Feb 1, 2015 14:40
9 yrs ago
Chinese term
情不自禁
Chinese to English
Law/Patents
Medical: Health Care
A message worker with unrevealed past history of mental illness was sued for sexual assault. When asked why he did what he was accused of, "情不自禁' was said to be the reason for a certain hand touching of private area of the client, in a message booth.
He had previously also stated that a voice told him to take good care of the client.
What is your best English translation for "情不自禁" in this situation?
He had previously also stated that a voice told him to take good care of the client.
What is your best English translation for "情不自禁" in this situation?
Proposed translations
(English)
Proposed translations
6 mins
Selected
Losing self control/can't help himself
(Medium to high confidence level) 'losing/lost self control' in written form or 'can't help himself' in colloquial expression.
Any other suggestions?
Any other suggestions?
Note from asker:
| A good answer. Thanks. |
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "Thanks for your answer."
+1
27 mins
FYI
uncontrollable/ uncontainable/ unrestrainable/ impulsive
Note from asker:
| The impulsive part certainly is relevant mental issue here. Thanks for the input. |
2 hrs
emotionally triggered and unleashed
IMO
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Note added at 2 hrs (2015-02-01 16:47:35 GMT)
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triggered and unleashed by the emotion
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Note added at 2 hrs (2015-02-01 16:47:35 GMT)
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triggered and unleashed by the emotion
Note from asker:
| Well said. This behavior is most certainly emotion driven. |
1 day 6 hrs
unable to restrain emotions
unable to restrain emotions
Example sentence:
情不自禁地流下泪来
cannot refrain from tears
Note from asker:
| Appreciate your example. |
1 day 13 hrs
Couldn't help myself/couldn't stop myself/just had the urge...
The discussion of the technical terms "impulse" and "compulsion" is very interesting and relevant BUT this are the words of a non-professional, so technical definitions are not what informs his speech. What you're looking for is a colloquial term which captures the feeling involved. I suggest one of the three above.
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Note added at 2 days7 hrs (2015-02-03 22:25:14 GMT)
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Not sure I understand. Certainly mental health concepts are relevant, but the Chinese does not use a technical term, so a *translation* should not use a technical term. You might *explain* this phrase using a technical term.
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Note added at 2 days7 hrs (2015-02-03 22:25:14 GMT)
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Not sure I understand. Certainly mental health concepts are relevant, but the Chinese does not use a technical term, so a *translation* should not use a technical term. You might *explain* this phrase using a technical term.
Note from asker:
| Defense team is looking for ways from mental health angle to defend him. Therefore, mental health field does matter in this case. |
Discussion
"Impulsive behaviors usually provide the person with some sort of pleasurable sensation and are used to cope with stress or tension."http://www.wisegeekhealth.com/what-is-the-difference-between...
Terry＆Tallon（2004）認為這二種類型的特徵區分為：固著型乃固執、堅持、持續不斷、情不自禁的對兒童產生吸引力；而退縮型之傾向乃經由外在壓力而導致犯罪情境的發生。
http://www.ccunix.ccu.edu.tw/~alumnicrm/tatdvso/web/SO/SO-ty...
Refer to the definition of "fixated offender" in Table 2.
http://zh.scribd.com/doc/163987509/Sex-Offender-Typologies#s...
"...The fixated offender has a persistent, continual and compulsive attraction to children."
Compulsion: a strong, usually irresistible impulse to perform an act, especially one that is irrational or contrary to one's will.
Also, "impulsive" can also be used.