thread/17983/Accurate-End-of-Evangelion-subtitles/
I was working in creating new subs for EoE from scratch using 3 different scripts as basis.
The work is finally done and the subs are now out.
EDIT: Current version, 1.3 (Added most of Reichu's suggestions. Added the "Death-threat" letters translations CORRECTED from Herkz's release on the Honorific subs. Added a period missing after "Lt")
https://mega.nz/#F!3kQChSjB!JYZ0Zb-81RMjJSygIwrzRw
I'm not sure if creating a new thread was adequate, If any admin dislikes it, we can merge it back to the older thread. But that thread wasn't getting much visibility, and just editing my last post wasn't going to help people see the announcement of the new subs.
pwhodges did an awesome thorough job doing the final QC for the subs, needed for me to call them 1.0. I'm pretty happy with them.
There are two versions out:
1) "Standard" Version
(aka: sober, recommended to those not accustomed to Japanese or fansubing or watching eva for the first time)
*No Lyrics,
*no sufixes,
*no Translation Notes marks.
*"Senpai" said by Maya is translated as "Ritsuko,
*Surnames and Nouns are in the direct order.
2) "Honorifics" Version
(Recommended for all of us that have already watched EoE at least once)
*-san and -kun honorifics are present,
*"Senpai" is maintained (although I translated "sensei", said by Gendou as "professor"),
*lyrics for both Komm süsser tod and Hajimari e no Touji are present,
*Indirect order of Surnames preserved (Akagi, Ritsuko-kun instead of Ritsuko Akagi)
*and most importantly are the translation notes. (They are NOT long lines on the top of the video, mind you.) They are small discrete refer indexes [1], [2], [3] on the top left corner of the video, referring to full explanations of ambiguous and vague difficult terms shown by the Credits scene, or to be read on an external .doc file.
*Proper improved Timing and Typesetting on both subs. (Although not at the same level of consecrated Quality fansubers, mind you).
My job in making this new translation wasn't restricted to just triple-looking 3 different scripts and splicing them fastidiously, not at all! I have actually checked dozens and dozens of difficult lines with kanji dictionaries (as I said before, I know some Japanese myself), consulted with people that knew Japanese and good native English speakers to find the best possible translations. There are several lines that were made anew, not present in neither of the 3 scripts existing around. All of the 3 scripts had mistakes, even the best one, the bochan_bird's, had some lines too much adapted that were better on CA or Manga's version and the language was not proper for subtitles. (Mr. Tines nice subs were based almost entirely on Bochan_birds script. Better than Manga's, of course, but still not quite what we wanted)
So I really dare to say this is THE BEST POSSIBLE SUBS WE EVER HAD FOR EoE AROUND.
It's not perfect, mind you, but it's the "best" (or "least worst", you name it). Ideally, someone native in English and with advanced knowledge of Japanese should have done it, but no one ever did. At least I got some guys to help me adapting the subs in proper English, and some external help with the Japanese. More people proofreading the subs and adapting the lines would always be good, and I encourage for you guys to post suggestions and corrections, I'll always alter it and keep it updated on Mega. Making this a "wikisub project" would also be interesting, although we would need a proper platform for that.
It would be really nice if any Admin take a look at it, and if they like the subs, link the files somewhere to give it more visibility.
I've also went through several archived and older threads of translations discussions on this very forum and took some of those posts into considerations when doing my script. However, due to the low movement, my attempt of resurrecting one such thread to have more opinion and contribution for this project was fruitless. It has been a very slow forum lately, and I feel most central figures have been drifting apart. A shame.
Anyway, I haven't had someone native in English to proofread the Translation Notes, so here are them for you guys to have an Idea what sort of difficult lines I had to preserve the ambiguity (and also to improve my non-native writing).
Code: Select all
The End of Evangelion
Blu Rei Edition
Translation notes for the Brand New Subtitles made by Sephirotic.
Notes for 25’ (Air):
[1] Senpai: Veteran, senior, more experienced person, polite but could also carry a feeling of fondness.
[2] Ambiguous in the original
[3] Line triple checked. This line was incorrect in the original Manga translation (Bloat/Commie), giving the idea that Lilith came from Adam, which is incorrect. Lilith is a Source of Life LIKE Adam. This translation is the most accurate version around, adapted from Bochan_bird script.
[4] Misato is saying humans here, but she is referring to the Angels, as she has just explained, they are "just like us".
Notes for 26' (Sincerely Yours):
[5] "kokoro" (心) means literally "heart", but can also mean "mind", its feelings as well as "spirit" (or soul). This creates a lot of confusion in the noted lines because in Eva, souls exist and are also the manifestation of ones ego and mind and they are the ones responsible in shaping people's bodies. Due to that, people often failed to realize with previous translations, that people CAN AND WILL return from the LCL and that Shinji and Asuka ARE NOT the only living humans remaining.
[6] "kazu ga tarimu ga" "we're short on the number of..." It's not clear as what they are short of. It shouldn't be of Evas, like on others subs because the Kabbalah Sephirotic System has specifically 9+1 Sephiroths, and there are 9 Eva series and Unit 01, all of which are working.
[7]"Yorishiro" (依代) is a concept from Shintou of an object that receives a Kami (神) as a medium due to its importance. Fuyutsuki Also calls Rei "Yorishiro" on episode 23, as "an objectification of his despair". You can read more about it here: http://everything.explained.today/Yorishiro/
[8] "Mou ii no ne?" "ii" means "good", "ok" such as "It's ok", "It's alright". But this sentence can have several meanings and in some contexts it can be "That's enough!" It is also important to note, that it can also be used into the future, so Yui may be asking to Shinji both if he is okay in the present and/or if he will be okay from NOW on.
[9]Although the term in the Old Testament used was "Fruit of Knowledge", Fuytsuki explicitly said "Wisdom". I have decided NOT to alter it. Neither of the others subs altered it. 知恵 (chie) wisdom 知識 (chishiki) knowledge.
[10]This expression is vague by itself, it can mean both the fears of people from each other’s, as well as the fear others cause towards Shinji.
[11]"kimochi warui" The infamous final line of Eva. Hideaki Anno, the creator of Eva, stated himself that the final line was supposed to be vague and open to interpretation. The line can be used in a variety of situations, but most commonly meaning "I feel terrible" Both, psychologically or physically, such as feeling nauseous or sick. Notably, Asuka say this same line on episode 22' on a day when she was suffering from period cramps. The line is also often said by women when they think something is repulsive or disgusting to them, often said to men, as an impolite way to reject them. I personally don't like the Idea that Asuka is pushing Shinji away, especially after the characters being supposed to have improved as people in the movie and after Asuka have just caressed Shinji. However, there is a hint to what the line can mean, and that is this interview with Asuka's Seiyuu: http://kaworunagisas.tumblr.com/post/50624990410
[12] Although "hokan" (補完) means literally "complementation", the term "jinrui hokan keikaku (人類補完計画)" first heard on episode 2 is supposed to be translated as "Human Instrumentality Project". This is a citation to an American Sci-fi book with similar name. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Instrumentality_of_Mankind In some cases, however, hokan is used to some inner details of the whole process, for such cases I decided to keep the literal meaning "complement/complementation" instead of adapting it to "instrumentalize" as it made more sense.
[13] Keel says "mukui" (報い: reward; recompense; return; punishment; retribution). This is another stilted mysterious and ambiguous line from Seele, such as "It’s our payback towards the Angels or our creators". But since Keel says "THIRD mukui”, he is likely referring to some process common in all the Impact events. One possible interpretation is that "Third mukui" actually is a pompous way to say "mu to kaeru", "Return to Nothing" as this is a recurring motif for the movie, even present on the original Japanese lyrics for "Komm Süsser Tod" written by Anno and its English adaptation.
[14] Fuyutuski says literally: "Inochi no taigataru" "(命の胎芽) which means literally "embryo of life". Most translations adapt this to "source of life", so did I.
Japanese Honorific suffixes explained:
"Honorific", in linguistic lingo, refers to the little prefixes, suffixes, or titles that are added to a name in most languages, like "Mr.", "Mrs.", "Dr.", "Sir" and the like. Japanese, naturally, has them. One interesting feature, however, is that there are far more of them with far more nuances of meaning than there are in other languages. They can be either attached to the end of a name, or in some cases (such as "sensei", much like the English "Professor") as standalone substitutes for names.
Etiquette is a critical part of Japanese language and culture, and honorifics are a key element in that. In general they are expressions of respect or endearment, but as with many terms in many languages, delivery — tone and emphasis — can change a title of utmost honor to a sarcastic insult. Using the wrong honorific, or the right honorific in the wrong way, can result in anything from simple disdain to (in feudal times, at least) clan warfare.
More and more often, they are used without explanation in English translations, more often in subtitles or translations of manga than in dubs. This makes sense in some contexts, such as when the characters are in a context that has a lot of Japanese cultural elements anyway, or when they are needed to prevent things being Lost in Translation, but translators have a tendency to just overdo it overall.
-san
The most common honorific, and the one most familiar to non-Japanese. Roughly equivalent to most everyday English honorifics, it is generally employed with someone of the same social station as yourself, but can be used any time you need to be generically polite. This is commonly translated and most closely related to the English "Mr." or "Ms." However, it's often dropped entirely in translations, since it's used in contexts where any honorific at all would seem excessively formal in English. (Example: high school students addressing each other with "Mr." or "Ms." would come across as overly formal)
-kun
Used with boys' names to denote familiarity or endearment; also used between peers by men, or when addressing someone younger or of a lower social standing. Despite its predominant usage with males, it can be used with girls as well, such as addressing a coworker of lower position. In particular, teachers will often use -kun for older female students. This is a way of preserving the difference in social standing, while avoiding the intimacy of an honorific such as -chan which might be considered inappropriate between teacher and student.
-senpai
Usually translated as "upperclassman" in stories set in high school or college, but it more precisely means “veteran”, "mentor" or "senior", depending on context; it is also used in workplaces, clubs, organizations etc. for employees/members with seniority in relevance to the speaker. Due to differences between romanization systems, it can be Senpai/sempai can be attached to the end of someone's name or be used on its own like Maya does here.
-sensei
Literally means "one who has come before". Usually heard in English referring to martial arts masters. Also applies to Professors, doctors, and masters of any profession or art. It is also standard for professional writers who are classed as teachers. In short, the rule of thumb runs thus: doctors, teachers, lawyers, writers and scientists who got their doctorates are called "sensei" automatically; with the others it's debatable. In recent years this has become an all-purpose suck-up word, and is now more often used sarcastically than as a genuinely respectful term.
In Eva, Shinji refers to his former guardian/tutor as “Sensei”. Where if he is an actual “Professor” or anything else, is unknown. Fuyutsuki is also called Sensei by Gendou, in the very first half of the EoE. Fuyutsuki is both a Professor, Doctor, and a Physician, all titles that can, on their own, lead to someone receiving the honorific.
(Adapted from TVTroopes)
Please excuse English mistakes in these notes, not my first language, but don’t worry, the subtitles themselves were made together with the help of two excellent native speakers who QC’d them.
Thanks for watching, more information about Eva and this release check out Evageeks and this link: https://sephirotic.wordpress.com/
By Sephirotic