top of page

Popular words that stand in MY WAY​––"Dictionary" is not a panacea––

  • Writer: 弓長金参
    弓長金参
  • Dec 16, 2023
  • 2 min read

Updated: Apr 24, 2024

 "Simpler word are difficult to translate". This is one of the common translation rules.


 Difficult technical terms may seem difficult at first glance, but they are easy to translate.

 This is because technical terms have many corresponding translations (This is called a fixed translations).

 In addition, many of these manuscripts are stylistically accurate, it's surprisingly easy to understand once you know the technical terms.

Difficult Terminology

 The other way, there are things that seem easy at first glance, but are extremely difficult.

 The representative is popular words of Manga.

Buzzword

 When I translated a Taiwanese Manga before, the lines said "" in Chinese.

 In Chinese,"" is also "". It is just a radical; there is no word for "" by itself. "" is a radical that expresses the state of moving forward, such as running or walking.

 Based on this, it is sometimes used to mean "Go". It is a type of buzzword used mainly by young people on blogs.​

Popular words on SNS

 Manga targets young people as readers, there are many buzzwords and deliberately paraphrased expressions, the level of difficulty will increase.

 The content itself is very simple and the nuances are easy to understand, but when I try to translate it, I can't find the words. Because I don't know the exact meaning.


 Similarly, The Internet terminology is difficult to understand.

 Currently, the term "C rank" is popular in China.

Internet terminology

 A, B, C... so you tend to imagine that they are "third-player" or "third-rate", but that's not the case.

 The "C" for Carry or Canter. It is said to have become popular, referring to an important person who leads everyone.


 Buzzwords that have spread throughout society and can be looked up quickly are relatively easy to translation, but before obtaining citizenship, buzzwords used only by specific groups are difficult to research and make translators cry.

 "Do through research online", this is the only solution.


 From highly specialized manuscripts full of difficult technical terms, translation-sensitive media such as manga and games can be said to be highly difficult.

 On the other hand, the point that I can enjoy manga works as an individual while working is that I feel it's beneficial.

bottom of page