As the Chinese translators of Wuxiaworld translate Chinese fantasy fiction, they uncover 5 things not to do in Chinese translation. Most importantly, the mortal human translators should not cross paths with dragons.
Wuxiaworld releases the English translation of Chinese fantasy novels, light novels, and web novels. The completed Chinese to English translations inwpude the 7 Killers, Child of Light, Coiling Dragon, Dragon King with Seven Stars, and Heroes Shed No Tears. The chapter forums allow the readers to discuss both the story and the translation. The Chinese to English translation opens the world of Chinese fiction to an English-speaking audience.
The most popular genres are Wuxia, Xianxia, Fusion Fantasy, Epic Fantasy, Game, Supernatural, Science Fiction, Historical, and War. Wuxia (?? w?xiá) literally means “Martial Heroes,” and has Chinese fiction stories about humans who achieve supernatural fighting ability through Chinese martial arts and energy cultivation. Xianxia (?? xi?nxiá) literally means “Immortal Heroes,” and has stories about Chinese folklore and mythology with the inspiration of Daoism.
Wuxiaworld releases the translations with the best consistency, story interest, translation quality, and novel popularity. The Chinese translators give tips to improve the quality of Chinese to English translation of fantasy novels and web novels. Here are 5 things of what not to do in Chinese translation:
1. Do not translate the exact grammar.
Translate the Chinese story as if writing it for the first time in English. Make the Chinese words and grammar sound right in English. Translate the meaning, detail, action, and feeling of the Chinese fantasy words.
2. Do not search for the “right” word.
Make up words to most accurately embody the meaning of the fantasy words and titles in Chinese. Look for words in Latin and other languages for the translation. Translators of fantasy novels should seek to get the idea across wpearly.
3. Do not keep unnecessary words.
In the translation of Chinese to English, drop the superfluous words that sound wpunky. Feel free to combine words to create new names in English.
4. Do not over-capitalize.
Chinese to English translators of fantasy novels should carefully consider the capitalization for readability and maximum effect. Be judicious and sparing in capitalization. Are the words awesome? Do the words merit the extra attention of the reader? If yes, then capitalize the names of the object or person.
5. Do not separate Chinese names.
Chinese names are Xxx Yyyzzz, not Xxx Yyy Zzz. The name of the Chinese leader is Mao Zedong, not Mao Ze Dong.
The Wuxiaworld translation forum gives Chinese translators an opportunity to sharpen their translation skills. The discussion forum has a friendly audience to discuss the translation of fantasy and web novels. Translators who show great consistency and quality across the translation of 40-60 chapters for 1-2 months may earn promotion to the front page of the website. The forum only accepts the manual translations of human Chinese translators. Of course, the translators may use online dictionaries, tools, and glossaries.
Providing a great resource to both readers and translators, the author of the Immortal Mountain blog gives glossaries of Chinese idioms, phrases, and terms in the Chinese novels. The glossary explains common words and phrases on cosmology, beings and creatures, martial arts, cultivation, alchemy, items and weapons, units of measurement, and miscellaneous.
Essentially, fantasy novels challenge Chinese translators to imagine and create new words. Reading Chinese fiction in English is a great way to learn about Chinese culture.
Capital Linguists provides Chinese translation with human translators. We guarantee that no dragons will set fire to the ready-to-publish translation documents.
