Spelling/translations of names in Dramas

First off, I want to say that I'm not criticizing any FanSub groups or anybody else for that matter but sometimes the subs bug me. I guess I'm just anal.

This is about how names are spelled/translated for example in Dragon Zakura:
Clearly on the show the name of the school is Ryuzan(Naomi's school bag) but is translated/spelled as Ryuuzan. Same thing happens in Ace wo Nera w/ Ryuuzaki, it is Ryuzaki on her father's company building and Todo(on scoreboard) was spelled Tohdoh or Toudou. Also, in Delightful Girl Choon-Hyang, the name of her store was spelled this way but others translated/spelled it different.

I don't know Korean or Japanese but it seems to me that if it is spelled out explicitly one way on the show, shouldn't it be spelled out the same way on the subs. I don't know what others think but like I said, I'm probably just too picky these things.

Posted: Thu Feb 23, 2006 7:57 pm Post subject: Post Rating: 0

I'm glad when names are romanized in the correct way like in Dragon Zakura. It gives you the hint how to speak it correctly (the long vocals).

btw. It should be Itou Misaki. ;-)

Posted: Thu Feb 23, 2006 10:37 pm Post subject: Post Rating: 0

Actually the show is also correct.

This confusion comes from the fact that you can represent a long vowel two different ways.

Ryuuzan or Ryūzan

Both spelling represent the sound of the name accurately.

Unfortunately in normal English usage the letter, ū (u with a - over it), does not exist (it comes from Latin), so most people just use "u" without the "-" on top. Thus getting Ryuzan.

In academia, if you encounter a long vowel, you use: ā, ī, ō, ū.