CHFA | Global Languages Senior Colloquium
Translation through Text Boxes: An Analysis of Translation Practices in Pokémon Red and Pokémon Blue
Academic Level at Time of Presentation
Senior
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Major
Japanese Translation and Interpretation
Minor
Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages; Accounting
List all Project Mentors & Advisor(s)
Roxane Riegler, PhD; Ben Post, PhD; Ms. Yoko Hatakeyama
Presentation Format
Oral Presentation
Abstract/Description
Drake Harbolt
Drake Harbolt is a Japanese Translation and Interpretation major at Murray State University. He is minoring in both Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) and Accounting. With a love for foreign cultures and linguistics, he decided to study Japanese due to its beautiful culture and rich history. He studied abroad in Kyoto at Doshisha University and plans to become a financial translator/interpreter. Next year, after graduating in May of 2025, he plans on applying for the JET program and returning to Japan.
Translation through Text Boxes: An Analysis of Translation Practices in Pokémon Red and Pokémon Blue
Although Pokémon is one of Japan's most popular franchises worldwide, little research has been conducted on its translation practices. Past research mostly focuses on areas such as censorship of the games in the United States or the translation of Pokémon names. The translation of in-game dialogue has yet to be given the limelight. This paper examines translation methods and theories used for the translation of in-game dialogue of common and central plot points in the original games from 1996 and 1998, Pokémon Red and Pokémon Blue. I also offer my own translation to show how different methods change the tone and gameplay experience, and why certain stylistic choices were made in the official translation. Because of the limitations of the medium, text boxes, the translators used methods that allowed them to better convey the gameplay experience and general storyline. The English versions of the game develop a different emotionality from the original and come across as more artificial and devoid of emotion. The methods and practices applied have a great effect on the tone and style of the final translation. Furthermore, a translation with a skopos that intends to convey the original emotionality is problematic, because the differences in English and Japanese syntax, phonology, and orthography would not allow the nuance to be conveyed to the same degree.
Spring Scholars Week 2024 Event
GTL 400 Senior Colloquium
Translation through Text Boxes: An Analysis of Translation Practices in Pokémon Red and Pokémon Blue
Drake Harbolt
Drake Harbolt is a Japanese Translation and Interpretation major at Murray State University. He is minoring in both Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) and Accounting. With a love for foreign cultures and linguistics, he decided to study Japanese due to its beautiful culture and rich history. He studied abroad in Kyoto at Doshisha University and plans to become a financial translator/interpreter. Next year, after graduating in May of 2025, he plans on applying for the JET program and returning to Japan.
Translation through Text Boxes: An Analysis of Translation Practices in Pokémon Red and Pokémon Blue
Although Pokémon is one of Japan's most popular franchises worldwide, little research has been conducted on its translation practices. Past research mostly focuses on areas such as censorship of the games in the United States or the translation of Pokémon names. The translation of in-game dialogue has yet to be given the limelight. This paper examines translation methods and theories used for the translation of in-game dialogue of common and central plot points in the original games from 1996 and 1998, Pokémon Red and Pokémon Blue. I also offer my own translation to show how different methods change the tone and gameplay experience, and why certain stylistic choices were made in the official translation. Because of the limitations of the medium, text boxes, the translators used methods that allowed them to better convey the gameplay experience and general storyline. The English versions of the game develop a different emotionality from the original and come across as more artificial and devoid of emotion. The methods and practices applied have a great effect on the tone and style of the final translation. Furthermore, a translation with a skopos that intends to convey the original emotionality is problematic, because the differences in English and Japanese syntax, phonology, and orthography would not allow the nuance to be conveyed to the same degree.