Japanese translation is a complex art that involves juggling Japanese script as well as the many cultural considerations. However, when it comes to translating anime and manga, there are even further complications that test even the most accomplished and experienced translator! In this blog, we’ll explore the intricacies of manga translation, and the essential skills needed to bring Japanese popular culture to individuals who want to read manga across the world.
Manga magazines and the importance of layout
One of the defining features of manga is the way it looks on the page. Japanese comics are no different from Western comics in that the visual depiction of the characters interacts with the text, either in speech bubbles or narration boxes. Sometimes, there is background text, too, which signals contextual information to the reader. As well as translating the content here, the Japanese translator also needs to ensure that the translated language fits within the spatial constraints on the page. This is unlike most other types of content translation, where the layout plays less of an integral part.
What’s more, manga isn’t simply a Japanese comic; most manga conform to a style developed in Japan in the late 19th century, and the form has a long history in earlier Japanese art. This means the form and the content are both crucial and need to be preserved in a translation.
Japanese translations expand in English
The challenge doesn’t end there: Japanese-to-English translations tend to be longer, due to several factors. Firstly, Japanese is a very compact language that can convey a lot of meaning with fewer characters compared to English. That’s because kanji can encapsulate entire words or ideas in a single character. Translated into English, one single character can require an entire sentence! This creates practical challenges when fitting the text within the limited space of a manga panel.
The next challenge lies in the translation of Japanese culture and context. Manga often incorporates Japanese cultural references that might need further explanation when translated into English. This leads us to our next point…
The importance of Japanese culture in manga translation
Whether it’s cherry blossoms or bento, Manga and anime are filled with Japanese cultural references that present the Japanese translator with a multitude of challenges – and that’s not even considering the complexities involved with translating Japanese script! Let’s take the Japanese notion of kawaii (“cute”), for example, which is at the heart of many manga and anime. However, this notion is not readily translated into other cultures as it embodies more than the superficial kind of “cute”. Instead, it’s more of a cultural expression of innocence and vulnerability that is celebrated in Japan. Japanese translators need to find creative ways to communicate these notions to a foreign audience, while still being faithful to the original content and its meaning.
Japanese society in manga
Many other basic elements of Japanese society infiltrate manga, too. Take Japanese food, which often appears in manga. Meals such as sushi, ramen, and bento boxes, are frequently consumed by characters in the cartoon but they are not merely sustenance; they also function as symbols of Japan’s cultural identity. Translators must decide whether to localize these references for international audiences (for example, by finding a food with equivalent connotations for an American audience, such as a burger) or keep them as they are, retaining the Japanese culture in the manga translation.
Manga storylines often reflect subtle facets of Japanese culture and society. Values such as respect for hierarchy, group harmony, or the importance of perseverance play a role in the stories, as do unspoken social dynamics. Readers familiar with long-running series, such as Dragon Ball, may eventually learn these hidden social nuances themselves, which may even be a part of their appeal. As they are so crucial to the Japanese culture in which manga and anime originate, a translator would be very unlikely to change any of these essential aspects. Instead, they may try to include subtle explanations if the context could be alienating for an English-speaking audience but still preserve the Japanese identity integral to these narratives.
Capital Linguists works with a highly experienced and accredited team of Japanese translators. Armed with the highest industry qualifications, our Japanese linguists are adept at juggling the many considerations at play when translating anima and manga. If you want to discuss our Japanese translation services further, we’d be delighted to hear from you. Reach out and one of our team members will respond in an instant!
