Issue #11: WORLD OF TRANSLATORS

[AtlusAram]

http://www.atlus.com/res/productiondiary_gameheader_nomoretranslators.jpg

http://www.atlus.com/res/productiondiary_featureart_sealofdoom.jpg

Join a member of our Atlus translation staff as she explores a world
without translators:

"Translating has to be the least stressful job you could have at
Atlus. Not to say we are in a stressful work environment - we're
pretty easy going. In fact, our building is on a ten degree incline,
so we're always laid back. But we do have our crunch moments
when things just suck and deadlines are near. Even then, I often
find myself at peace while across from me editors curse at their
monitors, the angry voice of the project lead ricochets off the
walls, and the happiness and life get sucked out of the testers as
they play the game for the 2,340,987th time."

http://www.atlus.com/res/general_button_clickhereforfeaturedarticle.jpg (http://www.atlus.com/pd.php)

[thinkfreemind]

:lol: I liked the song. Someone should put that on a disk and sell it for $1.99!

[Josh]

Is this even slightly serious? I mean, I'm kind of deciding where to go with my career after college, either into game programming itself or into translating. I'm going to be "qualified" for both, so to speak, and I'm really not sure which one I should go for first, and knowing even a little bit about how to get into translating would help.

Then again, I'll take whatever job in the game industry I can get (well, of those that require skills), so maybe the choice won't even be mine when the time comes.

[LiquidPhire]

yes, id much rather translate than test.

[Rise]

Best. issue. evar.

M for president! ;D (Or high sovereign mermaid queen?)

[Rednusander]

Is this even slightly serious? I mean, I'm kind of deciding where to go with my career after college, either into game programming itself or into translating. I'm going to be "qualified" for both, so to speak, and I'm really not sure which one I should go for first, and knowing even a little bit about how to get into translating would help.

Then again, I'll take whatever job in the game industry I can get (well, of those that require skills), so maybe the choice won't even be mine when the time comes.

Well, first of all, I hope you aren't hinging your career choices on our production diaries.

Secondly, the language requirement for a translator usually goes above a working knowledge, or a "so to speak" modifier on the end of your sentence. You should be fluent, able to read, write, and juggle between the two languages in your brain.

Other than that, the best advice anyone could give you really, not just someone in the industry, is to figure out which one you LIKE to do more, which one PAYS better, and which one you're BETTER at. If you're taking whatever you can get, you're selling yourself short and you'll probably end up sad, because the two fields rarely lead to the other.

[Josh]

Haha, don't worry, this is the first time I read one of your production diaries, because I was hoping for some information about getting into translation.

And my "so to speak" was because I'm a computer science major and a Japanese minor, so while I'm going to make myself fluent in Japanese, I wouldn't have a major in it, so I wouldn't necessarily be "qualified".

Anyway, my big issue with "actual" development (programming or design, for me) is the threat of disgusting amounts of (either paid or unpaid) overtime. If it's seriously as bad as the stories suggest, I'll have to either look for a job with a really good company that wouldn't work me to death, or go into a career still in the game industry with (apparently) normal working hours, like translating.

[Luna]

I want a baby seal T_T

[CanuckGamer]

Hey I'm a tester and we are not all like that :p
Oh sure playing games over and over and over can sometimes dull the experience but most of us never lose our souls over it.
I think Translators have it worse simply because when you mess up the names and such the fans get all over you.

[LiquidPhire]

I dont think a major in Japanese would 'qualify' you to translate either. It's all about your real ability, so you'd need, at the very least, 2-kyu under your belt, as well as a pretty good grasp on Japanese modern culture, slang, and regional dialects. And that'd only 'qualify' you for relatively simple translation projects.

Development is a grind, no matter where you go. And Japanese companies can be a grind as well. You got be willing to work hard. Can't be too picky. I was a CompSci major too with a Japanese minor, so here's rootin' for ya :D

[thinkfreemind]

Where are you people going to school to learn Japanese? I've checked schools around my area in central Virginia and nobody teaches it. I also can't just leave the state to find a school that does either since I've got obligations to take care of where I am.

[FarneseAtlus]

If Atlus had no translators, what would happen to your JRPG experience?
It would be like Swiss cheese without holes,
unicorns without horns,
a digestive system with no poo,
a cow without a moo!

Yes, it would be a lonely place --
the world without translators.
Actually, I would like to take a break one day
and watch the editors and non-Japanese-speaking project leads cry
as they tried to figure out what a character is saying, just by facial expression and outfit.

It would probably end up much better and funnier,
but they will be killed by maniac fans of the original games --
especially if they know a little Japanese.

So, translators are life-savers!
I get so sad when a joke I translate gets changed
because it's too lame.
Oh well, I guess that's life.

Anyway, the world without translators is a dark and dreary place.
Every home should have at least one.
If not, the games should have at least one...
maybe two or three for bigger projects.

On the other hand, a world with translators makes everything so smooth!
The localization process would be so constipated,
so be proud of us translators --
do you hear that, other Atlus employees?

One last thing:
Thank you, fans, for being so faithful.
Without you to love our games, I wouldn't be happy.
Without you to buy our games, I wouldn't have a job.
I love you!
We love you!
We love you!
We love you!
Love you! Love you! Love you!
We love you!
So much, so much!

[shimo]

^Thanks for lyrics.
I have just listen to the song. Good song, it's gets full points for originality I think.

[James Fiend]

What is expected of editors, since qualifications are being brought up? In terms of schooling and ability. I'm not specifically interested but it would be something to know. I like the idea of having to turn messy translation into quality text with space limitations. It sounds like a word puzzle game except you get fired if you're too slow.

Song was okay, give it 5/10. Too much poo referenced between images and sound.

[dragonlife29]

Transcribed LyricsOoooh, please do some for Striptease and sing it as an extra :3

Nice PD, BTW. Haha, I like that everyone who isn't a translator gets their misery poked at :P

What is expected of editors, since qualifications are being brought up? In terms of schooling and ability. I'm not specifically interested but it would be something to know. I like the idea of having to turn messy translation into quality text with space limitations. It sounds like a word puzzle game except you get fired if you're too slow.

I would like to know this as well. I myself am interested because writing is probably the only worthwhile talent I have.

Oh, and can one outweigh the other? Say I don't have much schooling...would I not even be bothered with, regardless of my skill? How does one's skill get gauged out by a party? Do you submit an example of some sort?

[James Fiend]

I would like to know this as well. I myself am interested because writing is probably the only worthwhile talent I have.

Oh, and can one outweigh the other? Say I don't have much schooling...would I not even be bothered with, regardless of my skill? How does one's skill get gauged out by a party? Do you submit an example of some sort?
I only asked to make conversation and because I'm not detail-oriented enough to read little links at the bottom of a website. Here are Atlus' deepest desires in bullet form:

#

Requirements
# LOCAL APPLICANTS ONLY (We are located in the Irvine, CA. Applicants outside of the Orange County area will not be considered.)
# Previous writing/editorial experience
# Detail-oriented
# Good communication skills
# Passion for games
# Strong writing and spelling skills
# Impeccable grammar
# Computer literate
# Available 9:00-5:30 M-F plus overtime

DOES YOU POSSESS STRONG SPELLING SKILLZ, DRAGONLIFE?

[dragonlife29]

Here are Atlus' deepest desires in bullet form:

#

Requirements
# LOCAL APPLICANTS ONLY (We are located in the Irvine, CA. Applicants outside of the Orange County area will not be considered.)
# Previous writing/editorial experience
# Detail-oriented
# Good communication skills
# Passion for games
# Strong writing and spelling skills
# Impeccable grammar
# Computer literate
# Available 9:00-5:30 M-F plus overtime

DOES YOU POSSESS STRONG SPELLING SKILLZ, DRAGONLIFE?Damn! San Diegan, here.

Not yet, unfortunately--at least, not professionally.

Boo! =( I'm not sure what they mean by this exactly, but I'm horrible with computers in the sense that I can't fix them and whatnot--but if it's knowing my way around with them...I'm not sure, honestly O_o. Probably not as much as I think.

OFF COARSE EYE HALVE RIDING SKILLZ, JAMES FIEND!?!??? :D Everything but the bolded parts are pretty much me.

[James Fiend]

Damn! San Diegan, here.

Not yet, unfortunately--at least, not professionally.

Boo! =( I'm not sure what they mean by this exactly, but I'm horrible with computers in the sense that I can't fix them and whatnot--but if it's knowing my way around with them...I'm not sure, honestly O_o. Probably not as much as I think.

OFF COARSE EYE HALVE RIDING SKILLZ, JAMES FIEND!?!??? :D Everything but the bolded parts are pretty much me.
Computer literate usually just means you can find your way around Windows and the internet; I'm sure that's not a problem. Also, there is no real certificate in powerful spelling skills so I don't think schooling is implied. From the looks of this posting, all you really need is proof that you've written something official that doesn't suck. This posting is for a temporary position for a specific project, though.

An Atlus staff member weighing in would probably be really enlightening, but it is my firm belief that they are working hard on Super Robot Taisen: OG. We ought not to disturb them.

PS
I read an anecdote on the web about a pour soul who claimed to have flubbed his interview and didn't get the job due to distraction by a female of Asian persuasion. You might have the advantage here, but just in case...beware.

[dragonlife29]

Computer literate usually just means you can find your way around Windows and the internet; I'm sure that's not a problem. Also, there is no real certificate in powerful spelling skills so I don't think schooling is implied. From the looks of this posting, all you really need is proof that you've written something official that doesn't suck. This posting is for a temporary position for a specific project, though.

An Atlus staff member weighing in would probably be really enlightening, but it is my firm belief that they are working hard on Super Robot Taisen: OG. We ought not to disturb them.Believe.

The requirements aren't as bad as I thought, honestly. I also want to know purely for "enlightening" purposes, since I'm not really looking to work at a video game company--but just knowing there's a chance is always good.

EDIT: I lol'd at the PS for plenty of reasons:lol:

[magitalon]

10 Degree Incline... my god. XD

[Viewtiful Me]

lol as a translator myself I really really appreciate all the work you guys do, and really understand all the trouble you go through, keep it up! Translators pride!!:D

[x_revenge]

this is the best idea ever, you guys are awesome

no translators, WE love YOU

[Ido]

I loved the song, way to go translators we love you too~

You had such a beautiful voice too~

[Olethros]

I'm exceptionally tired and have a headache today, so just pretend I wrote something witty with biting sarcasm here, 'kay? Thanks. :D

[shimo]

^Ooooookay.

[heyman]

We spanish speakers need spanish translations of the atlus games, it's very simple

[Olethros]

^Ooooookay.

[shimo]

:lol:

[Olethros]

^ :)

[chee7nou]

LOL, that was one of the most hilarious PD I ever read, all the bragging and bsing and the part about how preposteroius the size of the female bathroom to the male sent me in a twirl. XD

[AbsyntheDelacroix]

I don't know if this is the right place to say this. No, I'm actually sure that this is the wrong place but, whatever. My dream is to become a translator so, huh, what are the requisites for becoming one?

[Rednusander]

I don't know if this is the right place to say this. No, I'm actually sure that this is the wrong place but, whatever. My dream is to become a translator so, huh, what are the requisites for becoming one?

To get a good idea, you might check under our "careers" tab from the main page under "Bilingual localization specialist."

[AbsyntheDelacroix]

To get a good idea, you might check under our "careers" tab from the main page under "Bilingual localization specialist."

Thank you! But, huh, I live in Italy so I guess Atlus is out of the question. I've got another question, but I don't want to keep OTing this thread anymore, so can i PM you? It's okay if you say no; noone likes to be pestered needlessly, and I'm sure you have work to do.

[Rednusander]

To get a good idea, you might check under our "careers" tab from the main page under "Bilingual localization specialist."

Thank you! But, huh, I live in Italy so I guess Atlus is out of the question. I've got another question, but I don't want to keep OTing this thread anymore, so can i PM you? It's okay if you say no; noone likes to be pestered needlessly, and I'm sure you have work to do.

Being that this thread is essentially about translating, I don't think it would be so off topic to post your questions here, or you could even start your own thread in General Discussion or Off Topic. That way you may get responses from other translators who may or may not lurk around these parts.

[Fuyukaze]

If Atlus ever gives tours of the offices, I think I'll be alergic to chocolate that day. This article definitly made me realize how little I feel motivated to become a translator. Good read, definitly worth the five minutes.

[Xaevier]

Great article, and definitely <3 to the translators I have managed to learn a good deal of spoken Japanese but I am dead in the water when it comes to Kanji so you guys really are life savers.

[Manly Biceps]

I'm surprised that nobody commented on the picture of the guy stuck in the quarantine...

[four_black_hearts]

So... When do we get the next issue?

[Tedmond]

I only signed up to this forum to say one thing.

It wouldn't let me make a thread so I suppose here is as good as anywhere.

The translation of Persona 4 is the best commercial JRPG to English translation I have ever had the pleasure to both read and listen to.

I genuinely laughed on many occasions and actually felt like it was being written by people who identify with internet culture and the colloquial ways we talk in the west.

My absolute favourite moment was the Pageant scene where Teddie comes on stage.

In most Stale translations that male audience member probably would of said "He's a really convincing woman!"

Instead, you guys wrote "I'd hit it!"

So like, whoever's doing the translation, you guys rule, and should be paid well and should translate every JRPG ever.

kthxbai.

[Lanford]

I feel your pain and wealth...

I often do fan-supported translations from english to portuguese, that's because no softhouse ever gets interested in bringing games into our languages, so we have to hack and translate the games by ourselves if we want to get as much people to know and love these games, [insert number of odd circunstances here]...

Anyways, I'm also a translator. By fan-supported people should understand it as a non-profit job we do out of our free time as a hobby - nothing too serious.
The deal is that there's people who think they can translate and do crappy machine-based translations. Then there's people like me, who always research things they are translating, and on certain cases I just research both the english and the japanese game counterparts so I can be sure that I'm getting it right. Very painful work.

Even so, nothing beats getting a translation done, people getting to play it and read all the bull#### you've just translated and say "wow, that's a hell of a good story, can't believe I was missing on this" and things like that - all thanks to the translation you made.
It's really an awesome feeling I get, and I believe you translators at official game companies should also have.

And that's why I'm even much more grateful for the translators' jobs than regular people - because I do understand the whole process.

Much love.

[LadyRayna]

^There are two things bothering me about your post, the first one is this softhouse thing. WTH is a softhouse anyway? I think you mean publisher, but I’d like to be sure of it. The second one is, you talk about the video gaming industry in Brazil as though it’s nonexistent. Reading your post I have the impression that no game was ever released in Portuguese. And you couldn’t be farther from the truth. Off the top of my head I can think of at least four games that were released in Portuguese: Caesar III, Age of Mythology, The Sims and Halo 3.

[SickleCellAnemia]

LadyRayna is ON FIRE!!!

[Olethros]

uh-oh. The last time she used this tone an entire fleet of pirates got wiped out! :o

[LadyRayna]

Shhh, you guys are making me look bad :P

[Olethros]

NEVAR! LadyRayna is queen of teh boardz. :D

[Lanford]

^There are two things bothering me about your post, the first one is this softhouse thing. WTH is a softhouse anyway? I think you mean publisher, but I’d like to be sure of it. The second one is, you talk about the video gaming industry in Brazil as though it’s nonexistent. Reading your post I have the impression that no game was ever released in Portuguese. And you couldn’t be farther from the truth. Off the top of my head I can think of at least four games that were released in Portuguese: Caesar III, Age of Mythology, The Sims and Halo 3.
Rusted english made me forget about the diferences between gaming industry niche terms, I'm sorry if I mistook the words XD

I meant the rights owners that can translate and release the games legally - that happens with computer games, but it's not that often for console games to be released in Brazilian Portuguese, I think the last time they did it was a Harry Potter rpg for Game Boy Advance, and that wasn't even that good of a game to begin with :D

[syrup16g]

I dont think a major in Japanese would 'qualify' you to translate either. It's all about your real ability, so you'd need, at the very least, 2-kyu under your belt, as well as a pretty good grasp on Japanese modern culture, slang, and regional dialects. And that'd only 'qualify' you for relatively simple translation projects.

Development is a grind, no matter where you go. And Japanese companies can be a grind as well. You got be willing to work hard. Can't be too picky. I was a CompSci major too with a Japanese minor, so here's rootin' for ya :D

I'm pretty sure it's easier to obtain a 2-kyuu than a BA in Japanese, but of course it depends on the individual. I hope any company wouldn't consider hiring someone as a translator unless they passed 1-kyuu.

I say this because I passed 2-kyu at 17 and haven't started college yet.

[xeno]

I want to download that song, its great lol :)

To be more exact, it gets the point across perfectly, and I love it for that.

Thank you translators, I donno where I would be without you :)

[PainKilleR-[CE]]

Where are you people going to school to learn Japanese? I've checked schools around my area in central Virginia and nobody teaches it. I also can't just leave the state to find a school that does either since I've got obligations to take care of where I am.

Having moved to south-eastern Virginia from San Diego, I can tell you that it's far more common to see Japanese offered on the west coast than the east coast. On the other hand, it's far more common to see Mandarin offered in schools here in Virginia than in San Diego (not that Mandarin will help much with getting a game translation job).

[Futanari]

Heh. As a fansub translator for over half a decade, I can say that I can easily relate with the song. Although I do have a major benefit of not having any deadlines. XD And as one of the biggest Grammar Fuhrers in the world, I'd love to do some large-scale translating.

[Silverevilchao]

I only signed up to this forum to say one thing.

It wouldn't let me make a thread so I suppose here is as good as anywhere.

The translation of Persona 4 is the best commercial JRPG to English translation I have ever had the pleasure to both read and listen to.

I genuinely laughed on many occasions and actually felt like it was being written by people who identify with internet culture and the colloquial ways we talk in the west.

My absolute favourite moment was the Pageant scene where Teddie comes on stage.

In most Stale translations that male audience member probably would of said "He's a really convincing woman!"

Instead, you guys wrote "I'd hit it!"

So like, whoever's doing the translation, you guys rule, and should be paid well and should translate every JRPG ever.

kthxbai.

YES. I laughed out loud when Yosuke said "We fail, don't we? An epic fail". Because I say stuff like that all the time! Geez, I'm giggling out loud right now thinking of the "Mystery Food X" (oh my god, and Kanji's "NOOOOOOOOOO!" when Nanako tried the Christmas cake was priceless)! Stuff like that made the characters, the stuff they said, and the setting really convincing for me. I loved the character interactions in both Persona 3 and Persona 4.

And just the general tone of the translation in general - it really felt like both the translators and the voice actors had a lot of fun doing it.

This issue was really cool, I originally thought it was more like the fansubbing process in which things are just translated in a grammatically correct way, but you guys sure proved me wrong. It makes sense to have to rearrange stuff and put it more into character in the English translation.

I also admire your translation team's collective kanji-reading skills. As much as I can understand spoken Japanese...I can't read kanji all that well.

[TheSheepman]

Cool stuff, Awesome song~.

Anyways, that was a really interesting PD, as I wish to be a translator one day,
Though, that'll probably be a challenge of its own, This PD is pretty inspiring.

[Generalidea]

grahahaha, <3 Valentine heart for all those translators out there