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Yea! They add so much!

13 (43.3%)

Nay! They detract from the work!

17 (56.7%)

Total Members Voted: 30

[Andres]

Should English translations of Japanese media retain Japanese honorifcs? Yea or Nay? The correct answer is nay.

[Teneb]

I think the question could be extended to honorific from any language in translated works. As for an answer. .. I think it can vary quite a bit based on the work itself.

[Tack]

I'm a yea. I'd rather read "nii-san" than "older brother!", or their name when their name clearly wasn't spoken.

[itisnotlogical]

What Tack said, unless the work clearly isn't set in Japan. I think in that case it'd be appropriate to replace the honorific with an appropriate title or nickname.

[Frumple]

Long as it's consistent I don't really care all that much either way. Does tend to add a bit to the story when it's part of a translation (or someone being very careful about usage, at least), but most of the time the writing/dialogue can be adjusted so it's not necessary fairly easily and it usually doesn't add that much regardless.

As per teneb, basically. It varies based on work, or more precisely usage -- quality of the translation if it's translated, the writing if it's not. They can be a positive or a negative depending on the particular instance.

[Shadowlord]

Well, if they're in the translation, you have to know what they mean. Not that that's a bad thing, but when I looked some of them up I got giant walls of text for some reason.

[Criptfeind]

I think in general if it's not directly translatable, then I'd rather if they didn't try. But if it can be translated well enough, then I'm fine with them doing so.

[Reelya]

If it's set in Japan, I prefer they keep the honorifics and things like "senpai" and "kouhai". The senpai and kouhai system is an integral part of the Japanese culture, not just words to be translated. Actually, it's stated as a major reason the Japanese school club system is so heavily promoted: it teaches the young people the work culture of senpai/kouhai relations.

"All according to keikaku (TN: keikaku means 'plan')" is of course going full retard in the other direction.

[mainiac]

I use japanese honorifics if I'm intentionally trying to sounds like a weeboo. It's quite effective but it adds a connotation to other uses of japanese honorifics in english.

[RedKing]

Depends on context. A number of honorifics don't have simple, direct English equivalents. If its only used once or twice, maybe an English equivalent is better, even if unwieldy. If it's used every other sentence, define it early and then stick with the original honorific.

[Reelya]

Well, if they're in the translation, you have to know what they mean. Not that that's a bad thing, but when I looked some of them up I got giant walls of text for some reason.

Think about that from another angle: if something needs a wall of text to explain it, then there probably isn't a good word-substitute to encompass the concept.

[Andres]

I don't really think they add much. I've watched anime both English dubbed and subbed without the things and it was all perfectly enjoyable. That I didn't suddenly have foreign words shoved in my face helped in the immersion.

[inteuniso]

No point in it, personally.

Although I don't see why people use honorifics anyways. Stilted way of speaking, use other vocabulary to make your language more vibrant.

[RedKing]

No point in it, personally.

Although I don't see why people use honorifics anyways. Stilted way of speaking, use other vocabulary to make your language more vibrant.

When you have a society that is very concerned with stratification/caste/position, it becomes rather important. English does the same thing, just in less formalized ways.

If you're meeting a potential employer for a job interview, you don't go "Hey man, how's it hanging?"
If you're meeting a child, you don't go "Hello, small child. It is a pleasure to meet you."

The honorifics are used to assert and reaffirm the relative positions of the speaker and addressee in a hierarchy.

[inteuniso]

No point in it, personally.

Although I don't see why people use honorifics anyways. Stilted way of speaking, use other vocabulary to make your language more vibrant.

When you have a society that is very concerned with stratification/caste/position, it becomes rather important. English does the same thing, just in less formalized ways.

If you're meeting a potential employer for a job interview, you don't go "Hey man, how's it hanging?"
If you're meeting a child, you don't go "Hello, small child. It is a pleasure to meet you."

The honorifics are used to assert and reaffirm the relative positions of the speaker and addressee in a hierarchy.

We're monkeys, not insects.

Also, that's exactly what I would say. I am now confused.