Video translation preview #6 Translation that makes use of character speech and speech

2024-07-04

A flavourful translation that saves characters

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Getting started

In video content, characters (characters) are not only to characters, but also to a wide range of fictional images and objects. The characters are simply and concisely in the drama, and sometimes they show their individualized through interpreted expressions.

Visual media has the function of evoking human feelings, so we can empathize with the character's situation. In particular, language expressions such as tones, habits, habits, and nonverbal expressions used by the characters help to understand the characters' concerns and relationships.

When translating argues, I also make use of the speech and speech of these characters. Translators work meticulously, painstakingly every word and sentence. In the Final Chapter of the Video Translation Overview Series, we'll talk about exciting translations that save characters.

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Character speech and speech

Speech is a way of speaking, a style of speaking. The speech style of the characters in the video content presented to the speech style of an actor who speaks Naturally in a Dramatic Mood, presented by a pre-written script.

The speech style of historical drama characters introduces more complex elements such as historical background and history. Currently, unfamiliar gore words are often used, so there are more resources to search and build terms.

On the Other Hand, in period dramas where there was an identity system, the character's style of speaking also had different characteristics on their status. Let's take a look at the example below.

신분	특징
양반	학식을 갖추고 있었음으로 정확한 발음과 어법을 구사하고 성조, 장단음 등 전문적인 말투 교육도 받았을 것이다. 말에 여유가 있고 기품이 있으며 사자성어와 같은 한문을 구사하며 헛기침이나 호령 등으로 체면을 유지하려 했을 것이다. 말의 속도도 가장 느렸을 것이다.
중인	전문분야에서는 양반과 대등한 대화가 가능하며 양반과 상민의 양쪽 말투를 모두 구사할 것이다.
상민	어법이나 고저 장단음 등을 교육받지 않았고 신경 쓰지 않는다. 지금 우리들의 쓰는 말투와 크게 다르지 않을 것이다. 양반보다 말을 빠르게 하는 경향이 있으며 욕이나 은어를 사용한다. 양반을 대할 때와 천민을 대할 때 차이가 있을 것이다.
천민	집을 제외하고는 항상 존댓말을 썼을 것이다. 굽실굽실하는 말투로 입에서 나오는 대로 체면 생각 할 필요 없이 말을 했을 것이다. 상스러워 보일수도 있다.

^{<사극 속 화법의 변화 연구, 동덕여자대학교 (2008) >( *) Source: paper, Mi Young}

Here are some excerpts from Korean scripts of historical dramas that make use of the period, identity system, and character traditions. This time, let's experience firstand the taste of the historical drama characters in the actual script.

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Of the <이산> 16 MBC dramas
Jung Hoo Kyum: It's been a long time.
Hong Guk-yeong: (Gimmick,)... Hey, I'll see you here. inspiration. Have you written the code so far?
Jung Hoo Kyum: Yes, but what are you doing here?
Hong Guk-yeong: Well, it's not a big deal. I bought this house, which is my brother's house, and moved in.
Jung Hoo Kyum:...!!...
Hong Guk-yeong:... I'll see you often in the future, inspiration.
Jung Hoo Kyum: (Sad, smiles) It's my next door... why?
Hong Guk-yeong: There's a saying that you should be close to your friends while sleeping, but less... closer.

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Of the <다모> first MBC drama
Yoon:... Are you sick?
Chae-ok: (nodding with a surprised face)... yeah...
Yoon:... I'm sick too...!
Chae-ok: (I see Yun.)...
Yun: (Soothing Herbal Powder on the Wound) Before You Were My Soul... They're just like older sisters and younger siblings (Standing Up with White Kang-mok Wrapped Around Her Arms) Me... Don't make me sick...
Chae-ok: (My tears well up.) Better... The girl... I've eaten in the shape of Nairi... I can't be my sisters' brother. Girl... I can give up my neck on Nari's path, but I don't want to be a stumbling block. It's been 15 years since Nairi was enshrined. I know the path of pain I have passed better than anyone else. I can't see Nari's dream come to nothing because of me.
Yoon:... I don't want to make my dreams come true even at the expense of you... (Here we go.)
Chae-ok: (I'm thirsty.)
Yun: (After a few steps, it stopped. (Without looking back) A while ago... Because it's humble... I'm sorry
Chae-ok: (Unwittingly) Muppet...

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Translation work that makes use of the character's taste

When translating video comments, what kind of work should be done to make the most of the character's sense of speech? Here are the actual tasks the Letterworks team is doing.

Using TM translation memory: We agree that are highly similar to the character's speech by learning actual lines and translation examples on a case-by-case basis.
TB Glossary Construction: Defining the Quality and Completeness of Video Unifying by Unifying Character Names, Proper Names, Special Terms, and Terms.
Correction & inspection process: In the proofreading and quality inspection stage, we identify subtitle translation references for video content that matches the times and culture and reflect them
Real-time translation feedback: experts in various languages, including workers, reviewers, and native speakers, suggest ideas for better translations within a single tool.

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If you're struggling in video subtitle translations that have all the nuance, tone, and meaning, feel free to knock on Letterworks's door.

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reference

- Visual Language Research Explains Through Anthropomorphism: Studying on the Personalization-Oriented Visual Language of Characters (Chung-Ang University Graduate School of Art, 2009, Song Hyun-seung)

- A study on changes in actors' speech due to social changes: Studying on Ko Eun-jeong, Jang Mi-hee, Mi Sook, and Jeong-yeon” (Master's thesis, Sogang University Graduate School of Journalism, 2006, Oh Gil Kyung)

- Research on changes in speech in historical drama, Dongduk Women's University (2008, Mi Young)

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