The future of novel translations?

Weltall Elite · Post by **Weltall Elite** » Thu Dec 01, 2005 6:14 pm

Well, maybe you're right. But until we hear that she's quit doing it or would like some help with it, I see no reason that other FMP stories can't be worked on in the meantime if we have someone willing to help.

Look, Brandi has no legal claim on the stories. Look how many fansubbers translate the same animes. No one's saying, "Oh, they were first so we'll let them have it." So from that standpoint, I suppose there's no ethical reason that someone else can't translate COMO either. But I also think that since she's the reason any of us have gotten to read it in the first place, and she's taken great pride in doing it, we should give her a bit of a break when she's got a plate full before we start looking for replacements.

I'm not critizing you or anything like that. On some level, maybe I agree with you. All I'm asking is that we give her a little more time. And if nothing happens, then we can always start looking in a different direction.

PookaKitten · Post by **PookaKitten** » Thu Dec 01, 2005 6:44 pm

Here's another reason why I'd suggest working on the short stories. I don't know about anyone else, but I'd find translating a novel as my first major translation to be overwhelming.

My interpretation from what WE said is that it would be disrespectful to translate COMO while Brandi is still interested in doing it. For doing such a huge amount of work for free for our enjoyment, the least we can do is show some respect for her wishes.

Here's an alternative idea if folks still want the novels translated. Brandi doesn't have any intention of translating the ones before End of Day by Day. Start with the first one and go from there. It'd be interesting to see how the anime and novels differ.

Samantha

Post by **Taurec** » Thu Dec 01, 2005 7:16 pm

What wishes ??? Right now it's all based on assumptions and hypothetical / "hear say" / "might or might not" toe step situations.
Fact is we don't know what she wants. (yet)

Anyway the first few novels would be a cool start...

ZyreX · Post by **ZyreX** » Thu Dec 01, 2005 7:17 pm

Ok first ill state that I havent read the novels nor do I know more about Bandi other than that she made some translations of the novels,
so ill state my opinion as an outsider of this topic.

She doesnt own the novels so why shouldnt anyone else get a chance to translate the novells?
If she gets dissappointed cause someone else translated something she was going to translate (sometime when she see's fit) it would be a bit egoistic imo..

everyone in the fan world has every right as she does to translate novels
and fansubs.

I can't see the problem in this thread...

And disrespectful to Brandi ???
how? If one claims that Brandis translated work was his own, that would be disrepectful.

If someone else translates something Brandi hasn't translated and if she complains..
Id say that would be disrespectful to the one that translated.. Brandi has no right to complain about it cause she started translating the novels...

// Best Regards ZyreX

Weltall Elite · Post by **Weltall Elite** » Thu Dec 01, 2005 8:13 pm

Well, I've already said all that's true from a logical standpoint. But logic can be cold, and I don't necessarily think it's the right thing to do. If she were charging us for it or intentionally holding out on us, things would be different, but that's not the case. And it wouldn't hurt to wait a little longer.

Still, I'm all for finding out Brandi's stance on this.

Besides... I'd hate to blow any chance of her EVER getting back to work on them.

Circle · Post by **Circle** » Thu Dec 01, 2005 8:20 pm

Translating some of the short stories might be a good way to start. It's an easier transition than jumping right into COMO. And if people like your work and what you're doing with the short stories, you'll get more support and help with COMO when you feel more ready to translate it.

Traverse · Post by **Traverse** » Thu Dec 01, 2005 9:34 pm

I'm probably just joining the chorus but the short stories would be the best route.

Not only are they shorter, they are stepping stones for experience. You can read one story in a go in its intended language within so many minutes. Unlike novels, you're afforded a chance to re-read the piece in its entirety multiple times. This makes for a cleaner, better translation overall.

You can also simply avoid the entire moral dilemma (for a while at least) that seems to be hovering as stated previously.

Shewolf of Ga · Post by **Shewolf of Ga** » Fri Dec 02, 2005 1:05 pm

Wolfie agrees with WE on this one. From her last post on Boku-Tachi, it sounds like our hardworking Brandi fully intends on finishing what she started, just maybe not in a timeframe that makes all us FMP junkies happy. I know from personal experience (I'm trying to write a novel) that life often intrudes upon our creative energies. I say wrok on the earlier novels and short stories for the time being, and cut Brandi some slack. She's done a lot of work for us, and we ought to the thankful to her.

KashimArbalestAS · Post by **KashimArbalestAS** » Fri Dec 02, 2005 10:55 pm

I know that I'm reiterating on so many other people, but I believe that the main story of FMP! should be left to Brandi. She's continued with the translations with quality and with a sense of diligence and passion. I also agree that if anybody wants to do the short stories, that would be awesome, but if someone intends to translate the main story outside of Boku-Tachi, I won't be reading them. Everybody has their own writing styles and experiences with literature, and I find Brandi's skill and techniques sublime. Here's a person who has translated many FMP! novels with her own time and energy for the sake of us FMP! fans among other reasons. For those who want to know the latest and such, find the other ways to get your information, don't do away with empathy in your haste for the latest and start suggesting that someone else should be partnered up with or replace Brandi, unless that is what she really wants. I'd be sad if I see someone taking over Brandi.

Post by **Taurec** » Fri Dec 02, 2005 11:36 pm

Guess you won't be buying the ADV/Darkhorse? ones if they get licensed

Other then learning Japanese I don't see many "other" ways.
I would be happy .. (boooo booooo heartless bastard... <eg> )

AEmer · Post by **AEmer** » Sat Dec 03, 2005 12:53 am

heh. Don't you all thinkg we should give Gatoh a little more time?

I mean...it's his intellectual property...shouldn't we like...wait for him to make an official move?, rather than leave the translations to this Brandi character?

...

This is absurd. Here we are, someone willing to give translating a poke, and people are actually being conservative about it, making it seem like you should tread lightly on this issue for some reason.

Brandi didn't tread lightly, she took up a big project, and I love the fact that she had the daring and tenacity to do so. I love her work.

Even so, I recognize that she does not have trouble translating someone else's material, without asking. I think it is unfair to weigh a newcome translater with some moral burden towards her, of all people, when it comes to material that is not her intellectual property, material that she hasn't even translated yet herself.

I for one will support, morally atleast, any one translater with the same tenacity and ambition as her who chooses to pick up anything that relates to FMP.

That is all.

KashimArbalestAS · Post by **KashimArbalestAS** » Sat Dec 03, 2005 2:06 am

I meant other translators, not companies where you can buy legal translated novels. That would be like swearing your fealty to some fansubber group.

sj4iy · Post by **sj4iy** » Sat Dec 03, 2005 4:06 am

For those who don't know, I'm Brandi.

I haven't quit. We haven't given up on the project. This year has just been very eventful for everyone involved in the project and has made it hard to be as consistant as we have been in the past. I don't keep up the website, so I don't often put messages on there to let people know what I'm doing (which I don't like doing anyway, b/c it makes me seem more important than I really am- everyone in our group works hard, and not many of them get the credit they deserve for it). Anyway, I've never liked giving excuses, but the long hiatus has been due to stuff going on in my life- a list which includes moving, getting jobs, losing jobs, marriage, and recently a death in my family as well as being sick for the past two months. The editor also had stuff to take care of. Everyone knows that we do this for free in our spare time- but the amount of time it takes to work on the novels has been tremendous, and it takes away from anything else one needs or wants to do. As always, I appreciate those who understand and have been patient. I guess I will go ahead and say that we will release the next part sometime within the next few weeks. This is a FACT. I cannot say with what consistancy we will release the rest of the book, only that we will.

I hope that has answered some questions.

KiLlEr · Post by **KiLlEr** » Sat Dec 03, 2005 5:55 am

* KiLlEr falls to his knees and bows infront of Brandi

We're not worthy!
We're not worthy!
We're not worthy!
We're not worthy!

pachogamez · Post by **pachogamez** » Sat Dec 03, 2005 8:47 am

Well, I'm new on teh forums so, HI!!

On the other hand ...

... *bowing* to Brandi ...

hope that things go well for you and THANKS !!