Invis’ Translation Glossary (1?)

I often ask for feedback regarding my style and choice of translation in terms of style and inclusions to the posts, and since I’m very behind, I thought I’d give some insight on some things I typically do with blog post translations. For now here’s a couple of things real quick.

Note: This is for these Blog translations only, when doing “Official Statements” and “Subs” I run with different standards for various reasons.

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1. DokiDoki WakuWaku!
Typically you’ll notice in posts I leave both the translations and the wording together in a translation. Most people would probably call this bad translations on my part and in a professional setting this may be so but there is a point to this. If this were a video, I would probably not include this because you’d hear the words yourself, and if you’ve seen any translations I’ve done of official statements I avoid this in general unless it’s a title for a show.

The reason you see this is for those curious about the onomatopoeia style Japanese hold for their words, especially with it’s frequent use in titles, as well as part of the normalcy I had occurred in my own upbringing.

If it hasn’t been made clear, I live in Hawaii and the use of this style of talking was part of my upbringing. Though not all Japanese words you would find it normal in the places I lived to hear people say things like, “This place is all guchagucha,” and find it natural. This might seem out of place outside of Hawaii, and if enough people think it is, I’m fine excluding it. I noticed that childrens media come to making up sounds and words for things too, so I figured it’d be equivalent as long as I translate the sounds as well (which I do).

How to spot the translations: Usually before or after the use of the Onomatopoeia.
What the main characteristic is: Sound words usually in doubles or conjoined with camel-type (ConjoinedCaptialization)

Examples:
DokiWaku Hearting pounding excitement
It was slippery TsuruTsuru

2. Gochisousama Deshita vs. Otsukare
I’m constantly on the ropes with how to handle these kinds of words, and in all the time I’ve been doing blog translations I’ve wavered a lot on what I do.

Right now, certain terms which have clear equivalents are given them (Ohayo = Mornin’ being a prime example). Recently I’ve shifted Otsukare(sama Deshita) into being Good Work Everyone, or Job Well Done Everyone. General this is an acceptable equivalent and is often done in real life after work is over.

Gochisousama Deshita and Itadakimasu on the otherhand does not necessarily have a good equivalent. Sure people have given the “Thanks for the food” expression before, but the commonality of saying that at the beginning and end of every meal in English is rare (again from my personal experience). I’ve also mentioned it before but if it’s okay for a person to use French to say “Bon Apetite” then this should be okay too.

In contrast I shifted Yoroshiku Onegaishimasu recently as well into being whatever equivalent fits the line, making it harder to tell when they say it (unless you read Japanese) but makes it sound more natural. This was done because of the increased use of it in various situations where a translation was needed, or else it would sound confusing. All translations follow the cultural meaning of the words though, so it’s still translations.

How to spot translations: Key phrases usually be capitalized
What is main characteristics: They are set translations for phrases which don’t always have straight “translated” equivalents but more “cultural” equivalents

Examples:
G’night (G’nite)
Good Work Everyone

3. Happy Birthday
An ongoing issue exists with the concept of Happy Birthday (Otanjoubi Omedetou) and the shorting to just Omedetou. As of now I translate just Omedetou, which is normally translated as congratulations, when it is clearly a shortening of Otanjoubi Omedetou as just “happy birthday” as opposed to “Happy Birthday” This is one major exception as of now.

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So there’s a couple of starters, if you have better ideas for how to handle issues let me know! I also want to some day soon talk about what I feel is the differences in “translations” and styles. But I want to know what you guys think about these too. And what you all prefer and why, so comments, questions, and the like in the comments and I can address them in the future… even make a feature out of this for real!

Till then and hopefully with more up to date, ja ne~

Posted in Features.

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