Translation validity?

K

Kyou Hikari

後輩

1 Mar 2012

9

2

• 1 Mar 2012

• #1

I was going for a literal translation of "Brother's til' the end" with respect to the Gears of War 3 motto.

最後までの兄弟 (saigo made no kyoudai)

and I am questioning the validity of this phrase, if it does actually translate to Japanese properly.

 

Toritoribe

松葉解禁

Moderator

Fifteen-year veteran

22 Feb 2008

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• 2 Mar 2012

• #2

Hmm, 最後まで兄弟? still awkward, though...

 

K

Kyou Hikari

後輩

1 Mar 2012

9

2

• 2 Mar 2012

• Thread starter
• #3

Toritoribe said:

Hmm, 最後まで兄弟? still awkward, though...

Click to expand...

Is there any better way to literally translate "Brothers to the end?"

 

Mike Cash

骨も命も皆此の土地に埋めよう

Twenty-year veteran

15 Mar 2002

16,758

2,298

• 2 Mar 2012

• #4

You run into problems when you stipulate "literal" translations and can end up with something may satisfy your own needs and sensibilities yet be unclear, confusing, or downright puzzling to a speaker of the other language.

You're starting from an assumption that the word "brother" would have the same meaning and be used in the same sense in Japanese.

You're usually much better off with a functional translation than a literal one.

Unless you just want a piece of kewl-looking kanji decoration to plaster on something, in which case it doesn't matter a hill of beans one way or the other.

 

K

Kyou Hikari

後輩

1 Mar 2012

9

2

• 2 Mar 2012

• Thread starter
• #5

Mike Cash said:

You run into problems when you stipulate "literal" translations and can end up with something may satisfy your own needs and sensibilities yet be unclear, confusing, or downright puzzling to a speaker of the other language.

You're starting from an assumption that the word "brother" would have the same meaning and be used in the same sense in Japanese.

You're usually much better off with a functional translation than a literal one.

Unless you just want a piece of kewl-looking kanji decoration to plaster on something, in which case it doesn't matter a hill of beans one way or the other.

Click to expand...

So that being said, what would be the closest Japanese equivalent that makes sense?as

 

undrentide

Japa'n vagyok

18 Jan 2006

3,652

310

• 2 Mar 2012

• #6

Without any context, it is impossible to tell if the literal translation is valid, nor suggest more appropriate translation...

 

K

Kyou Hikari

後輩

1 Mar 2012

9

2

• 2 Mar 2012

• Thread starter
• #7

 

nice gaijin

Resident Realist

Moderator

Donor

Twenty-year veteran

8 Aug 2005

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• 2 Mar 2012

• #8

Given your request and explanation, the proposed translation is fine.


It'll make a lovely tattoo.

 

Mike Cash

骨も命も皆此の土地に埋めよう

Twenty-year veteran

15 Mar 2002

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• 2 Mar 2012

• #9

Kyou Hikari said:

Click to expand...

Imagine how much more frustrating it would be if you were attempting to learn Japanese well enough to do something meaningful.....

 

K

Kyou Hikari

後輩

1 Mar 2012

9

2

• 2 Mar 2012

• Thread starter
• #10

nice gaijin said:

Given your request and explanation, the proposed translation is fine.


It'll make a lovely tattoo.

Click to expand...

Thanks, I needed a definite answer somewhere.
*also it's not for a tattoo.
Also Mike, I am already studying Japanese beyond basic phrases, its just the difficulty of merging both cultures based off a saying in one
I find that learning the language itself isn't that difficult, albeit I am not far into it.

 

Mike Cash

骨も命も皆此の土地に埋めよう

Twenty-year veteran

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• 2 Mar 2012

• #11

Since it would appear none of us have either the slightest idea what "Gear of War 3" is or the slightest inclination to research and educate ourselves on it, it falls to you to provide enough context for us to be able to help you.

Is "brothers" used in the context of "brothers-in-arms"? If so, I would suspect the Japanese equivalent may use a term other than 兄弟. One of our native speaking friends would be a much better source than anything I could offer, which would be nothing more than guesswork. I suspect something like: 戦友

 

nice gaijin

Resident Realist

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Donor

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• 2 Mar 2012

• #12

Come on, Mike. We all know Japanese is just English written out of sequence with funny characters.

 

Mike Cash

骨も命も皆此の土地に埋めよう

Twenty-year veteran

15 Mar 2002

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• 2 Mar 2012

• #13

So far I haven't seen any reason to yank his chain for my own sport.

 

Coffeesan

先輩

6 Jul 2011

164

3

• 3 Mar 2012

• #14

Gears of War 3 is basically a computer game series. Pretty much a science fiction shooter with aliens and soldiers. Most American and European members will probaly know Ridley Scotts Alien(s) movie franchise, think the aliens and colonial marines and thats pretty similar to what Gears of War is "like". So yeah "Brothers till the end" is undoubtably refering to comrades/brothers-in-arms.

Geek disclaimer: Only played it once or twice I have a life! ☝

 

K

Kyou Hikari

後輩

1 Mar 2012

9

2

• 3 Mar 2012

• Thread starter
• #15

Gaijin Lol, I'm more insulted gaijin that you think I am that naive. Its almost embarrassing reading your message because it makes you seem stupid.
Mike, 戦友 is indeed a more appropriate term. It was ignorant of me to not consider the vast cultural difference between terms, as I currently am only fluent with Spanish and English, which aren't too far apart. It is related to the war term brothers-in-arms.

 

AJBryant

先輩

Rest in Peace

6 Jan 2007

318

22

• 6 Apr 2012

• #16

Kyou Hikari said:

Gaijin Lol, I'm more insulted gaijin that you think I am that naive. Its almost embarrassing reading your message because it makes you seem stupid.

Click to expand...

SO.... what's the best Japanese translation of "what a tool"?