Ruri Dragon - Ch. 12 - Making Something Fun for Everyone

[Mithgol]

I am not seeing anything between the third and the tenth chapter.

Is that because they're no longer free on MangaPlus or something?

Do all our comments here also get to disappear eventually along with the 12th chapter?

 

[BuyVelomobiles]

Basically, as a teenager, she speaks with slang teenagers use these days and that's the same in Japanese so basically the translation uses modern slangs in English to emulate that feeling, but certain boomer haaaaaates that, because he can't relate, maybe he wants her to talk like a teenager from 10 or 20 years ago.

Or perhaps they want all the japanese memes and slangs untranslated and the corners of the pages filled with notes + 2 extra credit pages explaining the source and cultural origins of the trendy words, memes and abbreviations.

Or perhaps they want a complete neutral translation, similar to what google translate would give you so older people won't feel out of place, because as you know, manga is only read by people above the age of 30

Or perhaps that part where the guy writing this is adding slang, and boomer memes where there aren't any. cough cough


Either way, it looks like this really drew in the Funimation fans.

 

[WaffleIroner]

Ugh! These teenagers with their slang! In my day, when a hip posse of young things went groovin round painting the town red, they did it with respect for the english language!

 

[ILOVECODY]

Loving how this conflict is being handle so far. It's realistic not everyone is going to like you. Even for potentially nonsensical reasons you don't understand.

 

[mmosimca]

Either way, it looks like this really drew in the Funimation fans.

What are these weird side snipes at the end of your posts even about? Is this something else you're angsty over?

This bit feels like the equivalent of busting into the nearest book club screaming "Xbox sucks!" and then running out. Maybe go complain on anime forums about it?

As for the quality of the translation, it seems great given that I am paying $0 for it. Though I've read and enjoyed MTLs that have passed through about 6 intermediate languages first while being typeset by somebody whose entire graphics editing experience consists only of MS Paint. These are the kind of dirt-poor expectations you need to enjoy obscure manga, where there's about 1 person interested in translating it every 5 years and you just have to hope at least they do a decent amount of chapters before RL pulls them away.

 

[JustSomeAlien]

Maeda ain’t wrong about that. Ruri don’t know the names of the people in her class, and keeps getting Maeda’s name wrong. Only reason Ruri has started becoming closer to others is because of her new horns and the mess she does with fireballs and lightning.

But here’s the thing, who the fuck does know everyone’s name in their class??? I sure as hell didn’t, I only knew the name of the my friend(s).

 

[Lustrist]

its prob related to kaneo. im holdin out hope for ueda

 

[Wildtale]

This series has some loser giving the dialogue the old Crunchyroll treatment. I've been complaining about it for ages now.

I've not been on the manga forum scene for very long - do you mean that they are changing the original meaning of the conversationsj/context, or do you mean that they are translating the terminology (like what they do with Kaiju 8-gou where they call the "kaiju" "monsters" instead)?

Basically, as a teenager, she speaks with slang teenagers use these days and that's the same in Japanese so basically the translation uses modern slangs in English to emulate that feeling, but certain boomer haaaaaates that, because he can't relate, maybe he wants her to talk like a teenager from 10 or 20 years ago.

Or perhaps they want all the japanese memes and slangs untranslated and the corners of the pages filled with notes + 2 extra credit pages explaining the source and cultural origins of the trendy words, memes and abbreviations.

Or perhaps they want a complete neutral translation, similar to what google translate would give you so older people won't feel out of place, because as you know, manga is only read by people above the age of 30

Umm... Sorry, bean, your sarcasm is so thick I'm a little lost trying to understand, but it seems like you're okay with the localization practices being used.

I was more concerned with whether or not the context was changed in translation, as I have seen that happen before, but otherwise I'm okay with the translations provided. Personally, I really like it when terminology we don't have English words for is kept as romanji with explanations later. Many times I've learned new snippets of Japanese culture that end up useful down the line for understanding later media.

But hey, that's just me.

 

[precurejunkie]

I'm in my 50s and I didn't even notice there was any weird slang in there until I saw people point it out in this thread. But then, I'm involved in a few communities where I'm regularly hanging out with teenagers on Discord so I'm used to people who actually talk that way. Didn't seem weird to me at all.

 

[BuyVelomobiles]

What are these weird side snipes at the end of your posts even about? Is this something else you're angsty over?

I don't know if you noticed, but this started because some other guy decided to take pot shots at me when I was talking to someone else. The least he can expect is return fire. It's weirder that you question the snipe.

This bit feels like the equivalent of busting into the nearest book club screaming "Xbox sucks!" and then running out. Maybe go complain on anime forums about it?

Or I could complain on the place the chapter is being discussed... 🤨

As for the quality of the translation, it seems great given that I am paying $0 for it. Though I've read and enjoyed MTLs that have passed through about 6 intermediate languages first while being typeset by somebody whose entire graphics editing experience consists only of MS Paint. These are the kind of dirt-poor expectations you need to enjoy obscure manga, where there's about 1 person interested in translating it every 5 years and you just have to hope at least they do a decent amount of chapters before RL pulls them away.

Well I'm glad you can enjoy shit. I personally prefer it when the "translator" doesn't think he's a second writer.

But here’s the thing, who the fuck does know everyone’s name in their class??? I sure as hell didn’t, I only knew the name of the my friend(s).

You're expected to remember your classmates' names in Japan, apparently. This is a recurring thing.

I've not been on the manga forum scene for very long - do you mean that they are changing the original meaning of the conversationsj/context, or do you mean that they are translating the terminology (like what they do with Kaiju 8-gou where they call the "kaiju" "monsters" instead)?

No, what I mean is that the "translator" is taking on the role of a second writer and turning what is casual speech into slang-laden drivel. Here's an example from Chapter 9 that sums up the problem:

She basically says something along the lines of "All that talkin' makes you thirsty, doesn't it?" in the typical casual tone of this manga. The "Translator" turns it into... whatever that is on the left. There's really not that much slang, and his way of reflecting casual, relaxed speech is to make them talk like... whatever the fuck this is supposed to be.

I'm in my 50s and I didn't even notice there was any weird slang in there until I saw people point it out in this thread. But then, I'm involved in a few communities where I'm regularly hanging out with teenagers on Discord so I'm used to people who actually talk that way. Didn't seem weird to me at all.

There's not that much in the original text.

 

[Zykeroth]

Oh cut the girl some slack, you're all first years and Ruri is introverted. At that age I was even worse with people and had untreated adhd, I could barely pay enough attention to note down the homework, nevermind remember my teacher's names or some school council's lineup.

 

[Wildtale]

No, what I mean is that the "translator" is taking on the role of a second writer and turning what is casual speech into slang-laden drivel. Here's an example from Chapter 9 that sums up the problem:

She basically says something along the lines of "All that talkin' makes you thirsty, doesn't it?" in the typical casual tone of this manga. The "Translator" turns it into... whatever that is on the left. There's really not that much slang, and his way of reflecting casual, relaxed speech is to make them talk like... whatever the fuck this is supposed to be.

Wow... Okay, I'm with you here. Not so much a contextual change as a tonal change that is... Pretty striking to say the least.

It's as if the translator wasn't confident that the more direct translation would come off as a casual tone and proceeded to veer off into the deep end. I can appreciate and understand the original tone and context - I don't need it exaggerated to understand that Ruri's mom is a chill character.

I imagine this doesn't make much of a difference for most readers, and I won't fight them for it, but I personally agree that this is a pretty significant and unnecessary change.

 

[BuyVelomobiles]

Wow... Okay, I'm with you here. Not so much a contextual change as a tonal change that is... Pretty striking to say the least.
|
It's as if the translator wasn't confident that the more direct translation would come off as a casual tone and proceeded to veer off into the deep end. I can appreciate and understand the original tone and context - I don't need it exaggerated to understand that Ruri's mom is a chill character.

I imagine this doesn't make much of a difference for most readers, and I won't fight them for it, but I personally agree that this is a pretty significant and unnecessary change.

It goes without saying, but basically most, if not all the rest of the dialogue has this exact problem. Teachers talking like they're cringy kids, extra slang where there's none. That some less... discerning readers don't mind it notwithstanding, it's a sign that the guy handling this series sees the source material less as scripture, and more of an... outline for his "totally hip" writing.

 

[Redice]

Eh, besides some standoffish choices for some words, most of translation is fine. The most prominent is probably the translator's tick on using cuz, naw, etc. Guess Ruri's scottish now or something.

 

[Rgal]

No, what I mean is that the "translator" is taking on the role of a second writer and turning what is casual speech into slang-laden drivel. Here's an example from Chapter 9 that sums up the problem:

Casual speech is slang-laden drivel. Nobody is going to use long-ass (or "verbose" for those of you with slang allergy) terms like "shortened language" when shorter words like "slang" do just fine.

 

[Aoitenshi]

Casual speech is slang-laden drivel. Nobody is going to use long-ass (or "verbose" for those of you with slang allergy) terms like "shortened language" when shorter words like "slang" do just fine.

The biggest problem with using slangs where there were none in the source material is that the translator is essentially building an ice sculpture. It will only make sense for so long before those slangs get outdated and become obscure words that nobody knows what they mean. Since the Japanese dialogues are written casually but with zero slangs, a random reader 20 years from now will be able to read just fine. But I wouldn't say the same for the English translation for Ruri Dragon.

But all of it is just my justification anyway. This translation is probably more enjoyable to read for native speakers since they can easily relate to it. Meanwhile I would recommend non-natives who know a bit of Japanese to read the raws instead.

 

[dymarimar]

Free Ruri, no bitching

 

[Rgal]

The biggest problem with using slangs where there were none in the source material is that the translator is essentially building an ice sculpture. It will only make sense for so long before those slangs get outdated and become obscure words that nobody knows what they mean. Since the Japanese dialogues are written casually but with zero slangs, a random reader 20 years from now will be able to read just fine. But I wouldn't say the same for the English translation for Ruri Dragon.

But all of it is just my justification anyway. This translation is probably more enjoyable to read for native speakers since they can easily relate to it. Meanwhile I would recommend non-natives who know a bit of Japanese to read the raws instead.

But the source material is using slang. Surely you didn't think that "わからん" is the full, non-shortened Japanese for "I do not understand"? That would be "わからない" or even "分かりません", for the record.
Similarly, what they used for "ain't [my,your] throat parched?"(literally, that's what "nodo kawakan?" means) is not the slangless "this makes me thirsty", even if it's not the less literal "my pipes could use a drink" that the official translation used.

 

[redscizor]

Ruri is the first half dragon without charsima =/
Usually they are greater sorc or bard, but Ruri is not social =/

 

[Jstar338]

I mean, yeah Ruri has been kind of this closed-off snarky asshole (she just like me frfr) up until this, with only one friend, and not knowing anyone's names. or even who they are. Makes sense that pisses people off