I’ve come to realize that I am very passionate about localization, even though I’m nowhere near fluent in Japanese.
There are many instances where, even with my very limited knowledge, I’ll find that the translation for things is done in a way that loses a lot of the intended impact, or it’ll just be straight up wrong.
Looking at you, FF14.
Anyway, I figured this would be a good place for me to ask, since I’m sure there are a few people with experience in or looking into getting into localizing here.
Obviously becoming very fluent in the language is probably step 1, and I’m working on it. I’m curious about what the process is to actually localize professionally.
6 comments
>I’ve come to realize that I am very passionate about localization, even though I’m nowhere near fluent in Japanese.
You’re thinking way too far ahead. Work on becoming fluent first, then think about localizing. No point in wasting time/energy finding a project, then realizing it might take years to be able to translate it correctly.
well something you have to keep in mind, if you want to localise you have to be extremely well knowledgable in BOTH languages, the one you translate from and the one you translate. and being a native english speaker is not enough btw
I’d say actually KNOW your native language. Yea you know it but do you actually know it? I can say I know English but still made simple punctuation errors back in 12th grade but if still want to. I recommend starting off with very very simple sentences to get you used to it I also recommend just taking the language in for what it is and worry about the native equivalent to your language later when you’re actually used to the language.
The thing that really helped me start seriously pursuing professional translation was the Michigan State University Japanese Pop Culture and Transmedia Translation Workshop. It’s an online workshop/masterclass on localization and translation where you can get tons of advice and information from experienced industry professionals. They’re holding another one in February 2023, and it’s totally free.
From your comment it sounds like you don’t think highly of FFXIV localization, which is a bit of a shame since some interviews with the localization team and other comments that they’ve made over the years provide some great insight into the whole process and the decisions being made.
Otherwise, I always find looking at other peoples translations helpful, so it might help you as well. So maybe [https://legendsoflocalization.com/](https://legendsoflocalization.com/) might be a neat website for you to check out!
What’s stopping you from translating things now? This can be your practice.
I mean, I started translating stuff for fun after Genki 2. And some of that was Final Fantasy.
Take screenshots of what you want to translate, look up the words you don’t know. Add whatever word you want to anki.
Look up the grammar you don’t know.
If something makes no sense even after looking up the words, post a question to the daily thread and put a screenshot there of what you don’t get.
After hundreds and even thousands of screens, you’ll get better at translating them.