Question How do you decide on which novel to translate?

I asked my mom.

 

I have a specific list on NU that's basically "cool novels that aren't currently being translated", and whenever I run across a dropped novel where I'm dying to read it in my native language, I add it in. When it comes time to pick a novel to translate, I choose one from there based on whether or not I liked however much is already translated, and how well the author did in their other works. My Chinese isn't that great, so I'm a bit limited in terms of genre - I find it difficult to read historical novels in particular, so I try to stick to easy, modern, straightforward romance for translation when in reality I'd love to try other genres.

Unless the novel's pretty short, I skim but don't usually actually read it before translating because I lose motivation when that happens Although you're totally correct that it's running the risk of some awful ending!

Re: MTLing novels, I like to do the thing where you compare it with the raw. In addition to copy-pasting the MTL into the document I'm working on, I also copy-paste the raw into an online translator - the one I use has this automatic character dictionary where I can double-click on an unfamiliar character and up pops a little box with the definition. I like the MTL because it's super nice to already have kind of a suggestion for a word, and since my Chinese is weak, I feel better having some reassurance that I read it right. I more or less find myself completely rewriting most sentences as part of the editing, anyway.

 

So far, I've only worked on two novels. The first one was selected for me since I was actually hired, so not much in terms of freedom of choice with that one, while the second one was just selected off the NUF novel request threads.

In selecting that second one, among the things I considered were 1) whether the novel was complete, 2) what were the genre and general themes, 3) how many chapters there were, 4) who was the publisher, and 5) if I liked the writing style.

There certainly was some demand for the novel since it was on the request thread; level of demand does not matter to me much in any case. At that time, I was pretty much looking for an already completed novel with a manageable amount of chapters, and I wanted something different from my previous novel in terms of genre and themes. Consideration 4 was to avoid stepping on anyone's toes (ahem, ahem), and consideration 5 was out of immense headaches I've gotten from reading some other novels before this.

At the end of the day though, you do you. Everyone has a different set of priorities which may change at given times.

 

hey all here are todays videos

 

@frostcrystal That's a really good idea! I should start a list of my own.

We seem to be the opposite. I'm much more comfortable translating historical novels over modern day ones. Maybe we can swap tips?

I chose my current project based on what I was comfortable with. I had already started reading when the translator decided to drop it so I was invested in the story. I was comfortable with the historical Palace Intrigue setting too thanks to binge watching so many ancient setting dramas. When I saw the request on the pickup forum, I went for it. It's my first project but I'm loving it so far! Choose what speaks to you~

 

If I'm getting paid then I couldn't care less, otherwise if its for my personal blog, I skim the first few chaps, the middle, and the ending. I don't really mind if a story goes to shit really as long as the writing and phrasing is nice enough to read.

 

If I'm motivated.
If not, I'll translate anything for newbi translator if they need help for the first few chapters to get TMX translation memories going.

 

@xiazixin What are TMX translation memories?

 

Translate memory is exactly what it says in Wikipedia, which help translateors to get the quility under control and consistency. So a good translation memories can make a newbi translator translate better.

 

https://forum.novelupdates.com/threads/newbie-“translator”.101499/
I think I posted a tmx file some where under this post.

edit : oh this is aa dead thread dammit i revive it.

 

Thanks for explaining!

 

I just read your latest chapter! I'm relieved you haven't dropped it yet, it's one of my favourites. ^_^ I would love to chat and swap tips sometime.