How far is too far? If a translator tries to use common phrases and manners of speaking in the target language but does so at the expense of the source language's intention, who is to blame? We conducted an interview with Zakogdo over text and asked him some of these exact questions. Zakogdo is someone who talks about the localization of Japanese games on X and has gotten lots of traction this year by critiquing the translations of games like Unicorn Overlord and Eiyuden Chronicle. The interview was conducted over text, and we sought to find places of agreement and understanding.

Find Zakogdo here: x.com/zakogdo

Time Codes:

1. Intro (0:00)

2. Why Are We Doing This? (1:22)

3. How Did Zakogdo Learn Japanese? (20:00)

4. What Are Our Blindspots In This Conversation? (23:45)

5. How Have We Misrepresented You? (48:15)

6. What Points Have We Made That You Would Like To Rebut? (1:18:20)

7. What Does A Successful Translation Look Like To You? (1:44:10)

8. What Do You Think Is The Solution To All Of This? (1:52:15)

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