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I think emotional maturity and basic empathy are what matter when interacting with a text.
Would a living blob of toxic masculinity translate shojo well? Probably not.
Can a man who processes emotions and has female friends do it? If he's conscious of his biased perspective, sure https://twitter.com/mangaberg/status/1313917407325573120
Would a living blob of toxic masculinity translate shojo well? Probably not.
Can a man who processes emotions and has female friends do it? If he's conscious of his biased perspective, sure https://twitter.com/mangaberg/status/1313917407325573120
Snow White With the Red Hair is still tricky for me, but is that b/c Akiduki is female or b/c the writing is more nuanced than punchy-punchy shonen, aka my bread and butter?
I'd argue the latter. Feels more about genre/demo than the author's identity (linked, but not inexorably).
I'd argue the latter. Feels more about genre/demo than the author's identity (linked, but not inexorably).
In SWWtRH, much less is spelled out. I have to read between the lines and think a lot more about how a character's feelings in a given moment would change the tone. Or how the previous scene might affect their current state of mind. This can be hard! I have to put in the time.
Interestingly, MHA presents similar challenges! Horikoshi's writing style is unconventional among mainstream shonen mangaka. Lots of nuance. Half-sentences. Things left unsaid.
Meanwhile, Dr. Stone is written like an instruction manual. Hearts worn on sleeves. Super clear-cut.
Meanwhile, Dr. Stone is written like an instruction manual. Hearts worn on sleeves. Super clear-cut.
On the flip side, can women translate boom-kapow shonen? Uh, sure. It's not rocket science (except when it is).
And how does any of this apply to NB people?
As long as the translator is empathetic enough (re: author/characters/text) the gender binary doesn't feel too relevant.
And how does any of this apply to NB people?
As long as the translator is empathetic enough (re: author/characters/text) the gender binary doesn't feel too relevant.
Should it matter if the translator isn't the same ethnicity, or didn't grow up in the same country/culture while facing the same societal prejudices as the author?
Intersectionality is real and it matters, but the translator already serves as a bridge. Empathy is the job.
Intersectionality is real and it matters, but the translator already serves as a bridge. Empathy is the job.
As for "voice" and "language," that also comes down to...life experience? Broad consumption of media?
Like, "Do you know how people talk?"
It's an organic yet technical challenge, and a man who can't produce believable dialogue for women shouldn't be writing/translating fiction.
Like, "Do you know how people talk?"
It's an organic yet technical challenge, and a man who can't produce believable dialogue for women shouldn't be writing/translating fiction.
(also, the shonen <--> shojo binary is obviously limited/contrived. Genre/demo isn't a straight line spectrum, but those two are easy mainstream nodes to reference.
Niche manga about gender issues specifically would prob benefit from a TL who identifies closely w/the author)
Niche manga about gender issues specifically would prob benefit from a TL who identifies closely w/the author)
(also also, I'm still a relative novice w/only 7 years experience. take anything I say with a grain of salt, think critically, and listen to not-just-men)
