Let me move onto what I actually want to talk about.

There are many anime fans that prefer that translations attempt to mimic the original script as much as possible. Some prefer that the translation dubs sound as closely as possible to the original seiyuu.

There is a term that is popularly applied when people do not understand each other, “lost in translation.” It has a literal meaning. There will always be something lost in the translation from one language to another. Something will be lost when the translation is applied from one culture to the other. After all, translation is an art as much as it is a process.

The history of anime localization in the US is disheartening, but things have gotten better over the years. For the most part, I find many of the past editing efforts of anime distributors to be unwarranted because they were mostly the effect of public relations initiatives. It would appear that it is still the case that companies in the US are more likely to edit series for fear of complaints rather than to aid in the understanding of the material. When companies edit out nudity, violence, context, and/or meaning I take issue.

Let me relate my two thoughts here. I mentioned that I see a Bruce Willis look alike in Roy Revant. Let’s pretend that the reason I say this is because there is some effort on the part of the voice actor, of the English dub, to convey a little Die Hard-ness into the role. I don’t see any real problem with that.

Why would I not find fault with that? Simple, I’m watching an English dub of the series by a US distributor. If the voice actor thinks he can convey the character a little better by inputting a little of a known element, in this case “generic American hero,” then what is the problem there? This is assuming the VA is not simply screwing around. Perhaps the VA was given direction to do so, proper direction perhaps.

Most US distributions come with the original Japanese sound track and subtitles in English. If I was so inclined I could watch a “pure” version; I have it within a few clicks or button pushes of my remote. That is assuming the translation was artfully done. Indeed, I have read and heard several people comment that they never-ever listen to any dubbed anime. That seems a bit of a shame because many English speaking VA’s are very talented.

I think the point I’m trying to make here is that blind devotion is a dead-end path with regard to these matters. The thought that one has enclosed within their minds all that is necessary to understand a message that is conveyed through many levels of translation is completely absurd. On a purely analytical level the viewer needs help to properly understand the story that is being told. Hence, the translators notes (which I love) in many of the better fansubs. There is also the endless discourse on the meaning of certain aspects of anime. It is all intended to give some amount of understanding. I don’t believe the assumption can be made that one can be given an artfully translated script and also assume that simply stating the words will get the meaning across the cultural divide.

I mentioned that on an analytical level people need help understanding the material. I know I do when it comes to specific cultural references, history, and pop-culture. It’s extremely common even within the United States that people don’t get each other or the message is “lost in translation” It’s a big country, lots of different people, despite the fact that the world thinks the US is made up of war-happy white born-again Christians.

On an artistic level, one of the messages that my blog has constantly tried to get across is that we are part of the art. Our experience and history are something that is intrinsic within everything that we do. Because of that I do not find fault if dubs try to use that fact to enhance the experience, but I do see it as a problem if the story is literally changed. Yes, it is a fine line drawn between the two, but that just makes the though more appealing to me.

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