Translators

This question is more towards the writers on AFF, who have experience with people reaching out to them, who want to translate their work.

What is your experience with people wanting to translate your work into their native language?

Are there any pros?

Any cons?

And if someone has translated your work before, does your story get posted on your page or the translators? (Hope this makes sense)

I'm asking this since I've been asked about this question a few times.

Personally, my gut feeling tells me not to. But I don't have any experience with it, hence I'm asking for advice.

Thank you

Comments

You must be logged in to comment

xiaojiajia #1 Oct 31, 2020 09:46:27

I used to allow translations in the past, but now not anymore due to some problems that I found. However, this is purely my personal experience and my personal reason. It might be different for other authors so you can still consider about it!

Cons:

1. There are translators who are actually not very good in language. I've had cases where the english word that I wrote was translated into another word that has entirely different meaning, thus it changes the character's personality that I have created. Example is I wrote about a guy who called his love interest with "vixen" which should mean female fox or basically someone alluring, but the translator changed it into similar word like "b*tch" and it really ruined his character and the relationship flow because a supposed-to-be flirty nickname becomes a degrading insult.

2. I've had someone plagiarising my fic in another language because they read the translated version and decided to "adapt" it into their own pairings, without my permission and without my knowing, all because they read my translated fic. (This is not the translator's fault obviously, but this is something that might happen.)

3. There are translators who speak on your behalf. I've had cases where the translators acted like they were the authors of the story (even though they put credits in the translated work). One of the examples is when a reader came to ask the translators about writing a sequel, instead of replying with something like "I have no idea if the original author is planning to write sequel", the translators replied with "maybe someday" as if they're the ones writing that story. Also, they didn't correct the reader when someone addressed them as the "author".

Pros:

1. People will know your name, especially those who are not fluent in english or those who prefer to read in other sites (if the translated work is posted in another site). If they like you enough, they might even create AFF account just to read your fics here :D

FantasyQueen #2 Oct 31, 2020 08:58:12

I'm curious as well because I've been getting such messages about wanting to translate my stories, and a few minutes ago I got the same message, so it confusing ad well.