Double posting because this statement on translation is SO TRUE.

[barbosa2007]

For the people on my F-list who translate actively or do some sort of internal translation whenever you're watching a foreign show, here's what professional translators Ian MacDougall and David Nist had to say:

In translation, the destination language will always require more words than the source language

• This might be old news to professional

Comments

[clara_maria]

so true!

have fun with your read! nekobot is the best librarian a woman can wish for <3

[nekobot01]

So sweet! :D

I haven't had as much time to read as I want recently but I'm trying...

[barbosa2007]

Agreed! If nekobot had been my elementary school librarian, I would have stayed in the club. XD

[clara_maria]

yupp! maybe our school library wouldn't have been such a mess (the only good thing was, they didn't realize how much good stuff they were throwing out - half of my collection of poems is from there~)

[nekobot01]

If you want to create media, ingest media

Those planning to work in film need to watch heaps of films.

Those planning to write, be it scripts or subtitles, need to be constantly reading.

Sometimes I can't believe how few people pay attention to this rule!!!! I love writing about films, so I watch a lot of of them and (more importantly) READ criticism so I can figure out how people are writing about films and what I want to do differently.

You have to learn the rules before you can break them, you know?

And re: Yoroshiku example, it's so true!! I actually prefer when translators don't try to translate things like that directly and either keep it in with an explanitory note or (for a mass audience) just translate the sentiment. So a 失礼します becomes Hello/Good-bye/Pardon etc.

I hope you enjoy that book!

[barbosa2007]

...just translate the sentiment.

There are pros and cons where it comes to that, but it certainly makes for easier reading! Becky from Taijisubs is a master at dynamic translation (versus literal translation).

[nekobot01]

It all depends on your audience. For people like us, it's better to translate more literally because we're interested in the original language and culture but for mass audiences who aren't, translating the sentiment is less confusing and makes the work more engaging and less "foreign."

[mariam_5490]

Are you planning on writing a book?

[barbosa2007]

Oh no, of course not!

I've hit a writing block in terms of translating. Since, you know, translating is a form of creative writing.

So far I've been trying to improve by watching subbers whom I think are good (not just Arashi shows, but animes and movies subbed by professional subbers), but it's always helpful to have a few guidelines to work with, like this one.

[i_am_zan]

That looks like a lovely book indeed. I do wish you the very best, and will ask for a personalised autograph when the time comes. I had aspirations too once upon a time, but I let life get in the way, because it was what I wanted more. ^_

[barbosa2007]

I prefer non-fiction writers these days. Prose talks about writing and reading, which is an interesting topic to me. I just haven't read most of the stuff she's writing about.

I have nowhere in my home where I can hang posters, so there's no point in getting the book. XD

[barbosa2007]

Oh, hello! Just curious, how did you come to find this LJ? I'm glad you liked the book recommendation. Nekobot01 is our resident librarian so she has lots of good recs to offer.

[barbosa2007]

Yikes, I'm sorry to hear about people uploading your projects onto Dramacrazy.

I'm considering opening up membership applications via the referral method but since I'm the one who's processing the applications most of the time, it's really tiring to do it. Not to mention when we have to play detective whenever someone breaks a rule...

I don't mind the long comment! A lot of LJ users just add me as an LJ friend without commenting first, I find that way creepier.

What kind of shows do you sub?