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language and terms in manga


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BalmungOAS



Joined: 13 Apr 2004
Posts: 43
Location: KCMO
PostPosted: Tue May 25, 2004 8:33 pm Reply with quote
when i read manga, there are a lot of "language and terms" that are use like sometimes they throw in a couple of japanese word that i dont under stand (really, all i know is baka which was from marm. boy) and terms like os (from chobits) so... anyone that can fill me in with the language and terms would be really helpful in my manga reading.
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littlegreenwolf



Joined: 10 Aug 2002
Posts: 4796
Location: Seattle, WA
PostPosted: Tue May 25, 2004 8:42 pm Reply with quote
Can you put down some examples?
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BalmungOAS



Joined: 13 Apr 2004
Posts: 43
Location: KCMO
PostPosted: Tue May 25, 2004 8:44 pm Reply with quote
os...is a term, do they use that many terms to list a couple?
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Ramen



Joined: 15 Feb 2002
Posts: 346
Location: San Jose
PostPosted: Tue May 25, 2004 8:45 pm Reply with quote
I see this done on subtitled anime as well, usually with honorifics. It's like the production companies expects a base knowledge of Japanese if you are going to read this stuff. I've always thought it might confuse people who don't know about the language.

Anyway, can you give an example of what you saw? It would help if there was a word to translate.
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Ramen



Joined: 15 Feb 2002
Posts: 346
Location: San Jose
PostPosted: Tue May 25, 2004 8:47 pm Reply with quote
BalmungOAS wrote:
os...is a term, do they use that many terms to list a couple?

OS... from Chobits. You mean O.S. like in "Operating System?" That is not Japanese by origin. It's an English term.
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The Ramblin' Wreck



Joined: 07 Apr 2003
Posts: 924
Location: Teaching Robot Women How To Love
PostPosted: Tue May 25, 2004 9:00 pm Reply with quote
Well, Tokyopop has just left in "Hai!" instead of "Yes" in Mahoromatic.


I don't know if it means anything, but manga translators are now assuming that their readers will know some basic Japanese words.

I've seen Sempai, Onneichan/-san and Sensei left in with increasing frequency as well.
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darkhunter



Joined: 13 May 2004
Posts: 2992
Location: Los Angelas
PostPosted: Wed May 26, 2004 2:11 am Reply with quote
If you're unfamilair with a word, just do a google search. Most of the time, u will find what you're looking for.
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cookie
Former ANN Editor in Chief


Joined: 02 Jan 2002
Posts: 2460
Location: Do not contact me for support.
PostPosted: Wed May 26, 2004 5:43 am Reply with quote
The Ramblin' Wreck wrote:
I've seen Sempai, Onneichan/-san and Sensei left in with increasing frequency as well.


Just wait until it's no longer necessary to translate manga, it'll simply be romanized and shipped over here. ;)
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Godaistudios



Joined: 12 Jun 2003
Posts: 2075
Location: Albuquerque, NM (the land of entrapment)
PostPosted: Wed May 26, 2004 5:45 am Reply with quote
Cookie, you read my mind! Laughing

Still, it does surprise me to some end that they are starting to use more and more romanized Japanese words. I suppose I can't complain too much, having had enough exposure to anime that it doesn't detract at all from my enjoyment, but I wonder how much they are keeping the new fans in mind?
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Dilandau



Joined: 06 Jan 2004
Posts: 525
Location: Tea House
PostPosted: Wed May 26, 2004 7:30 am Reply with quote
True, it may not be too great for new-comers...but I rather like that they are adding a bit more japanese. Most of the stuff that they are 'not' translating are words that just don't translate well anyway. I hate it when I read "older Brother", "Upper classman", etc. That sounds just as foreign as onii-san or sempai to me.

They waste a whole page explaining how to properly read a manga, you would think they could fit in a dozen Japanese words and translation somewhere.
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RedvsBlue



Joined: 02 May 2004
Posts: 328
Location: snooping through another FF7 walkthrough
PostPosted: Wed May 26, 2004 8:15 am Reply with quote
I think manga would be more appealing to newcomers if they put a guide in the back of the book, much like what they have been doing with the Rurouni Kenshin manga.

Even though I thought I knew all about Kenshin's saying and whatnot, the guide truly does help out. I do hope to see more of it in upcoming volumes of RK, and in other manga series as well.
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Nani?



Joined: 20 Jul 2003
Posts: 632
PostPosted: Wed May 26, 2004 8:53 am Reply with quote
You know,

The terms seem to set a good atmosphere, don't seem to be obnoxious. Usaully they are terms that become self evident (older brother etc) after repitition.They also seem to convey the different "mind set" of the Japanese rather then the Americans.

Much like when you say "Comrade" you attomatically think of the old Soviet Union, after a time when you hear Sempai you begin to think Japanese schools or Dono, you think rank, usually assosiated with Samurai.
Having a glossery is nice, especially for beginers, but after a while, I at least usually don't need it unless your encounter some greatly unusual concept (to us) either historical, technical, or religous.
Overall, I think it would bug me more if they didn't leave the honorifics intact.
Besides, when I read a good story the enjoyment is enhanced by learning things. Take Blade of the Immortal, there's so much there, you go can't help but go wow .

All the best,

Nani?
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JackBassV



Joined: 12 May 2004
Posts: 241
Location: Coventry, England
PostPosted: Wed May 26, 2004 9:16 am Reply with quote
What you want is Excel Saga, Lone Wolf and Cub or Azumanga Daioh, all of which have translators notes in the back.

Those in Excel are among the best. Translations of jokes and sound-effects are done.

Coda
Castle in the Sky AniManga also has translations in the back.
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Zac
ANN Executive Editor


Joined: 05 Jan 2002
Posts: 7912
Location: Anime News Network Technodrome
PostPosted: Wed May 26, 2004 9:39 am Reply with quote
All of Del Ray's books, like Tsubasa, XXXHOLiC, Gundam Seed and Negima have extensive translation notes in the back. ADV's manga line also includes them.
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JackBassV



Joined: 12 May 2004
Posts: 241
Location: Coventry, England
PostPosted: Wed May 26, 2004 2:03 pm Reply with quote
Okay, this is slightly off-topic, but the Excel Saga anime (ADV) has Ad-Vid notes which explain some of the obscure, or did i really see that type stuff that are going on on the series.

A quick example - The High school that Excel attends is translated as Dog Meat High Laughing

The Manga has this stuff at the back.
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