Manga in Translation

Abstract

As the Dutch translation of One Piece is a later one, it is only natural that it will also have references to the other translations.However, thisdoes not mean the Dutch translation is superior to the other languages. Through analysis of the first chapter of One Piece, called Romance Dawn ―坊家の夜明けー, also known as Romance Dawn in the English translation, or Avontuur aan de Horizon in the Dutch translation, these influences from other translations will be made visible, as well as the points where the Dutch translation could be improved. This will be done by first looking at the theory of comic book, or manga, translation, as well as a background on indirect translations and the reasons why a translator would choose for an indirect translation rather than a direct translation, and the difficulties that are specific to manga and the Japanese language, followed by a close look at three different versions of the very first chapter of One Piece. The focus of this will be on the Japanese original, henceforth referred to as ST, the English translation by Viz Media, referred to as TT1, and the Dutch translation published by the Belgian Company Glénat, which will be referred to as TT2.