I think I’ve discovered why I scanlate.
People who leave nice comments on this blog often thank me for my tireless efforts in promoting the titles that I scanlate here. Building an audience with the hope of them eventually being licensed. Providing a service for people who will never be able to read the original themselves.
(warning: massive, terrifying rant ahead)
Oops. If any of those things ever happened, they were happy accidents. Those things have never been my goal. If they were, I could do a lot better than what I’m doing. I’d be petitioning publishers, sending printed versions of our scanlations out to them and anyone with actual clout. I would send Junji Ito to filmmakers. I would send A FALSIFIED ROMANCE to anyone who has ever had to teach Dostoyevsky. And I would do it all anonymously.
But I’ve never done any of that. No, the reason I keep doing this is pretty much the most selfish one possible.
I do it because I’m a failing creative person, and translating manga is almost creative.
Translating manga is 99% taking dialogue from another language and rendering it into English. Sometimes there is a one-to-one answer for how to translate a line of dialogue, that a machine could find. Most of the time, there isn’t. There’s a lot of wiggle room to think about how to express something in English that wasn’t originally in English. It’s very similar to the process of writing dialogue for an original creative work, but you’re given such strict parameters that I can’t call it creative. It’s almost creative.
For people who are almost creative, scanlating is a lot of fun. These are many people who write, or would like to write. People who are almost writing. Scanlating scratches this itch, and gives us a sense of ownership on a manga title without having to draw a single line. We’ll go above and beyond, trying to make a line of dialogue the best it can be. Sometimes we’ll go too far and totally out of bounds, trying to “improve” a line of dialogue by putting in stuff that wasn’t there. Sure no-one pays you, but you get to do it however the fuck you want.
Japanese is a more ritualised language than English. Sometimes where English will vary the words in a sentence, you can get that same variation in Japanese by changing intonation, timing or any number of other things. Baka literally means ‘idiot’, or ‘stupid’ in English. But while it’s perfectly normal for a Japanese adult to throw that word around a lot, if you have a character do that in English they will sound like a child. If they’re not supposed to sound like a child in the original, then you’ve gotta mix it up a little. You’ve gotta change it to keep it the same.
I don’t always get this right, but I do care about stuff like this. If a line sounds weird when said aloud, I won’t put it in. I would say that 99% of scanlations are full of lines like these, ‘clunkers’ that would make you choke on your popcorn if you heard them in a movie. Moreso than the outright theft of their IP, I think creators would be outraged if they truly knew how the dialogue that they most likely put a lot of thought into was being turned into the most rote English possible. Out of love, of course. It amazes me how many people want to be translators who clearly have no interest in reading or writing in the language they are translating into. Which is all anyone will ever see.
Luckily, very few people give a fuck. Fans of Japanese visual culture have always been content to get ‘the jist’ of the dialogue and let the pictures tell the story. That’s why fans of western comics can reel off an alphabetised list of their favourite quotes from their favourite comics, while the only memorable lines that manga fans know tend to be ironically hilarious, or worse, in Japanese.
I can only imagine how much it must suck to be a professional translator and have so few people know or care that it’s an art as much as it is a science. And the few people who do know tend to care very deeply about excising the art from it completely, in the name of staying faithful to the original text, to the point where even localisation companies are caving into that attitude.
So I scanlate partly as a fuck you to that attitude, and partly because it lets me piggyback onto someone else’s creative work without having to do the real hard yards myself.
And it’s not just the translation bit, I’d be amiss in not mentioning the other fruits of the author’s labour that I’m appropriating. All the thanks and praise, like I wrote and drew the thing. The giddy feeling of releasing something and waiting to see how people will react, like I have any stake in it at all. If you google my name, I’m the first match. The next match is some guy with a Ph.D. In what? Who cares motherfucker, I scanlate comics!
I’d feel guilty, but no-one has ever tried to stop me. I might at some point have to stop myself.
I’d be interested to know why other scanlators or translators do what they do. Let me know in the comments section or on your own site if you have one, and I’ll link you.
For me, as I am an editor, finds it really satisfying when I transform a crappy scanned raw page of a magazine into a very nice digital-looking image. And as you have said, when a scanlator of group of scanlators do a series, they somehow gain this sort of ownership of the said manga. Like when readers write good criticisms about it, you feel proud. Otherwise, you feel hurt like it was really your own work. I also understand your “I feel more creative” feel when I typeset. Like I’m the one to choose what fonts fits where and all.
I stopped helping scanlating for almost a year now but it always itches me to resume every time I read scanlations. Hell, I actually thought of myself working in a legal publishing company editing my favorite manga. lol
I know the feeling. And apparently the not-so-well-kept secret of local manga companies is that there’s more than a few scanlators amongst their staff.
Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts. All editors, typesetters, proofreaders etc. welcome of course.
Because if I didn’t do it then some uncultured swine using Chinese translations would, and god damn that bothers me. I invest myself a lot in the series that I like most, and seeing someone on the net say it’s terrible because of the writing (when I think the writing is great) irks me a lot because I want to shout, “That’s not the writer’s fault! Blame the translator!”
This does come back to bite me sometimes, because if people don’t like something that I’VE done then naturally my first thought is that it’s a problem with my translation and not the reader’s preferences regarding the original work. I mean, I read the original and it was great, so if other people read it and don’t agree that’s obviously not the original’s fault, right?
And yes, all of what you’ve said does definitely apply, and I was sorta spooked by how you pretty much took what’s in my head and wrote it on a blog post. In a way fan translation is like writing the ultimate piece of fanfiction for a series–everyone who likes the series is probably gonna love it. Even better, someone else has already thought up all the exciting plot, the snappy dialogue, the pacing and the format. It’s so easy, compared to actually writing something original. But yeah.
Outside of that there’s the satisfaction of taking a gritty scan and turning it into something clean and clear, or redrawing some stroked text or a double page margin so well that even you can’t tell where the original art ends and your editing begins (although I’m sure my editing would make some people cry foul). That part of scanlating is definitely something I appreciate when I’m done with it as opposed to when I’m doing it, though, and it’s a part I’d gladly delegate to someone else if I wasn’t a control freak and massively impatient when it comes to waiting on other people (as opposed to making other people wait on me!).
Haha, so if people liked something you like it’s because it’s good, and if they didn’t it must have been the translation. Dude, maybe I should start writing in Japanese with a safety net like that.
I hear you about wanting to do a job well done where for others it might just be a diversion or paycheck. I still remember cringing reading the JManga translations of some stuff I did, and feeling like a bit of a dick for doing so. There’s definitely an unhealthy amount of pride in something that isn’t ours – I’m sure like me you get a lot of requests to continue series where another group left off. I just can’t do it.
Also you translate prose, where the balance between art and science tips way over into art. The temptation to just go wild and make shit up is off the charts, and I bet the sense of ownership increases proportionally.
Anyway you heard it here folks, if you’re an editor and you think you can keep up with the half-man half-translating machine Spore (Genshiken, Baccano, a whole heap of stuff) maybe you can shoot him an application.
^ Hey, I’d love to help Spore out with editing/typesetting. But I’ve kind of got my hands full on Boys on the Run. And I think after this is done, it will be my first and last scanlating gig.
I too do it because it lets me be half creative, while removing the risk of failure if it were my own work. I sometimes catch myself feeling some pride for having cleaned out some huge sound effect and putting the translation in almost seamlessly. But I know that’s nothing compared to Hanazawa who drew that entire page in the first place. And I love the sense of accomplishment when the thankful comments come in. For lack of a paying job that lets me experience that.
But there’s plenty of other reasons I’m still here after six volumes. I love Hanazawa’s art and writing. Editing gives me a chance to study it up close. Also, I enjoy working with Daniel. Also, we’re on different sides of the world, man! That makes it extra cool. : P
Mostly though, I just want to know what happens next. And since I’ll never learn Japanese and be able to read the original, I’ll just piggyback off Daniel’s Japanese skills.
It’s fascinating to get the perspective of scanlators when it comes to what they do. I can certainly see the “creative” side of it; while you’re translating the work of another person, that doesn’t mean there isn’t an element of yourself that goes into it. It’s kind of like a combination of the translator and voice artist for an English anime dub.
It would be great if publishers took these scanlations as a sign of what is popular and enjoyable to Western audiences. And hell, maybe even license these scanlations themselves and make them official. Goodness knows the work you guys do is professional.
Robin: when enthusiasm wanes, it’s always the quality of Hanazawa that picks me back up again too.
Federico: It’d be nice to be one of them paid professionals, but it’s also nice to pick your own projects. I think translating anything else but things I like would be kind of grueling.
I don’t know man, you’ve got to take some pride in what you do. Think of yourself as the host of a party. You’re not a DJ or a bartender or doing any of the “real” jobs, but you’re still the guy who makes the party happen.
Wow, I thought this was some really interesting insight into the mind of a scanlator. I totally understand the creative fulfillment that one might receive upon completing such an artistic endeavor, especially when it’s something that they are passionate about (as you obviously are). Also, wanted to take a moment to express my appreciation for your extraordinary efforts and skill in scanlating Crime and Punishment: A Falsified Romance. I only wish Jmanga would be as dedicated and detailed in scanlating the new chapters, as you were.
Cam: Thanks for your kind words. Where is JManga up to now? Have they released 3 yet?
I think they’re about halfway through vol. 3. Seems like only shojo titles get any attention these days…..*sigh*.
“If you google my name, I’m the first match. The next match is some guy with a Ph.D. In what? Who cares motherfucker, I scanlate comics!”
I just googled your name to get to this website and to my surprise you weren’t the first result anymore
#yoloswag: Son of a …
Google has been lying to me to placate my ego. I guess scanlators aren’t as esteemed as I thought.
Depressingly insightful, lot of this hits home. I have fun playing with dialog for the same reasons I suspect, given how much I used to like to write (these days, not so much.) Sometimes I like to think of it as solving a good puzzle that’s only really cracked when I can read back a page and not physically recoil in disgust.
I didn’t start out looking for superstardom, but it’s a fact that I only picked up a few series when people bemoaned the lack of scans, and I always end up f5ing those comment feeds in spite of myself. I think I’m always hoping someone will point out a mistake, so I can say I’m learning something with this, too.
Duralumin: You do good work!
Careful what you wish for, though. I think people would angry with me if they knew how many liberties I take with what I translate.
Luckily I only do the unpopular stuff. Hooray!
I retract my previous statement. Just googled your name again to get here and noticed you’re back in first place again. Maybe google just didnt remember your greatness on that day.
Aww man, this is such an awesome post. Speaks to the soul right there. I can’t say much for translating for myself, but I do edit manga, (although through that experience I am learning a little bit of Japanese here and there) and I just find the author and artist’s work and efforts fascinating. The typesetting, the SFXs, the organization and everything is a real piece of art. The screentones, the shadows and all the little detail that each artist puts into their work is pretty incredible. And to be able to take pride in somewhat being a part of that process (almost literally working backwards is how I think of it), is really just a great experience. Spending an almost absurd amount of time trying to pick fonts that look like the original… it really is a creative experience.
Gosh golly, I don’t even know what I’m saying anymore, but scanlating is pretty much a hobby for me. I love being creative and this is surprisingly one of those kinds of things. Thanks for posting your thoughts, Daniel, now I understand why I love scanlation so much :’)
holanio: What a healthy attitude towards scanlating. May it see you through the hard times!
i can relate entirely. i don’t think i’ve done anything creative in years. no written output, no drawings, no attempts at music. well, abortive non-starter attempts at all of these things, like starting a notebook of daily thoughts, or downloading ableton and becoming too confused and uninstalling it, but that’s all.
i edit books for a profession. mostly history books (of the mass market kind, not textbooks). i would never consider what i do creative, but in making some good books great – and a lot of awful books legible – i probably have a definite effect on the creative endeavours of others. as you say, it’s ‘almost creative’.
i remember i edited TL scripts for fansubs back when i was fourteen or so. i think i did honey and clover for solar. i’m sure i made many mistakes, as i was just a kid, but it did feel pretty good. the downside was that i lost interest in the shows i worked on. i hope this doesn’t happen for you, as your work is important to me as a reader. thanks a lot for what you do. what you do is beyond cleaning things up – which is what editing is – you are entirely responsible for an artist being understood in anglophone nations. that’s a very powerful thing.
i would like to add, as it wasn’t clear – your editor, robin, is equally responsible in that he too facilitates the understanding of an artist in a whole new culture. from one editor another, you are greatly appreciated!
slaepwerigne: You’re welcome, and thank you for Honey and Clover. I watched your releases before I knew even a word of Japanese. So it comes full circle!
I think book editing can be very creative when the author has written themselves into a hole. And even if it isn’t, it at least needs to be professional, or the book stands out in a bad way. That’s something I’ve realised as someone trying to self publish an ebook (which I’ll be announcing soon). Someday I’ll be able to afford a professional editor …
Thanks slaepwerigne!
Nice post. I agree translating can be a sort of art, one better suited for people who don’t possess an innate muse. But I admit that I sometimes commit the sin of simply translating literally, especially when I’m lazy.
I can really feel your passionin this post, and thats what makes it so good.
Hear, hear.
As a former scanlator turned freelance letterer a lot of what you’re saying definitely hits home. I wish I still had the freedom to “style” something, but apathetic is what $$$ makes a man.
But yeah, I have the utmost respect for people who actually care what something READS like. The guy I used to work with at Mangascreener was a master at adapting dialogue, and since then I’ve never been able to read something that was just translated for the sake of being translated. I tried my hand at some translating/adapting as well, but ultimately I just dropped it due to it becoming a hobby I couldn’t really afford to spend time on anymore.
C. Vantisphout: yeah, it really is time consuming and done largely by people with gobs of spare time. Combine that with the fact that not many people really care about how it reads in English, and there’s not a lot of motivation for anyone to keep at it for a long time.
Well, all I can do is declare my respect for doing a great job in adapting such excellent manga to the English language.
Much appreciated! With source material like that, it’s kind of hard to fail.