Re-translate first 9 chapters of Observation Record of a Self-proclaimed Villainess’ Fiance

WCS2023 · February 17,2025

Would anyone be willing to re-translate these 9 chapters? The whole novel itself is only like 16 chapters long, plus 3 extras. However, trying to read even the first chapter is absolutely horrendous. It's also littered with T/N notes over explaining simple sentences.

For example.

I think of myself as having a bright head, being 10 years old and understanding everything that’s taught up to 18 years old at the academy. (TN: he basically says he knows every subject taught at the academy and the academy is attended until up to 18 years old)

Pretty sure it's not basically... Pretty sure that's exactly what the author wrote.. Doesn't seem like much, but this is in like every other paragraph. Some sort of absolutely pointless T/N.

That along with mixing up the past and present tense, and other grammatical errors, I was hoping someone would be willing to fix it all up. It's a pretty fluffy and cute short story, but is unfortunately ruined by an overconfident yet not ready translator. I'm not sure if I'm allowed to link to the chapters, so I wont, but they're easy enough to find. It may sound like I'm exaggerating but check it out yourself if you're curious. 12 T/N notes, some where the translator is literally asking for help in the first chapter alone, and they're extremely short chapters.

“Fufufufu”(Cecil) (TN: Laugh sfx)

..... I mean.... C'mon.... Really?.. -_-

Anywho, if anyone would be willing to clean these up and bring more happiness to the online novel world, that would be so awesome!

axczzx · February 18,2025

It is more of an editing problem though. You need to ask the tl to allow it, as it is their work.

Demiurge_Ohara · February 18,2025

1. Wrong forum to post. Should be either novel general or general chat.

2. You could ask the tl from chapter 10+ to redo chapter 1-9 or have it proof read. Or just do it yourself and put it in pastebin or something.

3. Its already completed. No need to re-translate. Just find someone that can reupload chapters and edit it. *see #2.

DarkFight3r8fc · February 18,2025

I think translator notes should be at the end of the chapter. Putting them inbetween paragraphs is annoying.
We have hyperlinks or footnotes urls or whatever they are called for a reason

Holomez · February 18,2025

Hmm, that seems kinda tough in a sense. If they didn't allow it, wouldn't we be stuck with a sub par version forever? That's why I thought it'd be better to ask if someone could actually re-translate the chapters. The translator himself makes a bunch of T/Ns saying he's not even sure if he translated the sentences right or doesn't know if he got the meaning right.

Respectfully, I have to disagree. I personally think it would be better to re-translate, as like I said above, the translator themselves weren't sure if they got the meaning right. However your reaction is what I fear most concerning translated novels. That once a novel is translated, regardless of the quality, it's MUCH less likely for it to get a good translation. That's why sometimes I'd rather certain novels weren't translated at all, so we could wait for someone more qualified to do it. Think it's a shame for the original authors who wrote the stories to have such poor translations done of their work.

premkumar_kale · February 18,2025

And again..

1. Its already completed. Why retranslate something thats already done. Its a waste of time and effort tbh. Just find someone who will proof read and have them talk to the tl and edit the work.

2. This is just fan translations. It doesnt need to be perfect. It isnt anything close to a book or something that will be sold.
Why the need to have it perfect if you can understand every detail.

3. If being a grammar nazi is your pet peeve then do it yourself. Theres already the translation and the raws. Just copy paste and edit.

Just saying. People here are fan translators and some are professionals and most arent. Theyre not paid by anyone to do the work like professionals. They only get donations or ad revenue from views. So whats the point of having multiple translations if most of the readers had already read the novel.
As said by Wujigege, you didnt pay for the translation. Just accept the fact theres something to read and just read what is given to you. Unless you are willing to pay someone to translate it perfectly.

Apolonchene06 · February 18,2025

Asking the translator was about editing. If someone re-translates it, it's fine.

KendoKPN · February 18,2025

At best,you are certainly an auteur.
At worse, you come off as spoilt brat.
Here is the deal, you are dealing with amateurs.
You are being overly demanding for something you didnt pay for.
Also, you can easily fix this yourself as many have pointed out.
Start a free wordpress blog and edit out the translator notes. It is not difficult
be the change that you want to see.
It is too easy to simply talk. You should try to walk the talk.
Cheers!

SamiAlfoheday · February 18,2025

Absolutely agree. Though a translator could certainly be advised how to improve on their work should they wish to do so. I noticed from the examples two types of translator notes. One is useful and necessary to people who are just starting on Japanese novels - the sfx sounds might be unfamiliar at first. The other note was clearing up the meaning of the sentence, because they translated it keeping the original structure. If you, as a translator, think that what you wrote down isn't clear enough, then it's better to rewrite the sentence and break the original structure to make it readable. It's much better than writing an additional sentence in brackets clearing up what you meant. That's my two cents about the topic.