Hazure Hantei kara Hajimatta Cheat Majutsushi Seikatsu - Vol. 2 Ch. 7.1

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Unlike the authors of the previous opinions here, I feel okay when the translator has a larger-than-usual whitelist of Japanese words he's willing to leave as they are (not translated) in the text.

We all know how it usually goes:

① Honorifics such as “-san” and “-kun” and “-sama”.

② Semi-honorifics such as “-senpai” or “-sensei” even when one of them becomes a separate word (an addressee, a word to name some person), like the capitalized “Senpai” in mirror moon's translation of “Tsukihime”:

s283-01.jpg


③ Memes or terms of Japanese origin such as “chuunibyou” or “denpa” or “dosanko” or “freeter” or “menhera” or “NEET” or “oshi” or “otaku” or “yandere”. (For example, in StoneScape's translation of “Otaku ni Yasashii Gal wa Inai!?” the Western word “fave” was used to translate “oshi” in the 47th chapter at first, but later the readers forced StoneScape to leave that word untranslated in the alternative version of that chapter.) Personally I even feel that a Japanese “gyaru” is not just a local version of a Western “gal” and that we should treat that as a loanword that changed its original meaning.

④ Specific expressions of politeness such as “itadakimasu” or “ojamashimasu” or “yoroshiku onegaishimasu”.

⑤ I am okay if the gender-neutral word “Maou” is used as the title of the King of Demons (or of their ruling Queen), especially if originally it's a plot device for the humanity's hero not to know whether a king or a queen is the final opponent.

On the other hand, the translator may fall in a trap when decides to use the word “demons” too soon to name the evil magical beings (originally “mamono”) because then the same word cannot be used on sentient magical beings (originally “majin” or “mazoku”), and if the word “devils” are used to name those ones, then the translator is baffled when finally some demonic evil beings (originally “akuma”) appear as a separate opponent.

I'd rather prefer the RPG tradition of using “monsters” / “demons” / “devils” for that progression, especially because it allows the name “the Demon World” for the realm of origin for the “demons” (originally “makai” for the “majin”/“mazoku”).

I haven't read the raws but I have a lingering suspicion that here the “the demon forest” should be “the forest of monsters” in that sense.
 
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jc9

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Translation should be done into target language. Not into a mix of target language and weeb gibberish. Translate into a version of language adults speak, not 14yo weebs.

① Honorifics such as “-san” and “-kun” and “-sama”.
Agree, as most of these are not possible to translate. Just translate stuff like -hime properly.
② Semi-honorifics such as “-senpai” or “-sensei” even when one of them becomes a separate word
Senpai i agree, especially as it's popular on it's own, not translating sensei is just laziness in most cases (school settings, where teacher is 100% applicable)

③ Memes or terms of Japanese origin such as “chuunibyou” or “denpa” or “dosanko” or “freeter” or “menhera” or “NEET” or “oshi” or “otaku” or “yandere”. (For example, in StoneScape's translation of “Otaku ni Yasashii Gal wa Inai!?” the Western word “fave” was used to translate “oshi” in the 47th chapter at first, but later the readers forced StoneScape to leave that word untranslated in the alternative version of that chapter.) Personally I even feel that a Japanese “gyaru” is not just a local version of a Western “gal” and that we should treat that as a loanword that changed its original meaning.
Generally agree, but take into account people might not be up to date with every obscure meme.

④ Specific expressions of politeness such as “itadakimasu” or “ojamashimasu” or “yoroshiku onegaishimasu”.
Itadakimasu i might agree, as often there's no comparanle word/saying in target language. Other 2 are 90% of the time perfectly translatable (even if you convey the message, not literal meaning).

⑤ I am okay if the gender-neutral word “Maou” is used as the title of the King of Demons (or of their ruling Queen), especially if originally it's a plot device for the humanity's hero not to know whether a king or a queen is the final opponent.
Just use demon king/demon lord/whatever. Maou is simply lazy. From what i've seen it's almost always hero being surprised the demon queen is a loli/sexy succubus anyway.

Exceptions imo apply to stuff heavy with JP meme culture/puns/generally very hard (or outright impossible) to translate without making it a complete mess. I'm tired of seeing oppais, himes, bentos, hentais, ganbattes and bunch of other stuff some translators decide to include.
Yes, no translation is 100% accurate. But leaving whole sentences in japanese isn't the way - you might as well learn the language instead.

Nothing will change anyway, it was the same 20 years ago, in 20 years we will be arguing the same points for nth time again
 

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