There are many subtleties that tend to be lost when porting manga to European and North American audiences. Many of these subtleties are culturally based and can he understood through study and experience over time.
Somethings are difficult to directly translate such as the vast array on onomatopoeia's that exist in the Japanese language. To varying degrees of success these can be translated. But its no wonder why some companies don't bother translating every little sound affect that fills the pages of a manga. It can be difficult to simply and correctly convey the ideas of some onomatopoeia into languages that aren't as rich. Sound affects make up a respectable part of informal speech in Japan, far greater than in English. They are used not only to be descriptive but to help convey mood and atmosphere.
There is also a fine level of unspoken dialogue and understanding that exists in Japan as well. To some extent these can be translated through increased dialogue. These unspoken understandings in Japanese are part of what leads to difficulty doing literal translations.
The one thing that stands out as being a great loss in the translation process comes with the way names can be understood in Japanese that doesn't really exists in many European based cultures. For the most part everyone's name; surnames and given names, are made of kanji that individually or together also represent other things and can be literally translated. These translations are understood by everyone as they are taken from common words, usually. This can add a level of meaning to a persons name that isn't as prevalent in Western names. Manga-ka can use this to add extra levels of understanding to their characters. A characters name can be used as a signal for their personality or to enhance the story, sometimes foreshadowing future development. Its almost impossible to realistically represent this in translation. The names would be considered foolish in most regards. Its easier to accept a character being named Kurosaki Ichigo instead of Black Peninsula One Protector.
For more and more manga and anime I find myself looking up the characters names to try and understand any suggestions the author put out relating to them. In doing so I continue to circle back to the psychology that's developed in a society where someones name can and is more than just a way to identify someone. In many Western societies that's a whole level of thinking that is essentially absent from our thinking and interactions with each other. Aside from being able to relate to other people with the same name, John Smith essentially doesn't mean much of anything. Think about that.
The one thing that stands out as being a great loss in the translation process comes with the way names can be understood in Japanese that doesn't really exists in many European based cultures. For the most part everyone's name; surnames and given names, are made of kanji that individually or together also represent other things and can be literally translated. These translations are understood by everyone as they are taken from common words, usually. This can add a level of meaning to a persons name that isn't as prevalent in Western names. Manga-ka can use this to add extra levels of understanding to their characters. A characters name can be used as a signal for their personality or to enhance the story, sometimes foreshadowing future development. Its almost impossible to realistically represent this in translation. The names would be considered foolish in most regards. Its easier to accept a character being named Kurosaki Ichigo instead of Black Peninsula One Protector.
For more and more manga and anime I find myself looking up the characters names to try and understand any suggestions the author put out relating to them. In doing so I continue to circle back to the psychology that's developed in a society where someones name can and is more than just a way to identify someone. In many Western societies that's a whole level of thinking that is essentially absent from our thinking and interactions with each other. Aside from being able to relate to other people with the same name, John Smith essentially doesn't mean much of anything. Think about that.
(Image from Inugami-san to Sarutobi-kun wa Naka ga Warui or Ms. God Dog & Mr. Monkey Rook' (shogi reference) are on Bad Terms)
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