...as this is a translation blog, I found this article by Matt Thorn to be very enlightening:
http://matt-thorn.com/wordpress/?p=407
It addresses issues in translation of manga mainly but also about translation in general. The comments are interesting too.
As an amateur translator (and I would be the first to say it) I worry about the adequacy of my translations. There are sections that are clumsy, words which might sound unnatural and grammar which is...well, all over the place.
While I've been concentrating on getting the translation of Maaya's words and intentions 'right', I've sacrificed the English to my own impatience. When I finish a translation I press the 'submit' button on this blog as soon as possible, barely skimming the paragraphs for glaring errors.
This article has really inspired me to step up my game. It's a matter of personal pride.
Tuesday, 12 January 2010
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
1 comments:
Urgh, I thought you are already clear on this.. Translations of another language other than your own cultural language, will be a mix of both cultures. In other words, if you are French, and translating Japanese, it will be Fre-panese XD haha, I'm joking.
A professor of mine told me, that to completely translate one person, say Maaya originate from somewhere in Japan, say 'Okinawa', and she has went places such as in England, here and there, traveling to the pyramids.. you must at least try to understand her roots culture in Okinawa, Japan (Sociologically) by either reading wikipedia nor looking at pictures, reading literature from that Eastern country, understanding their cultures during 80's and so forth. She is an Anime person, so watching the same Anime as she does also helps, that's what I've been doing all this time.
Maybe at first we think we are imitating her, but trust me, you can not leave your roots, because your parents have gave you that, on a statistical correctness, a 99.9% is considered maximum of what the actual meanings maybe from, considering that you are the same sex of the person whom you are translating with.
I'm a guy.. and I can never understand a girl, however I may see her from a different perspective that girls can never ever see.
Doing this as a personal hobby, but if you are going professional, visit her home country in Japan, stay there for a few years or so. Things may change, there are many theories about pure Japanese people, some that you may be interested with. So much like any other Asian countries, including mine.
Post a Comment