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queen_unicorn_rejectTranslation work
Today I read for 35:05. Three chapters left, 75% into the book. Thinking I'll just binge read the rest tomorrow.
So this Omori fan artist have been messaging me for a couple weeks now. They found me because a fan of theirs was also fan of my Lily of the Valley fanfic, and told them about me. We've been talking to each other about, among other things, translation. They've been translating their fan comics into English, to various effects.
They've had three translators so far. The first is an American college student they knew. This translator was very good, and I really enjoy the work they did. Unfortunately, they've had to leave because of strenuous circumstances. So now the artist have been relying on two translators. The second one is an Australian translator who is extremely liberal with their translations. I've been looking at their stuff and they don't just change the words in a dialogue line while keeping the intent; they straight up alter the meanings, or insert new ones.
Now, I'm a believer that liberal translation and localization is very necessary in translations. But I also think, if you are hired to translate something, you have a contractual obligation to properly convey the contractor's intent. And that is simply not what this translator does. It's almost like they often want to write their own comics. Now, I consider ALL translation to be a form of creative writing. It's just that they are really stretching the meanings out here.
The other translator is a supposedly "professional" Korean translator they found on "translator.co.kr". But this translator, while they directly translate the text word for word, also makes elementary grammar mistakes, like starting a sentence with a lowercase letter, or not using "a" even though it's referring to a singular object.
The thing is that when given the choice of a direct translation with awkward phrases and a well written translation which totally deviates from the original text, I would choose the awkward, direct translation, every time. At least that one actually conveys the story it was intended to tell. And I really, really do wanna emphasize that I'm typically the person DEFENDING localizations and liberal translations. I just think localizations are good when they ARE trying to preserve the original meanings. A localization should happen because a one-to-one cultural phrase is impossible to understand when translated directly.
Anyway. After some discussion, we've decided I would not just be a third party consultant, but a real, hired proofreader. I'm being paid 30,000 won for each comic episode I proofread, which is I guess basically $25. Meh, if it's like 1 or 2 hours of work, that's basically understandable. And I'm not actually translating. I'm basically just revising the really awkward phrases to be more natural.
That said though, it IS money coming in, and it's honest work! And honestly, this is the kinda work I wish I could be doing. I love translating and talking about translations with people. Maybe I can get some experience doing this and be able to do this more professionally in the future. I kinda wanna do that!
Bea's mother is a schoolteacher who wants me to teach Korean at her school while I'm staying at their place. I think that could be really fun too. Though, I have experience teaching English, but not Korean.... We will have to see how good I am at that.
Today I read for 35:05. Three chapters left, 75% into the book. Thinking I'll just binge read the rest tomorrow.
So this Omori fan artist have been messaging me for a couple weeks now. They found me because a fan of theirs was also fan of my Lily of the Valley fanfic, and told them about me. We've been talking to each other about, among other things, translation. They've been translating their fan comics into English, to various effects.
They've had three translators so far. The first is an American college student they knew. This translator was very good, and I really enjoy the work they did. Unfortunately, they've had to leave because of strenuous circumstances. So now the artist have been relying on two translators. The second one is an Australian translator who is extremely liberal with their translations. I've been looking at their stuff and they don't just change the words in a dialogue line while keeping the intent; they straight up alter the meanings, or insert new ones.
Now, I'm a believer that liberal translation and localization is very necessary in translations. But I also think, if you are hired to translate something, you have a contractual obligation to properly convey the contractor's intent. And that is simply not what this translator does. It's almost like they often want to write their own comics. Now, I consider ALL translation to be a form of creative writing. It's just that they are really stretching the meanings out here.
The other translator is a supposedly "professional" Korean translator they found on "translator.co.kr". But this translator, while they directly translate the text word for word, also makes elementary grammar mistakes, like starting a sentence with a lowercase letter, or not using "a" even though it's referring to a singular object.
The thing is that when given the choice of a direct translation with awkward phrases and a well written translation which totally deviates from the original text, I would choose the awkward, direct translation, every time. At least that one actually conveys the story it was intended to tell. And I really, really do wanna emphasize that I'm typically the person DEFENDING localizations and liberal translations. I just think localizations are good when they ARE trying to preserve the original meanings. A localization should happen because a one-to-one cultural phrase is impossible to understand when translated directly.
Anyway. After some discussion, we've decided I would not just be a third party consultant, but a real, hired proofreader. I'm being paid 30,000 won for each comic episode I proofread, which is I guess basically $25. Meh, if it's like 1 or 2 hours of work, that's basically understandable. And I'm not actually translating. I'm basically just revising the really awkward phrases to be more natural.
That said though, it IS money coming in, and it's honest work! And honestly, this is the kinda work I wish I could be doing. I love translating and talking about translations with people. Maybe I can get some experience doing this and be able to do this more professionally in the future. I kinda wanna do that!
Bea's mother is a schoolteacher who wants me to teach Korean at her school while I'm staying at their place. I think that could be really fun too. Though, I have experience teaching English, but not Korean.... We will have to see how good I am at that.
