlog from Hendrik Santo, a Wing Chun Master and Historian, I think he is Malaysian Chinese based in the U.S.A. but I could be wrong.
If you are unfamiliar with Hendrik he is a somewhat controversial character in the Wing Chun community with opinions differing from being the worlds most knowledgeable Master to being a complete fraud.
You gotta love Youtube and the people that populate it.
I do not align with a lot of the things he says but I do think he is worth giving ear time to every now and then.
I have been aware of Hendrik for many years and a few years back purchased one of his books, Wing Chun Art and Science, which I found particularly empty, vague and self-repeating, but that could have just been me.
However sometimes his videos are really interesting and open up room for some explorative thinking, one recently he was mentioning Chinese language usage in China pre-1900 and post-1900 and the difference between Cantonese and Fukienese it was intriguing, to say the least.
Especially the first 10 minutes, where he is discussing Tarn Sau and Huen Sau.
Check it out HERE it could change the way you think.
TRAIN YOUR WEAKNESS.
WORK TO YOUR STRENGTH.
Wing Chun Sydney, Australia 