Someone explain this to me, please.
When I was in Vancouver for the Olympics, I saw the Chinese New Year parade. It was a wonderful thing and I enjoyed reliving memories of when I was young and participating in local small-town parades. Then confusion descended upon me. Every other group had a banner saying "So-N-So Benevolent Society." So I asked a friend who is Chinese-American, but more American than Chinese, why the words "Benevolent Society" were in the banners and group names. He made some half-crack about it being better than being a Martial Society and then admitted he had no clue.
Today, I am reminded of this when I see this news article about the latest school shootings in China at a kindergarten school that literally has the word "Experimental" in its English-translated name.
Is there anyone out there that reads this blog that knows the history, tradition, or meaning behind these odd names? Is it just bad translation or is there weight behind them?
I’m genuinely curious, so any responses would be greatly appreciated.
