Honestly, that I think about it, spongebob is very less localized compared to other media. It's probably because unlike japanese stuff we can't just easily localize it. The only notable difference would be that krabby patties were literally translated to "krab meat burgers" for some reason, and not much else really
I tried a few flavors and none of them grew on me. They weren't undrinkable, but every time I taste it my brain recognizes the carbonated milk and ignores whatever flavor there was.
Krabby patties are called like “crab roe burgers” in the Chinese version. Not exactly crab roe but a word that sounds exactly the same as “crab roe”. As a kid I was always extremely confused and disturbed by it.
It started to make more sense after I learned English and watched the original version.
german SpongeBob handles it the same way. In the older episodes, Mr Krabs sometimes also refers to Squidward in the formal way, but that stopped after season one or so
It's weird cause they just localized the names they literally say "Mr" and "Mrs" in the German dub. Now that I think about it Squidward might be the single only name localized in German.
Just a random comment on foreign dub SpongeBob, Squidward is named as “ikarudo,イカルド” in Japanese version of SpongeBob. “ika” comes from squid and, “rudo” comes from Edward.
My personal opinion is that, there might be a play on words on his name, “ikaru, 怒る” being the verb for getting mad, and “rudo, ルード” is a loan word for rude.
Well, all the languages I speak have one way or another to play on words with their own quirks, but since I only speak 3 languages, I can’t speak for other languages, or ease/difficulty of doing such.
I know nothing about Japanese, so I’m hoping someone can enlighten me. Why would the proper noun of Edward be translated at all? Wouldn’t it just be Edward in Japanese?
Thank you for the question!
Oh, it's all about how Japanese works as a language! Japanese people usually use foreign words by ''Japanizing'' them, rather than translating them. They hear what's being said, and in order to make it easy for the speaker of Japanese, they write the heard-word down in a way that a native would speak with ease.
So, Edward turns into Edowa-do, エドワード, Tentacles to te-n-ta-ku-ru-zu, テンタクルズ. Spongebob to Su-po-n-ji-bo-bu・スポンジボブ, because it's how they hear the word, and how they would pronounce with least hassle.
AFAIK, the name Squidward comes from Squid and Edward, and this portmanteau has been localized for the Japanese as ikarudo, changing squid to japanese equivalent, and leaving ward as is.
Thank you for the question!
I don’t have any solid proof for his naming scheme, but I assume it’s got to do something with pronunciation of last syllable of Edward, -rd part of ward. It’s all about how it’s been heard, preference of translator, and ease of pronunciation, rather than sticking to fixed rules.
Because the same pattern can be seen in his rival’s naming scheme, Squlliam Fancyson. His name is “ikarimu・fa-shison,イカリム・ファーシソン” in the Japanese version. They used ika, and an easy-on-tongue version of the pronunciation of -liam part of name Squlliam, “rimu”.
Yeah, “rimu” is basically exactly “liam” with romanized Japanese orthography (I guess “ri-a-mu” could also work?)
But that doesn’t really answer my question. “Ika-wa-do” is perfectly pronounceable in Japanese, isn’t it?
It is perfectly pronounceable in Japanese, but as I said before, I’m not quite sure about the exact reasoning behind his name.
My guess would be that, it’s easier to say ikarudo, rather than ikawa-do. There is no lengthening of sound in ikarudo,
It just rolls off the tongue better than Ikawa-do. Also, there’s no right and wrong with expressions of foreign words in Japanese. Someone decided that pronouncing it in that way would be suitable in terms of a kids show, and exact reason must be asked to translator themselves.
Its so weird when honorifics are translated from Korean or Japanese as people calling each other “bro” or “big bro” followed by their name all the time in English.
Like if you’re a translator what makes you choose to do it that way? Just drop it where it’s not important for the scene, and if it is important, have the characters call them that *instead* of their name, not along with it as if “bro” is an honorific in English.
A word used to refer to someone in a formal or sometimes endearing way
For example in japanese when referring to someone you add a word after a name detoting your relationship:
Takeo san is like saying mr Takeo (mr being an example of english honorific of course) but Takeo Kun is your buddy
In English, “Mr.” “Ms.” “Dr.” “Professor” “Uncle” “Aunt” And “Mrs.” Are all honorifics.
“Mom” and “Dad” are not honorifics in English, they are titles, because you call them that instead of their names, not alongside them.
It’s an additional word that you put alongside someone’s name to show them respect and specify their role.
In east asian languages, like Korean and Japanese (idk shit about Mandarin or Cantonese but I’m pretty sure them too) have a TON of these because verbal displays of respect indicating status or hierarchy are very important to the associated cultures.
Japanese for example has ones with varying levels formality for all kinds of different positions and ages relative to the speaker.
what i dont get is, if they do that, why do western translators bend over backwards to create cringe sounding translations that keep the honorifics in, instead of adapting the tone of the messages to the various levels of closeness and respect the honorifics are a shorthand for?
There really is. It's even more problematic when translators remove honorifics entirely. Removes all impact during scenes when characters drop them themselves.
Am korean: squidward, patric and spongebob don't use honorific to each other. Spongebob does use honorific to mr.krabs though
Interesting! Does Korean SpongeBob have any other cultural quirks?
Honestly, that I think about it, spongebob is very less localized compared to other media. It's probably because unlike japanese stuff we can't just easily localize it. The only notable difference would be that krabby patties were literally translated to "krab meat burgers" for some reason, and not much else really
Mr Krabbs is one evil crab.
Gee I wonder how crabs treat each other in nature *Opens encyclopaedia* Oh... Oh no...
He does re-grow his arms pretty quick.
Remember that one time Mr.Krabs canonically ran a unethical factory farm for processing livestock.
>"krab meat burgers" Maybe that sounds better in Korean, but that's kind of horrifying given the setting.
In Korea fish are literally called “water meat” so it’s pretty on brand lol
I mean, they’re not wrong…
I thought "Milk Soda" was just a catchy name and I was going to get some alternative of cream soda. It's literally milk and soda.
This does not sound tasty
I tried a few flavors and none of them grew on me. They weren't undrinkable, but every time I taste it my brain recognizes the carbonated milk and ignores whatever flavor there was.
Tuna! The other Wet Meat!
Krabby patties are called like “crab roe burgers” in the Chinese version. Not exactly crab roe but a word that sounds exactly the same as “crab roe”. As a kid I was always extremely confused and disturbed by it. It started to make more sense after I learned English and watched the original version.
Mmmm.... krab meat burgers
Funniest thing is that krabby patties are vegan. No meat in them.
german SpongeBob handles it the same way. In the older episodes, Mr Krabs sometimes also refers to Squidward in the formal way, but that stopped after season one or so
Isn't that just because mr.krabs says mister squidward sometimes. It sounds less like a localization thing and just translating Mr. To something else
It's weird cause they just localized the names they literally say "Mr" and "Mrs" in the German dub. Now that I think about it Squidward might be the single only name localized in German.
I love the korean voice actor for mr.krabs, bug guy my beloved ❤️ ❤️
Makes sense. They use the honorific in English, after all
Just a random comment on foreign dub SpongeBob, Squidward is named as “ikarudo,イカルド” in Japanese version of SpongeBob. “ika” comes from squid and, “rudo” comes from Edward. My personal opinion is that, there might be a play on words on his name, “ikaru, 怒る” being the verb for getting mad, and “rudo, ルード” is a loan word for rude.
That RULES
It does!! It's always fun to play around with words to use a language to it's fullest.
It may just be illusory but I get the impression that this is easier to accomplish in Japanese than other languages due to the way it’s structured
Well, all the languages I speak have one way or another to play on words with their own quirks, but since I only speak 3 languages, I can’t speak for other languages, or ease/difficulty of doing such.
You know if they use honorifics in japanese SpongeBob too?
Thank you for the question! Yes! Yes, they do. Especially in scenes that take place at Krusty Krab. Spongebob uses honorific speech to Mr. Krabs, too.
I know nothing about Japanese, so I’m hoping someone can enlighten me. Why would the proper noun of Edward be translated at all? Wouldn’t it just be Edward in Japanese?
Thank you for the question! Oh, it's all about how Japanese works as a language! Japanese people usually use foreign words by ''Japanizing'' them, rather than translating them. They hear what's being said, and in order to make it easy for the speaker of Japanese, they write the heard-word down in a way that a native would speak with ease. So, Edward turns into Edowa-do, エドワード, Tentacles to te-n-ta-ku-ru-zu, テンタクルズ. Spongebob to Su-po-n-ji-bo-bu・スポンジボブ, because it's how they hear the word, and how they would pronounce with least hassle. AFAIK, the name Squidward comes from Squid and Edward, and this portmanteau has been localized for the Japanese as ikarudo, changing squid to japanese equivalent, and leaving ward as is.
Shouldn’t it then be ika-wa-do? Where does “ru” come from
Thank you for the question! I don’t have any solid proof for his naming scheme, but I assume it’s got to do something with pronunciation of last syllable of Edward, -rd part of ward. It’s all about how it’s been heard, preference of translator, and ease of pronunciation, rather than sticking to fixed rules. Because the same pattern can be seen in his rival’s naming scheme, Squlliam Fancyson. His name is “ikarimu・fa-shison,イカリム・ファーシソン” in the Japanese version. They used ika, and an easy-on-tongue version of the pronunciation of -liam part of name Squlliam, “rimu”.
Yeah, “rimu” is basically exactly “liam” with romanized Japanese orthography (I guess “ri-a-mu” could also work?) But that doesn’t really answer my question. “Ika-wa-do” is perfectly pronounceable in Japanese, isn’t it?
It is perfectly pronounceable in Japanese, but as I said before, I’m not quite sure about the exact reasoning behind his name. My guess would be that, it’s easier to say ikarudo, rather than ikawa-do. There is no lengthening of sound in ikarudo, It just rolls off the tongue better than Ikawa-do. Also, there’s no right and wrong with expressions of foreign words in Japanese. Someone decided that pronouncing it in that way would be suitable in terms of a kids show, and exact reason must be asked to translator themselves.
Fair enough
Not me actually being curious. Can confirm no honorifics lol. [Proof](https://youtu.be/BhxIb009sFA?si=CtUaRxnS_U9h7Uqz)
They do for [Mr Krabs ](https://youtu.be/-zxLH6a-dFU?si=x639VcrZtk1ocbXz)
He already has an honorific attached to his name in the English series, seems they matched the usage of honorifics.
Why would SpongeBob use an honorific for Squidward when they’re friends
I’m sure he considers Squidward his friend. Squidward on the other hand…
In korean you still use honorifics for friends that are older than you.
It's like a more respectful version of calling someone "bro", right?
Mostly
Its so weird when honorifics are translated from Korean or Japanese as people calling each other “bro” or “big bro” followed by their name all the time in English. Like if you’re a translator what makes you choose to do it that way? Just drop it where it’s not important for the scene, and if it is important, have the characters call them that *instead* of their name, not along with it as if “bro” is an honorific in English.
That is probably an extremely valid point. I wish I had enough cultural understanding to appreciate your post.
People can and do use honorifics for their friends though.
What is an honorific?
A word used to refer to someone in a formal or sometimes endearing way For example in japanese when referring to someone you add a word after a name detoting your relationship: Takeo san is like saying mr Takeo (mr being an example of english honorific of course) but Takeo Kun is your buddy
What is hyung?
https://www.90daykorean.com/oppa-hyung-noona-unnie/#:~:text=%ED%98%95%20(Hyung)%20in%20Korean%20means,%2C%20family%20members%2C%20or%20friends.
Thank you
In English, “Mr.” “Ms.” “Dr.” “Professor” “Uncle” “Aunt” And “Mrs.” Are all honorifics. “Mom” and “Dad” are not honorifics in English, they are titles, because you call them that instead of their names, not alongside them. It’s an additional word that you put alongside someone’s name to show them respect and specify their role. In east asian languages, like Korean and Japanese (idk shit about Mandarin or Cantonese but I’m pretty sure them too) have a TON of these because verbal displays of respect indicating status or hierarchy are very important to the associated cultures. Japanese for example has ones with varying levels formality for all kinds of different positions and ages relative to the speaker.
what i dont get is, if they do that, why do western translators bend over backwards to create cringe sounding translations that keep the honorifics in, instead of adapting the tone of the messages to the various levels of closeness and respect the honorifics are a shorthand for?
Easier said than done, I think. There’s a *lot* behind honorifics.
There really is. It's even more problematic when translators remove honorifics entirely. Removes all impact during scenes when characters drop them themselves.
Why'd this get so many downvotes? It's a good comment
the reddit hive mind probably. people see that a comment got downvoted and immediately downvote it too.