Alright, here's the last Baphomet Complex for the foreseeable future. I've reformatted everything, done a bit of editing (catching typos, smoothing out a few sentences), and put everything into an ebook version that includes the first illustration (I can't scan the remaining two where I am now) in addition to the usual Pastebin. I strongly recommend you check out the ebook, because the pastebin necessarily lacks a lot of formatting that improves the reading experience (for instance, the lilim's telepathic speech is in italics).
The one major change I've made in terms of terminology is the decision to adopt "mana" for "魔力." I am currently keeping "精" as "essence," because it does not strike me as felicitous to render two distinct terms with the same word. I also refuse to ever use the word "mamono" in what is ostensibly an English translation, especially as the English word "monster" already appears on the covers of several MGE books.
Your decisions are understandable, but it is worth noting that KC has expressed to Monster Girls Redux that he considers "mamono" to be a term that exemplifies his brand of monster girls, hence why we were encouraged to use it for several terms in our translations.
ReplyDeleteIn more detail apparently before KC most Japanese monster girl stuff used モンスター娘 (MONSUTA- MUSUME) and MGQ used Monmusu. KC using Mamono is pretty much iconic of MGE and fans recognise it as such.
On that note we worked out a three term terminology for the different energies, mana (non monster essense basically), mamono mana, and "magical energy" as a catch-all general term (I assume the last one is what you are going to call "essense").
On a personal note, while I congratulate you on your work, I'm happiest that you'll be able to move to non-loli monsters now (unless the Mimil chapter of Fallen Brides is next on your list).
Unfortunately for you, that is indeed the next novella on the list. It's not as long as Wilmarina's but it's still about as long as Baphomet Complex was. I've started working on it, but I plan to wait until I have a bigger start made (around ten pages or so) before I start posting it and resume shorter weekly updates. It has more in the way of world-building detail and other points of interest than Baphomet Complex, but there's still another unavoidable period of "big brother"s ahead. At least the stories that follow should be more to your liking (and, quite frankly mine—I have a younger sister and will never understand the eroticization of that relationship in media in other than purely academic terms).
DeleteI believe we discussed the name on a previous occasion, but I'm currently going with "Mimiru" for the first name because, without evidence of an intended reference, I prefer to adhere as closely as seems reasonable to the Hepburn romanization. I intend to add an accent aigu to the surname to guide pronunciation and avoid confusion with the common shortening of the name "Milton."
I appreciate the distinction, but I desire above all else to avoid employing Japanese words other than proper names in a translation unless absolutely necessary (as is generally only the case with certain historical phenomena unlikely to appear in a work of fantasy). To reiterate, I'm currently using "monster" for "魔物" (and the occasional "魔"); "mana" for the "魔力" possessed by monsters; "magic" for "魔法" as well as any "魔力" explicitly unconnected to monsters (as with the rings mentioned near the start of Baphomet Complex); and "essence" for "精," the human energy monsters sense and feed on. I remember you previously expressed concern that this last allows confusion as to the nature of the consumption, specifically that it does not kill or otherwise render "soulless," but I would contend that the same is true of the Japanese "精," which can be found also in works where the consumption of vital energy is harmful, so I prefer to leave it up to context to preclude that impression. I don't have any problem with your terminology, but I currently prefer these renderings.
As I said, perfectly understandable. Just relating what I know of KC's intentions and the reasons we chose translations that may be less than optimal in some ways.
DeleteI understand, and the information is always helpful to have. I just wanted to make sure to give you my rationale all together, as it was previously broken up over several posts.
DeleteI actually think that having multiple coexistent translations of things tend to be beneficial.
just for ask , how come the traslate the mgq:bte 6?
ReplyDeleteAbout half done. I posted the first story (Black Alice) in the current MGQ General on /vg/, and I'll post the whole thing here and on Sadpanda when it's done (sometime this week).
DeleteWill BTE7 be next?
DeleteYes, although there will likely be a short break between the two.
Deleteyou do also translate the mgq 4koma's?
Delete( link from pixiv -> http://www.pixiv.net/member_illust.php?id=3383685 )
I don't have any plans to at the moment, but I might if I have time.
DeletePossibly, but I do not currently have any way of doing so. I can't justify buying a scanner, and I very much doubt that any of the libraries or copy shops here will thank me for using any of theirs for these particular images (the first is Lilia mid-transformation covered in tentacles, and the second is her brother doing her from behind).
ReplyDeleteHey, I’m new. I’m having a problem
ReplyDeleteI can’t read it in paste bin. It say, “Error, This is a private paste or is pending moderation.” Does this mean I can’t read this? If not how do I read it?Because I’m can’t to download either.