Subbers becoming weeaboo-ish?

Its a weird thing starting up where subbers of Japanese shows like to leave in words and names. I have no knowledge of the japanese language or how it works so you can see how its a problem for people like me reading these kinds of subs. Why do they do these kinds of things. Can someone explain this?

becoming?

Because some things like honorifics are an important part of social interactions?

Though when it's stuff unrelated to that, I can't argue with you.

But honorifics are only kept when someone is subbing a JAPANESE show. Japanese isnt the only language with honorifics but only subs japanese shows keep them.

Can't comment on that. Perhaps they should be kept in other languages.

Its not that hard keep honorifics and still show relationships.

There are a couple of nuances to Japanese honorifics that just doesn't translate well, same as any language. But for the most part I agree, if there is a perfectly fine translation for a phrase then use it.

Honorifics should be avoided in translations of more Western-themed series (FMA, Hellsing, Trigun) because they're obviously out of place in the setting. In more Japanese-inspired series, they are integral to communication and culture and are a must.

That reminds me of Gunslinger Girl fanfiction, I once read, where they used Japanese honorifics.

It was... weird.

This reminds me of a previous thread about subbing that peeves people....

My only opinions...

• if there is a perfect equivalent of a japanese word in the language you're translating to, USE IT

• keep honourifics. Even in western themed works. Why? Because if the series is comedic in any way, there is a good chance that they'll eventually do a gag or two that makes use of honourifics. Imagine being the translator of a series that runs into one of those situations.

Honorifics, I can understand, some of them do represent a certain social interaction that is hard to represent otherwise, bit I am absolutely flabbergasted when some subbers don't translate common anime phrases like "Urusai". There is really no justification for that.

edited 21st Jun '11 12:54:50 PM by eX

But how do you handle series like One Piece and Fairy Tail that have Western-themed settings but are full of random Japanese cultural elements?

I was just about to post something about how this really isn't that much of a problem, really.

And then I read this page and felt like hitting whoever is responsible.

I'm saying recent subbers have become too lazy to care or think straight. How are honourifics that hard to translate into? Like Mr, or Ms, or Lord / Lady, or even Sir xxxname. It's not hard!

It's still not the same...and like I said, some series will make jokes that makes use of the honorifics once or twice if it's comedy.

Plus, how often do you see teenagers use Mr. or Ms.? Or refer to anyone as Lord/Lady?

edited 21st Jun '11 3:36:22 PM by Signed

I prefer keeping the honorifics in most things. I will be fine with a total lack or a translation of the things. So long as you don't do what the Azumanga Daioh dub did. Consistency. Have consistency. Don't go "Ok. All these honorifics up to and including sempai? TRANSLATED. -chan? WE'RE LEAVING THAT IN, BABY,".

When do you see teenagers decapitating demons? anyway I see it pretty often...

edited 21st Jun '11 3:44:54 PM by jayday12345678910

^^ I don't get it...what's the dub like?

^ pssh...I just beat a pit fiend to death with it's own eyeballs before drawing dicks on it's face...WITH IT'S BLOOD!

edited 21st Jun '11 3:48:16 PM by Signed

It translated all the honorifics. Save -chan. This lack of consistency bothered me.

...why'd they leave out -chan?

Tv-Nihon is probably the worst offenders when it comes to translating.For some reason they decided that it was a good thing to leave foods untranslated or to explain jokes that could have easily made sense when translated. They should stop focusing on effects and start translating.

Haven't seen the Azumanga Daioh dub myself, but I guess it's because -chan doesn't have a decent translation to English. You could translate it by making everyone refer to each other with nicknames, but that's hard because you'd have to make the nickname fit the lip flaps, as well as the fact that the way we nickname-ify names in English doesn't mesh that well with Japanese names.

Likely because of what Tumbril just said. It bothers me though. I've grown used to it and accept it with that one series. Elsewhere I will kill you dead for it. Not as bad as I will if you can't decide if you want to use Sanskrit or Pali transliterations in THE SAME SENTENCE though.

edited 21st Jun '11 4:10:36 PM by Aondeug

HA HA HA—No.

Not by far.

There are many, many foreign characters, both in foreign works, and as foreigners of english works, whose honorifics are expected to be kept as they are. Monsieur Verdoux, or Monsieur Poirot comes to mind, for example. Every woman in an italian setting gets addressed as a signora or signorina, all german characters are Herr, and in Japanese stories, even outside of otakudom, at least -San and -Sensei are well known in the Lowest Common Denominator, and get used to emphasize the setting's style. (for example the latter is very common for martial arts)

Even with Real Life people, you are probably more likely to hear about Signor Pavarotti, or Frau Merkel, than Mr. Pavarotti or Mrs. Merkel.

I'm putting in a vote for those who want to leave the honourifics in. There really is no easy translation into English that captures the nuances of most honourifics. ("Senpai", for one, is something that has a precise meaning but no decent English equivalent. The nuances associated with "san", "kun" and so on are also hard to get across.)