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Translations
Introduction
This page aims to outline the guidelines for translations on The Codex, specifying what translations are acceptable and what sources or methods are disallowed. It is essential to ensure that all translations are accurate and trustworthy to maintain the integrity of The Codex.
Accepted Translation Sources
Translations must come from reputable sources to ensure accuracy and reliability. Below are examples of acceptable translation sources:
- Official Translations: Any translation officially produced by the creators or licensed distributors. This includes:
- Manga, anime, or video game translations officially done by the creators or licensed companies.
- Official subtitles, dubbed translations, and releases by established distributors (e.g., Funimation, Crunchyroll, VIZ Media, etc.).
- Translations commissioned or produced by the creators themselves. These translations are generally considered the most reliable, as they undergo extensive review processes to ensure the content is accurately represented in the target language. There are some issues though, such as purposeful localization changes, blatant mistranslations, and misunderstandings of scenes. However one should note that this does not dismiss the entire content unless the whole content is proven to be unreliable.
- Manga, anime, or video game translations officially done by the creators or licensed companies.
- Reputable Translation Teams: This includes teams that are well-known and respected within the community. Examples include:
- Legends of Localization: Run by professional translators such as Tomato, this team provides highly detailed translations and is considered an authority in translation accuracy.
- Freelance Translators: Freelance translators such as Windii, who have spent nine years learning the language and has public videos directly translating Sonic scenes and showing what's wrong with their English counterparts would be a reputable source. Though as she says in her own blog, nine years is still not nearly enough to fully understand a language so she isn't a full professional.
- Verified Fan Translation Groups: Established and trusted fan translation teams that have a reputation for thoroughness and consistency. These teams often specialize in specific media (e.g., visual novels, anime, obscure manga) and have a proven track record of accurate translations. Normally they surpass even the original translation team.
These sources are preferred because they have undergone rigorous translation processes, either through official channels or vetted translators with strong expertise.
- Dubious Translators: For translators that aren't exactly reputable but they're within a community that can back up a lot of their translations or correct them if they're wrong, these are the least reputable out of this list though due to being large communities where anyone can come in and just make things up. Examples include:
- Reddit-based translations (e.g., r/translator), which often rely on community volunteers rather than professional or established translators.
- Fandom-based translations, which often rely on community volunteers rather than professional or established translators.
Unacceptable Translation Sources
The following sources or methods of translation are not allowed on the Codex due to the potential for inaccuracies or unverifiable claims:
- Machine Translations: Automated translations (e.g., Google Translate, DeepL) or translations derived from such tools are not accepted. While these tools can be useful for rough translations, they often miss nuances and context, resulting in inaccurate or misleading translations.
- This includes translations where machine tools are used to "reword" text from non-machine translated sources. Relying on these tools compromises the authenticity of the translation.
- This is especially problematic because many languages contain words with multiple meanings or contextual nuances that a machine would fail to recognize. Machines cannot interpret these subtle variations or the context within scenes, leading to translations that lack accuracy or convey unintended meanings.
- Unverified Community Translations: Translations from forums, websites, or users (whether random or well-known within this community) where the source cannot be verified as a reliable translator are not considered credible. Examples include:
- Any forums where "self-claimed experts" translate media without verification of their proficiency or credentials. These sources can lead to varying degrees of inaccuracy because the community members may lack the necessary context, knowledge, or skills to ensure a high-quality translation.
- External Image-based Translations: Images with translated text (e.g., imgur links or screenshots of translated content) are not considered valid unless they come from a reputable, verified source.
- While images might offer quick translations, they can be easily altered or fabricated, making them unreliable as primary sources.
- Unreliable Sources: Websites or individuals claiming to be translators without substantial evidence of expertise or without verifiable credentials. This includes:
- Websites that offer translations but have no visible proof of professional or expert translators.
- Individuals who claim fluency in a language without providing evidence or credentials, especially if their translations are inconsistent or clearly incorrect.
- Forums or communities that allow non-experts to post translations without oversight. These sources often mix together different translations or use tools like machine translation combined with their own interpretation, resulting in unclear or incorrect translations.
Handling Unofficial Works
For media that do not have large-scale translation teams, such as certain niche works or those not officially translated, translations should be sourced from verified avenues. The following methods are acceptable for handling these types of works:
- Fan Translations with Credible Backgrounds: In cases where works lack official translations, fan translation teams that have demonstrated consistent accuracy and trustworthiness may be used. These include:
- Translation groups known for their professionalism and understanding of the source material.
- Fans who have established reputations in the community and are known for accurate translations over time. However, it is essential to verify these fan translations through community consensus or through comparison with other reliable sources. These translations must be carefully vetted to avoid errors or discrepancies with the original content.
- Community Verification: Where applicable, translation accuracy may be verified through discussions or multiple sources within the translation community. This process involves:
- Cross-checking translations with other fans who are fluent in the original language or have extensive experience with the material.
- Looking for third-party verification or endorsements from reputable individuals or groups in the translation field. This method ensures that even works without official translations can be represented accurately, as long as the translation passes community scrutiny.
- Limited Scope Translations: Some works might have only partial translations (e.g., certain volumes or chapters of a series), and in these cases, it's important to clearly note which portions of the work have been translated and by whom. These translations should always be accompanied by:
- Citations of the source and translator.
- Notes regarding the official status (e.g., unofficial, fan-translated) and any relevant context to clarify the scope of the translation.
Potential Questions
- Q: I am a user who knows this language very well. Aren't my translations reputable?
- A: While it's entirely possible you're not lying, the fact of the matter is we'd rather be safe than sorry. Unless you're reputable among a community with other known translators who can verify you, we do not accept translations.
- Q: Why are forum/powerscaling-related translators not allowed?
- A: To ensure extra steps, as many of these translations are used for statistical upgrades or downgrades. A non-powerscaling translator would not find much use in this, so they raise fewer suspicions when they bring them forth. However, a powerscaling translator can easily manipulate evidence. This is not to say they all do this, but it is better to be safe than sorry.
- Q: How can I prove my credibility?
- A: In many cases, it will be very unlikely, as it would require being well-known within the translation community and having them verify you as a reputable translation source—something that seems unlikely just to be able to translate things here.
- Q: I have an X series that has no real English translations, but my friends know the language, and it's pretty much impossible to get everything translated through the avenues you gave. Isn't there any potential exception here?
- A: Sadly, no. We cannot accept "friends" knowing the language and translating for you, as there's no real way to verify anything being said. If a verse is that unapproachable, it might be better to wait and hope either a reputable fan translation team covers it or it gets officially localized.
Conclusion
Accurate translations are vital for maintaining the integrity of the Codex. By adhering to these guidelines, users can ensure that the information shared on the platform is based on trustworthy and reputable sources. When uncertain about the validity of a translation, it is always best to consult multiple sources or seek confirmation from verified translation communities before adding the content to the Codex.
Remember, the goal is to provide users with reliable, contextually accurate information about the media and characters in question, ensuring that the Codex remains a valuable and authoritative resource.