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Question about english writing




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Rozzer



Joined: 06 Jul 2003
Posts: 344
Location: So Cali
PostPosted: Thu Apr 08, 2004 3:33 am Reply with quote
I was wondering about the english writing that you see throughout anime that's either on signs or some other object.
So did the animators in Japan originally write the text in English, or was it later edited when it was translated into subtitles?
Because in Outlaw Star episode 23 Hot Springs Planet Tenrei I noticed both english on some signs, and then someone was holding a sign that was writen in Japanese. What's goin on? Anime dazed
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DarK1977



Joined: 30 Mar 2004
Posts: 11
Location: Russia
PostPosted: Thu Apr 08, 2004 3:59 am Reply with quote
I think that english writing were in the original because I saw much anime with fansubtitles and there were text in English too. I mean inscriptions on signboards, indexes, etc. This reception frequently meets in anime. And the writings are not only in English. For example, in the Cowboy Bebop were writing in Russian.
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God_of_Evil



Joined: 26 Jan 2004
Posts: 176
Location: A place with limited Anime
PostPosted: Thu Apr 08, 2004 8:31 am Reply with quote
I think this has ben said before, but can't Japan interests in other countries, too? I mean it's not only us that are interested in their culture, they're interested in ours too.(Remembering Puffy music video from Hit List Special Anime smile )
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littlegreenwolf



Joined: 10 Aug 2002
Posts: 4796
Location: Seattle, WA
PostPosted: Thu Apr 08, 2004 8:58 am Reply with quote
Usually, when you see English writing in an anime, it was there originally. Some cases though, in the case of Sailormoon, where a show was dubbed and Americanized, the dubbers went over most of the signs with airbrushes, and made them into English. The airbrushed though really takes some money, so most companies try avoiding doing so.

A good example of English writing in an anime would be Fullmetal Alchemist. Apparently in that anime the universal written language is English, because signs and letters you see throughout the show have it.
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Rozzer



Joined: 06 Jul 2003
Posts: 344
Location: So Cali
PostPosted: Thu Apr 08, 2004 9:33 am Reply with quote
That's what I thought at first, was them air brushing over the Japanese text with english. But now that I know they wrote a majority of signs whatnot in English, it's all much clearer Wink
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Rozzer



Joined: 06 Jul 2003
Posts: 344
Location: So Cali
PostPosted: Thu Apr 08, 2004 9:35 am Reply with quote
You missed the whole question behind my post, I was just curious about what was originally written. I wasn't trying to say Japan isn't interested in cultures other than their own Wink
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Tony K.
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Joined: 18 Nov 2003
Posts: 12083
Location: Frisco, TX
PostPosted: Thu Apr 08, 2004 10:12 am Reply with quote
AcidBastard wrote:
You missed the whole question behind my post, I was just curious about what was originally written. I wasn't trying to say Japan isn't interested in cultures other than their own Wink

I think you might have answered your own question, then. I think the reason you see signs and stuff written in English on a Japanese production is because of the interest in American culture. English is, after all, the most dominant langauge in the world, well maybe second only to money... Laughing

I'm sure the creators and writers who put the English text in these shows are just putting it there as a result of American culture and English language influences. And if you also didn't notice, if you ever watch anime in subs, you notice they also say certain words in English too.

I'm no cultural sociologist though, so don't completely take my word for it, but this is just my theory. Wink
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Swordfish_II



Joined: 05 Nov 2003
Posts: 617
PostPosted: Thu Apr 08, 2004 10:20 am Reply with quote
If you're are talking about the signs during the prolouge for that episode, I believe the English text was digital overlays, as the text on the sign did not "rattle" with the animation in the background.
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ShellBullet



Joined: 20 Mar 2003
Posts: 1051
Location: I hit things, with my fist.
PostPosted: Thu Apr 08, 2004 3:01 pm Reply with quote
Now I've never been to Japan, maybe someone who has can correct me, but aren't alot of signs over then in English already? I remember my sensei (who is Japanese) saying that most signs were in English, Kanji, and Hiragana. Question
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Quintron



Joined: 14 Feb 2003
Posts: 19
Location: japan
PostPosted: Fri Apr 09, 2004 10:16 am Reply with quote
Yes, it is true, English is everywhere here, but not always the most accurate.

take a look at www.engrish.com if you hadn't already...

~Q
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ShellBullet



Joined: 20 Mar 2003
Posts: 1051
Location: I hit things, with my fist.
PostPosted: Sat Apr 10, 2004 1:28 am Reply with quote
Quintron wrote:
Yes, it is true, English is everywhere here, but not always the most accurate.

take a look at www.engrish.com if you hadn't already...

~Q


Arigato, You make me day. Laughing
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