FANDUBBING Documentary

[Hagaren Gao]

FANSUBBING Documentary

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUYlqLlbix0&feature=related

I found this while browsing some forums and thought it was pretty interesting. To be honest, I think it brings up some good points, but I certaintly don't agree with everything. Might make for a good discussion though (Or a big arguement, those are fun too), so I thought I would share.

(Note that this documentary is in five parts, all of which can be found in the Related Videos box to the right)

 

[Zelsius]

It's about Fansubbing, and it is ridiculous.

 

[digiboy123]

Yeah, I don't have much to say about the guy, except for what I said here: Just a small opinion

 

[onkeikun]

I do happen to agree with some of his points: not using Japanese honorifics (only when it is a non-Japanese setting), and not leaving in the simple Japanese words when they already have a perfectly legit English counterpart.

I don't see what the problem is with sharing background information on Japanese culture though. As a translator, I think that adding pertinent trivia of a scene will add to the enjoyment that the viewer has. (After all, you do want the English-speaking viewer to have the same know-how as the native Japanese, right? ;] )
With anime that is rich with Japanese culture (like Gintama ), you can't really localize without giving some further explanation sometimes.

Also because the internet is a huge place and there are many random anime uploaders in video sharing websites, I don't think his suggestion of a text attachment filled with notes is a good idea. What if 15% of a total anime-viewing population only saw their anime on Veoh? They wouldn't get to see the detailed translation notes. It'll be a discrimination!!!
This is why I think TL Notes on the video itself are useful.


The documentary actually left me feeling very amused though. Not irritated like some of the other fansub translators posting in Animesuki. Overall, I thought it was pretty well made.

 

[celestial_sacred]

What Onkeikun wrote is what I thought when I watched it. I agree too about screen cluttering. It'll be annoying if I have to keep pausing to look at all the words throughout the screen. I just love how he exaggerrated the subbing of LoTR and the one with a couple dancing. "YOU SHALL NOT PASS!!!" with flashy colours, extra large font size, and the spinning effect. XD Hilarious.

 

[Johnzaloog]

With digimon savers as my example, I think it wouldn't have been the same without Aniki, and when Piyomon shouted at masaru in 13, and he screamed "Where's my honorific?!" it would not have made sense without them, so I think some are okay.