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Mistranslation for "AIR" Articles




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Behir



Joined: 10 Nov 2008
Posts: 6
PostPosted: Fri Feb 13, 2009 2:44 am Reply with quote
This is in regard to the line 'Opening Theme: "Tori no Uta (鳥の詩; Bird's Poem)" by Lia' in the "AIR", "AIR Movie" and "AIR in Summer" articles of the Encyclopedia.

I do not how you translated "Tori no Uta", true as it is that "uta" means song or poem but if you use any translation service or in any Japanese dictionary, you will notice that the character '詩' translates as "shi", not in any way "uta". So the title actually reads "Tori no Shi", doesn't it?
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dormcat
Encyclopedia Editor


Joined: 08 Dec 2003
Posts: 9902
Location: New Taipei City, Taiwan, ROC
PostPosted: Fri Feb 13, 2009 3:06 am Reply with quote
Behir wrote:
I do not how you translated "Tori no Uta", true as it is that "uta" means song or poem but if you use any translation service or in any Japanese dictionary, you will notice that the character '詩' translates as "shi", not in any way "uta". So the title actually reads "Tori no Shi", doesn't it?

First, "uta" is a valid pronunciation of 詩. Looks like you've never tried Japanese IME yourself:



Second, it is a well-known song in anime communities, and various sources have already indicated its correct spelling as とりのうた:
Wikipedia
Hatena Keyword
Keyroom

Third, the author can name it as s/he likes, ignoring normal spelling methods. For example, the last four kanji characters in とある魔術の禁書目録 should NOT be transliterated as "kinsho mokuroku" and should simply use one word "Index" instead, for the author was referring to Index Librorum Prohibitorum.
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Behir



Joined: 10 Nov 2008
Posts: 6
PostPosted: Fri Feb 13, 2009 3:53 am Reply with quote
I do not appreciate being badgered. Please note that references such as Wikipedia are written by community members and can not be considered valid unless it is proven that its source is correct. I do not want to hear "they wouldn't have it there if it weren't valid" out of response, because you will be surprised with accurate anything on Wikipedia is, considering where they get such information from. However, considering the other references are written by the Japanese, I can accept that. I wanted to understand for myself, so I'm satisfied. Thanks...

P.S.: You can't write anything you want and call it 'valid'; it doesn't work that way. Sorry...
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dormcat
Encyclopedia Editor


Joined: 08 Dec 2003
Posts: 9902
Location: New Taipei City, Taiwan, ROC
PostPosted: Fri Feb 13, 2009 4:17 am Reply with quote
How "authoritative" you want? While I don't have a direct contact, I do know a few people who can pass me to Jun Maeda and Shinji Orito, but it would be a very big personal favor and I will be the one paying the debt. I'm not going to do that just because a random forum user (and not even an active one) claiming the sources aren't good enough.

And stop teaching me whether Wikipedia or any other source is trustworthy enough or not.
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Behir



Joined: 10 Nov 2008
Posts: 6
PostPosted: Fri Feb 13, 2009 4:33 am Reply with quote
Well, I apologize for seeming "authorative"; however, I only expected a straight answer, which I did not get, aside from that overexaggerated reply. I also got carried away though.

If you do not have more tolerance, please do not even try giving me advise like that.
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dormcat
Encyclopedia Editor


Joined: 08 Dec 2003
Posts: 9902
Location: New Taipei City, Taiwan, ROC
PostPosted: Fri Feb 13, 2009 5:23 am Reply with quote
Not targeting at you personally, but I had helped gathering information at this side of the Pacific more than three years ago when Tori no Uta was plagiarized, as well as the follow-up report. Even with the news on the front page of ANN, many fans still call it "Tori no Shi," despite of repeated corrections. Those and other similar "errors" really wear me down.

Even if I went through all the troubles and obtained an official romanization or whatnot, 1) the creator(s) and respective company representatives would think me unprofessional, creating a big fuss just because of a random netizen; 2) some anal "fans" could still argue the authenticity of my forwarded message(s), demanding nothing less than a video recording of the original creator making a speech for it.

Would you go that far if we switch places?
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Behir



Joined: 10 Nov 2008
Posts: 6
PostPosted: Fri Feb 13, 2009 6:22 am Reply with quote
Guess I'm just another one-in-a-million... I do understand how you mean and I empathize. It takes much work to get this kind of information these days and it is bothering when it goes unappreciated (personal matter there that I can relate to). Anyway, "Tori no Uta" did look and sound better from the start, but I wasn't absolutely sure. BTW, in response to a previous quotation, I actually have done some scriptwriting in Japanese (nothing professional mind you), but I tend to be a perfectionist when push comes to shove, you see.

In all cases, please accept my thanks and appreciation for the help.

[CLOSE THREAD]
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