By Christopher
We’ve been preparing for our free 紙しばい party this Saturday. I translated an Anpanman story into English. It was fun and challenging. Some of the language isn’t easy to translate. Some of it doesn’t sound good in English. I did a first translation then showed it to Hastuho. Then I made a second translation and tried to make the English sound natural, like a story book for children in America. But I also had to remember Japanese children would be listening.
I had to make some translation choices too. Should I use “Jamu Ojisan” or “Uncle Jam?”
“Anpan” or “Red bean paste filled bread?”
“Baikinman” or “Germ Man (German?)?”
“Senbei” or “Cracker?”
And I just don’t know how to translate あっかんべえ into English.