#the TH sound isn't natural in my native language tho so i also call her 'Ati' in my head lmao

[ultramarine-spirit]

Athy's name across languages

Athy's name is a pretty important plot point in itself, carrying the weight of belonging to Obelia's next ruler and foreshadowing the truth about her reincarnation, so I was surprised to learn that it actually varies through translations!

She stays as Athanasia (Athy) in english, japanese (though they spell it as "Atti"), german, and all official translations as far as I know, except for the chinese ones.

Simplified chinese vs Traditional chinese. The simplified version reads: « Sia (The language here has the meaning of immortality). I, a disgraced princess, am called something so extravagant. » It doesn't have the same ring as "Athanasia", does it?

There's two chinese translations of WMMAP, and both change Athy's name.

Kuaikan Manhua's version (simplified chinese) calls her 希婭 (Sia) (given name) and 阿婭 (Aya) (nickname). Webtoon Taiwan's version (traditional chinese) on the other hand stays with 阿塔娜西亞 (Athanasia) for her given name, but uses 娜西 (Na Xi) as her nickname.

Simplified chinese translations shorten all names from korean webtoons, probably for the convenience of remembering them in an easier/more natural sounding way. For example 奧貝利亞 (or 奧維利亞) ("Obelia") becomes 奧亞 (Oya). Sadly, the meaning of "immortality" is lost here, as it makes no sense to read "Sia" and fully understand the name's importance (hence the note between parentheses).

...Kind of. What's interesting about this translation choice is that "Sia" actually does come from the same root as "Athanasia", making the translation somewhat accurate.

Αθανασία transliterated as "Athanasia" (which in turn derives from the male form Αθανάσιος, Athanasius or Athanasios) has a shortened version: Σία or Sia. And Νάνσυ or Nancy. So Kuaikan is using the linguistically correct nickname... as Athy's given name. Now, for any reader not well-versed in greek, the reference is still lost, and I'm pretty sure this was just a happy accident. Still, it's a cool coincidence!

#Athy's full name in simplified chinese is 'Sia de (or day/dai) Alger Oya' which sounds so different #calling her Sia as her nickname is more accurate than Athy and it is cute but i'm too attached to Athy #the TH sound isn't natural in my native language tho so i also call her 'Ati' in my head lmao #oh and actually could there be a connection between 'Νάνσυ' and 'Na Xi' ? #who made me a princess #athanasia de alger obelia #wmmap #athanasia #athy #suddenly became a princess one day #i suddenly became a princess #sbapod #sbap #wmmap meta