[ShockerCon]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matrixbeast

I don't see the issue with using the character's name in place of "Sempai."
It seems like having a problem with subbers leaving out "-San" and etc.
It's a term that we don't have a direct English equivalent, HOWEVER, it's also directly referring to a person, so rather than leaving a word untranslated and flipping off viewers who don't speak Japanese, they used the closest approximation, which would be to use the character's name in place of it.

This.

Quote:

Originally Posted by advance

The "neither" option?

That's not really an option for someone who doesn't understand Japanese.

[Den-O]

Quote:

Originally Posted by advance

Your personal tastes are not translation. Sorry.

Translation is about narrowing the amount of interchangeable words to find the appropriate equivalent. This is why you can't use something so informal as an "equivalent" to a term that carries some respect. No "teach" or "prof" or "boi" could be used to show respect to an upperclassman. "Sempai" is a term used for upperclassman in schools, coworkers with more experience, etc. It also isn't too formal because there have been friends who are more experienced in some places who are called by such a term. "Sir" is not a direct equivalent. "Upperclassman" seems to be the closest one, but people aren't accustomed to hearing it as a title.

"Masato" never is a translation. It is a transliteration at most.

I wish this was facebook so that I could like what you just said about a thousand times.

[Switchblade]

Quote:

Originally Posted by advance

Your personal tastes are not translation. Sorry.

Translation is about narrowing the amount of interchangeable words to find the appropriate equivalent. This is why you can't use something so informal as an "equivalent" to a term that carries some respect. No "teach" or "prof" or "boi" could be used to show respect to an upperclassman. "Sempai" is a term used for upperclassman in schools, coworkers with more experience, etc. It also isn't too formal because there have been friends who are more experienced in some places who are called by such a term. "Sir" is not a direct equivalent. "Upperclassman" seems to be the closest one, but people aren't accustomed to hearing it as a title.

"Masato" never is a translation. It is a transliteration at most.

The problem is that "Sempai" is a Japanese word. The point of a translation is to replace the original language with the audience's native one. Leaving words in the original language is not translating. In your own words, "Sempai" never is a translation, either.

Basically this whole argument boils down to what you prefer: a translation that tries to literally translate everything word for word or a translation that tries to convey the exact meaning in the other language's phrasing. Neither one is technically wrong, but if given a choice I (and the professional translation industry as a whole) prefer the latter.

[advance]

The point of translation is to convey true meanings within the medium of another language. While a transliteration is not a translation, it has a very similar goal and together, translations and transliterations actually enable the understanding of cultural aspects, such as the use of the word "sempai".

The professional translation industry actually prefers the freedom to use transliterations. This is why/ you see "-san" and all sorts of other things out there. To completely remove a word's roots is to completely define it. To completely define it is not always a translation because words can carry multiple meanings which are defined within their contexts. To define it one way means that you cannot define it any other way, but there can be subtle nuances that are missed just because a person sticks to the first context and definition.

To use false substitutions is just wrong. A false translation is not a translation.

[Blade Raider]

Quote:

Originally Posted by advance

The point of translation is to convey true meanings within the medium of another language. While a transliteration is not a translation, it has a very similar goal and together, translations and transliterations actually enable the understanding of cultural aspects, such as the use of the word "sempai".

The professional translation industry actually prefers the freedom to use transliterations. This is why/ you see "-san" and all sorts of other things out there. To completely remove a word's roots is to completely define it. To completely define it is not always a translation because words can carry multiple meanings which are defined within their contexts. To define it one way means that you cannot define it any other way, but there can be subtle nuances that are missed just because a person sticks to the first context and definition.

To use false substitutions is just wrong. A false translation is not a translation.

From wiki:

Quote:

Originally Posted by wiki

"Transliteration is a subset of hermeneutics [the art and science of text interpretation]. It is a form of translation, and is the practice of converting a text from one script into another"

It is by definition a translation and refers more to text than spoken word. Sorry, but your arguement is invalid. Have a nice day

[ZeoRangerV]

Personally I'd prefer "sir" for sempai, but I'd still take just plain old "Masato" if it meant it didn't introduce a whole load of honourifics into the script.

On that note, I'm indifferent to OT's use of "Brotou" in OOO, but though using "Ankh sweetie" was perfect.

[Matrixbeast]

Quote:

Originally Posted by advance

To use false substitutions is just wrong. A false translation is not a translation.

By the very definition of translation, leaving in words like "Senpai, aniki, aibou, hikkikomori, -chan, -san, -dono, kouhai" etc isn't a translation either.

[Switchblade]

Having started watching Kamen Rider X with HK subs, it has really struck me that this is a pretty silly argument. We should all just be happy that we have fansubs out there nowadays that allow us to watch these shows and that don't look like this:

[ShockerCon]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Switchblade

Having started watching Kamen Rider X with HK subs, it has really struck me that this is a pretty silly argument. We should all just be happy that we have fansubs out there nowadays that allow us to watch these shows and that don't look like this:

Still makes more sense than Google Translate.

[Blade Raider]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Switchblade

Having started watching Kamen Rider X with HK subs, it has really struck me that this is a pretty silly argument. We should all just be happy that we have fansubs out there nowadays that allow us to watch these shows and that don't look like this:

It is silly, but debates between the best of the best at something will always arise within a fandom. It happens. Best to just have fun with it or try to ignore it.