I don't really read fan fiction, but I know if I did or I actually wrote it... I'd want the target audience to actually understand what is being written. Instead of going... huh?!? :p Anyway, fun guest post. ^_^
This was tons of fun. I love it when I can snag guest posters who are more than happy to have a little fun with these.
I agree with most of everything you've said here. The Japanese-in-between-the-English is horrid and absolutely no one talks like that, very true. I'm also very much of the opinion that "nakama" does deserve to get translated - it's just way too awkward otherwise.
I agree with most of your part 2, though I do see a few other instances where it's not horrible to throw in foreign words and phrases into writing. I'm definitely with you in the "foreign character" thing, and a lot of anime dubs include plenty of "native language" in their scripts (like Shampoo in "Ranma 1/2" and Asuka in "Evangelion). The same can be said for people speaking to the foreign-type character (I know I do this to people all the time).
The best example I can think of right now is a scene near the end of "Kingdom of Heaven" where Saladin (or his general) tells Balian "God be with you" in "English"; Balian then responds with "Wa `alaykum as-salām". So they use each other's respective languages in a neat little moment.
Actually, going back to that horrid pidgin mishmash... I can say that I do sometimes do this with my Chinese. Either I'll use English words where I can't think of the Chinese, or I'll use Chinese words to specifically refer to things. Though then again I suppose it's because I'll be saying it to people who know Chinese already, so hmm... I dunno, it all falls back to the "foreign character" thing, yeah.
Other than loan words, though, I think you've got this one pretty solid. Good stuff.
I loathe the ambiguity that comes with translating the word nakama... particularly since I'm so attached to the One Piece-driven weighty connotation. It's a matter of personal preference in my opinion. However, when people start dropping the foreign words without good reason, It becomes kinda irritating...
...like Spanish. Don't get me wrong, I see nothing bad from learning the language, but when the one brother begins to speak in Spanish for no apparent reason I get highly annoyed. We're a couple thousand miles from Mexico and don't have a drop of Hispanic blood in us, but because he took classes in high school it automatically makes him spout off sentences at random.
It's kinda like that, I guess. Besides, rabid fangirls seem to always need ways to tick off the rest of us. I liked this post!
Hehe..so that means I can use Portuguese words more?
'Cause you didn't specifically mentioned that language, you know....
Hehehe...I kid, of course. But yes, great subject you brought up and you did it with a nice touch.
I think I've never overused the japanese words before in any of my statements or even stories before (correct me if I'm wrong though) but I do find cute to say now and then Kawai or use the san, kun, sama when say somebody's name. Merely because I find it amusing and I think its such a polite way to address someone but that's just me.
I wonder though, if a person fully knows the language can she use it more often in her statements, you know like myself?
Now just for fun, the example you used above in my motherlanguage (Portuguese):
The teddy peluche was tão fofo! I just had to hug it! It made me a "Miau!" sound like a gato and I snuggled its smooth, preto fur.
Sabrina
Otaku Archangel | Posted 07/30/08 | Reply
I don't really read fan fiction, but I know if I did or I actually wrote it... I'd want the target audience to actually understand what is being written. Instead of going... huh?!? :p Anyway, fun guest post. ^_^
-Sabrina
SomeGuy
Canadian Liaison (Team) | Posted 07/29/08 | Reply
This was tons of fun. I love it when I can snag guest posters who are more than happy to have a little fun with these.
I agree with most of everything you've said here. The Japanese-in-between-the-English is horrid and absolutely no one talks like that, very true. I'm also very much of the opinion that "nakama" does deserve to get translated - it's just way too awkward otherwise.
I agree with most of your part 2, though I do see a few other instances where it's not horrible to throw in foreign words and phrases into writing. I'm definitely with you in the "foreign character" thing, and a lot of anime dubs include plenty of "native language" in their scripts (like Shampoo in "Ranma 1/2" and Asuka in "Evangelion). The same can be said for people speaking to the foreign-type character (I know I do this to people all the time).
The best example I can think of right now is a scene near the end of "Kingdom of Heaven" where Saladin (or his general) tells Balian "God be with you" in "English"; Balian then responds with "Wa `alaykum as-salām". So they use each other's respective languages in a neat little moment.
Actually, going back to that horrid pidgin mishmash... I can say that I do sometimes do this with my Chinese. Either I'll use English words where I can't think of the Chinese, or I'll use Chinese words to specifically refer to things. Though then again I suppose it's because I'll be saying it to people who know Chinese already, so hmm... I dunno, it all falls back to the "foreign character" thing, yeah.
Other than loan words, though, I think you've got this one pretty solid. Good stuff.
Nehszriah
Hits Self With Axe (Otaku Eternal) | Posted 07/29/08 | Reply
I loathe the ambiguity that comes with translating the word nakama... particularly since I'm so attached to the One Piece-driven weighty connotation. It's a matter of personal preference in my opinion. However, when people start dropping the foreign words without good reason, It becomes kinda irritating...
...like Spanish. Don't get me wrong, I see nothing bad from learning the language, but when the one brother begins to speak in Spanish for no apparent reason I get highly annoyed. We're a couple thousand miles from Mexico and don't have a drop of Hispanic blood in us, but because he took classes in high school it automatically makes him spout off sentences at random.
It's kinda like that, I guess. Besides, rabid fangirls seem to always need ways to tick off the rest of us. I liked this post!
Be true, be you and of course, be otaku.
Katana
Goggalor (Otaku Eternal) | Posted 07/29/08 | Reply
You win for referring to Yu-Gi-Oh Abridged, internet proverbs, and Mel Brooks. I couldn't ask for anything more in an article.
"In Kat's wor we trust."
ShadowLight
Otaku Eternal | Posted 07/29/08 | Reply
Hehe..so that means I can use Portuguese words more?
'Cause you didn't specifically mentioned that language, you know....
Hehehe...I kid, of course. But yes, great subject you brought up and you did it with a nice touch.
I think I've never overused the japanese words before in any of my statements or even stories before (correct me if I'm wrong though) but I do find cute to say now and then Kawai or use the san, kun, sama when say somebody's name. Merely because I find it amusing and I think its such a polite way to address someone but that's just me.
I wonder though, if a person fully knows the language can she use it more often in her statements, you know like myself?
Now just for fun, the example you used above in my motherlanguage (Portuguese):
The teddy peluche was tão fofo! I just had to hug it! It made me a "Miau!" sound like a gato and I snuggled its smooth, preto fur.
=P
The crazy bubbly shadow