Ranma ½ Ranma Saotome: Agent of SHIELD.
- Thread starter Fellgrave
- Start date
Noted. What about when referring to multiple gods in a non-Judeo-Christian view? In my Naruto fic, I have a character refer to multiple divine beings... ah, here it is:
Is it still too much, or should I turn it into 'gods'?
Also, on Ranma and the use of nicknames such as Ucchan and other such shortenings, can I get away with it?
Also, on Ranma and the use of nicknames such as Ucchan and other such shortenings, can I get away with it?
Ok first off, ignore that guy he likes Akane Tendo.
But on a more serious note, you've haven't really included enough Japanese terms yet to meet the requirements for the word "Gratuitous" to be used. If you just keep it at the level you've shown so far and limit the use of Japanese to conversations between Japanese characters (i.e. ranma and kasumi) you should be fine.
If/when you're writing dialogue for Ranma or any Japanese character the use of the word Kami is also fine. Ranma calling Ukyo Ucchan is also perfectly fine.
I've read plenty of gratuitous Japanese fics and you're no where near their level. Just avoid using too many honorifics (san/sama/dono etc.) and no one will be able to seriously accuse you of anything.
Your audience is people that read anime and comic book fanfiction.
Anyone from that group that would think negatively of you because you seem like a "weaboo" should be looking into a mirror instead of critiquing a draft of anime and comic book fanfiction on a forum because they just couldn't wait for its official release date.
And on a more personal note, I've been reading/watching manga and anime since I was about 7 years old, and fanfiction since I was 12. As a result I've learned many terms and phrases from multiple languages. At 22 years of age I can honestly say that this has enriched my life for the better.
If the idea of learning one or two foreign language terms (that aren't even that relevant to your story's plot) is so repulsive to someone that they feel like they must call you a weaboo instead of just using google, not having them as part of your audience wouldn't be tragedy.
EDIT: Alright I kinda see what he was talking about, the Yuki-Onna thing is a little niche. I've only ever seen the term in Rosario + Vampire and a pokedex entry on bulbagarden. You might want to define Yuki-Onna in a footnote at the end of your chapter or something. It's definitely a much less commonly used term than kami or gaijin. The rest of my post still stands though.
But on a more serious note, you've haven't really included enough Japanese terms yet to meet the requirements for the word "Gratuitous" to be used. If you just keep it at the level you've shown so far and limit the use of Japanese to conversations between Japanese characters (i.e. ranma and kasumi) you should be fine.
If/when you're writing dialogue for Ranma or any Japanese character the use of the word Kami is also fine. Ranma calling Ukyo Ucchan is also perfectly fine.
I've read plenty of gratuitous Japanese fics and you're no where near their level. Just avoid using too many honorifics (san/sama/dono etc.) and no one will be able to seriously accuse you of anything.
Your audience is people that read anime and comic book fanfiction.
Anyone from that group that would think negatively of you because you seem like a "weaboo" should be looking into a mirror instead of critiquing a draft of anime and comic book fanfiction on a forum because they just couldn't wait for its official release date.
And on a more personal note, I've been reading/watching manga and anime since I was about 7 years old, and fanfiction since I was 12. As a result I've learned many terms and phrases from multiple languages. At 22 years of age I can honestly say that this has enriched my life for the better.
If the idea of learning one or two foreign language terms (that aren't even that relevant to your story's plot) is so repulsive to someone that they feel like they must call you a weaboo instead of just using google, not having them as part of your audience wouldn't be tragedy.
EDIT: Alright I kinda see what he was talking about, the Yuki-Onna thing is a little niche. I've only ever seen the term in Rosario + Vampire and a pokedex entry on bulbagarden. You might want to define Yuki-Onna in a footnote at the end of your chapter or something. It's definitely a much less commonly used term than kami or gaijin. The rest of my post still stands though.
To be fair, from a literary perspective there is no reason to include honorifics in an English fic unless it has some bearing to the story and there isn't an English equivalent. The use of honorifics in fanfics is more of a habit that has become commonplace. Its a little different with things like nicknames and techniques though. Personally, I prefer the Japanese names for techniques because seeing "Fierce Tiger Domineering" or "Ninja Centerfold Technique" just seems odd to me after reading scanslations/watching fansubs.
Though... instead of Yuki-onna, i'd go with shinigami.
Though... instead of Yuki-onna, i'd go with shinigami.
From a readers perspective honorifics can be a good way to show various levels of respect and different character interactions without going into overt repetitive descriptions of it in english. So yes there is a literary perspective to do so, because there are some words that just don't translate easily or at all between the two.
If you put "name-dono" that's going to instantly imply a very high level of respect, nothing else needs to be added. (short of it being said in a sarcastic way) English equivalents are clunky or would not be used in todays language at all.
The problem that develops into a bad habit is when you get people who use them frivolously, in the wrong way, or with characters who would otherwise not be using them. And obviously the people who try to use entire phrases should realize their error and just stop writing all together.
And being that a yuki-onna is specifically a snow woman, it fits much better than some generic shinigami for that description.
If you put "name-dono" that's going to instantly imply a very high level of respect, nothing else needs to be added. (short of it being said in a sarcastic way) English equivalents are clunky or would not be used in todays language at all.
The problem that develops into a bad habit is when you get people who use them frivolously, in the wrong way, or with characters who would otherwise not be using them. And obviously the people who try to use entire phrases should realize their error and just stop writing all together.
And being that a yuki-onna is specifically a snow woman, it fits much better than some generic shinigami for that description.
Meh... I do not think Fellgrave has used the honorifics in at least the stories I've read enough to warrant a throttling back of them.
And it could be far worse.. as annoying as overuse of Japanese honorifics can be, overuse of *translated* honorifics in English can be worse. Even in a series canon material I've seen this happen. Nuku Nuku TV for example I literally would cringe every time Ryounoske would address his own mother in English dub as 'Miss'...
And it could be far worse.. as annoying as overuse of Japanese honorifics can be, overuse of *translated* honorifics in English can be worse. Even in a series canon material I've seen this happen. Nuku Nuku TV for example I literally would cringe every time Ryounoske would address his own mother in English dub as 'Miss'...
it also sort of depends on the feeling you are trying to get across in your story. I'd mostly look to the official english translations (both manga and anime) for cues on what honorifics (or other words) to use and when.
Especially in the newer translations. They're usually pretty good at striking an ok balance.
but I can see where Ero-Senin is coming from.
when there's a perfectly cromulent English equivalent that makes sense in context, its better to just use the English equivalent.
In other words, you've translated the rest of the sentence already, why leave a word out?
Especially in the newer translations. They're usually pretty good at striking an ok balance.
but I can see where Ero-Senin is coming from.
when there's a perfectly cromulent English equivalent that makes sense in context, its better to just use the English equivalent.
In other words, you've translated the rest of the sentence already, why leave a word out?
Wow, I honestly was not expecting this kind of response. Thanks guys, thank you a lot.
...now only if I could get feedback like this for my original fiction (shamelessly plugs link in signature) I'd be golden...
I will be changing the gaijin/foreigner part.
As for Doc Doom, well, I figure the main reason Ranma isn't hasty to challenge him is mostly due to the fact that Nodoka brought up Nuclear Weapons. While Ranma doesn't mind a tough opponent, Doom is one that is more than willing to cause immense amounts of civilian casualties and collateral damage to get his way.
...now only if I could get feedback like this for my original fiction (shamelessly plugs link in signature) I'd be golden...
I will be changing the gaijin/foreigner part.
As for Doc Doom, well, I figure the main reason Ranma isn't hasty to challenge him is mostly due to the fact that Nodoka brought up Nuclear Weapons. While Ranma doesn't mind a tough opponent, Doom is one that is more than willing to cause immense amounts of civilian casualties and collateral damage to get his way.
Hmm, nice.
I was confused when Nodoka said she's watching TV, first thought her father was an actor. I'm used to people saying "I'm watching video / something on video" in that situation.
Here's a scene outline you might want to use in future, modify or ignore outright. It's set in Air Carrier cafeteria, or some other place that might see use of canned foodstuffs. Tony Stark is there, armored, along with lots of agents. He says something particulary insensitive / stupid, even by his standard. He is about to get lynched by mob of furious women, when he says "defense mode on" and basically goes turtle: the armor curls into a ball, only presenting heavily armored back, front of shins and sides of arms. Enter Ranma, who picks perfectly mundane, mass produced, store bought can opener, and, after excessive amount of Ki infusion, actually manages to cut Tony out as if he was a roll of tuna. I'd consider that poetic.
I was confused when Nodoka said she's watching TV, first thought her father was an actor. I'm used to people saying "I'm watching video / something on video" in that situation.
Here's a scene outline you might want to use in future, modify or ignore outright. It's set in Air Carrier cafeteria, or some other place that might see use of canned foodstuffs. Tony Stark is there, armored, along with lots of agents. He says something particulary insensitive / stupid, even by his standard. He is about to get lynched by mob of furious women, when he says "defense mode on" and basically goes turtle: the armor curls into a ball, only presenting heavily armored back, front of shins and sides of arms. Enter Ranma, who picks perfectly mundane, mass produced, store bought can opener, and, after excessive amount of Ki infusion, actually manages to cut Tony out as if he was a roll of tuna. I'd consider that poetic.
...must you have Ranma seduce men?
It's fairly interesting still. Oh, and as to a comment you made a lot earlier, with using Kami for foreign deities...the plural of Kami is NOT Kamis. It is Kami. I agree that using a lot of japanese words in an effort to pretend your characters are talking in a foreign language is one of the most horrible mistakes an author can make. However, to ignore the suffixes (san, sama, kun, etc.) is not necesairy. There is a reason so many english-translated manga still keep them and that is because it is an integral part of the japanese language and culture which explains a lot about the relationships and tone between the people involved. To not use them means that in the original context there is no difference to be seen between "Greetings mr. Renier." and "Greetings cute little Renier." or "Greetings you sonuvabitch Renier.". The only other exceptions where using japanese in writing fanfiction is acceptable is either you write the full sentence in japanese AND the intention is that they deliberately switched to Japanese when before they weren't speaking it and the people around them do not speak Japanese or are not meant to, or when using names of techniques. Amaguriken or what have you. Because it's technically a name/title.
Well, keep writing, but please use less stealth homo-eroticism (even if it's never intended to pan out).
It's fairly interesting still. Oh, and as to a comment you made a lot earlier, with using Kami for foreign deities...the plural of Kami is NOT Kamis. It is Kami. I agree that using a lot of japanese words in an effort to pretend your characters are talking in a foreign language is one of the most horrible mistakes an author can make. However, to ignore the suffixes (san, sama, kun, etc.) is not necesairy. There is a reason so many english-translated manga still keep them and that is because it is an integral part of the japanese language and culture which explains a lot about the relationships and tone between the people involved. To not use them means that in the original context there is no difference to be seen between "Greetings mr. Renier." and "Greetings cute little Renier." or "Greetings you sonuvabitch Renier.". The only other exceptions where using japanese in writing fanfiction is acceptable is either you write the full sentence in japanese AND the intention is that they deliberately switched to Japanese when before they weren't speaking it and the people around them do not speak Japanese or are not meant to, or when using names of techniques. Amaguriken or what have you. Because it's technically a name/title.
Well, keep writing, but please use less stealth homo-eroticism (even if it's never intended to pan out).