Comments on Reading - Rachel

 I found it interesting to read both Copeland and Hibbett's approach in translating dialect. As we discussed in class, we can't conclude for example that Kansai dialect sounds more "comical" than 標準語. I think it's challenging to find an approach to translating dialect and distinct tone of voice. Although it seems like Hibbett is not 100% satisfied, I like how he approached translating the Kansai dialect in Manji into a waspish and wicked undertone. He mentioned that rather than finding a dialectal equivalent, it is better to find a special voice, one that would read persuasively and convey the same feeling evoked in the original Japanese text. We talked in class about using Southern accents or Scottish accents, but I think this approach gives it a better contrast between the neutral voice versus the dialect. Oftentimes, the accents itself have a whole different image than the one we are trying to translate. For example, a Southern accent doesn't necessarily have the same voice as a Kansai dialect. What I think is tricky is to find a distinct special voice without stereotyping the dialect. Kansai dialect can come off as more playful and comical, but that might not be what the author was intending on portraying in the original. Copeland also talked about the struggle of keeping the voice of the character when focusing too much on capturing the dialect. This balance is challenging because the rhythm and expressions make up a certain voice, not just the dialect.

Copeland's point about working with Knopf who focused on sales and appealing to the target audience of the translated work was very intriguing. Obviously, Japanese literary style is quite different from English, and each audience is more familiar with a certain style. From a business perspective, it makes sense that they are editing and marketing it towards the intended audience. However, I was reluctant to completely agree with that statement because if the "style" of the original was concept-driven and meandering, then I would think it is better to keep it like that. When Copeland then talked about the experience of exhilaration and excitement being the same, I understand it more as to why editors are inclined to appeal to the target audience. The more plot-driven, fast-paced nature of the translated work might give the "equivalent" reading experience as the concept-driven, meandering nature of the original. In that sense, I agree that now, the translation is staying truer to the original in terms of the reader's experience.