Jenn Odd
@jentranslations.bsky.social
Bookworm. Linguist. Japanese-English Translator. Video game Localization Director. Former manga/anime translator. DFTBA 💖💜💙 日本語OK!
https://j-entranslations.com
#AmReading: Rhythm of War, 東京バンドワゴン
https://j-entranslations.com
#AmReading: Rhythm of War, 東京バンドワゴン
Pinned
Jenn Odd
@jentranslations.bsky.social
· Jun 23
Game Localization for Devs
Are you a game developer interested in learning more about how localization works? Check out these articles on game localization for devs.
j-entranslations.com
Indie devs and curious nerds!
I've written a few articles for IGDA on localization for games, including scheduling, how to ensure good quality localization, and a guide on LQA.
j-entranslations.com/game-localiz...
I've written a few articles for IGDA on localization for games, including scheduling, how to ensure good quality localization, and a guide on LQA.
j-entranslations.com/game-localiz...
Reposted by Jenn Odd
The words aren't the book. They're the author's best attempt to capture their intent.
If you're too hung up on the words, you won't be providing the best translation. Take a step back and think like the author did.
Write for the situation, the character, the writing style, the emotions...
If you're too hung up on the words, you won't be providing the best translation. Take a step back and think like the author did.
Write for the situation, the character, the writing style, the emotions...
To my fellow translators: what do you wish someone had taught you about translation (whether the act or translation or having a freelance job) that you had to learn by yourself?
December 7, 2025 at 5:28 PM
The words aren't the book. They're the author's best attempt to capture their intent.
If you're too hung up on the words, you won't be providing the best translation. Take a step back and think like the author did.
Write for the situation, the character, the writing style, the emotions...
If you're too hung up on the words, you won't be providing the best translation. Take a step back and think like the author did.
Write for the situation, the character, the writing style, the emotions...
Reposted by Jenn Odd
Another excellent video about AI and the broader problems beyond just "it sounds bad lol."
youtu.be/tl4mAIBA8jc
youtu.be/tl4mAIBA8jc
The Anime AI Dub Crisis Has Begun
YouTube video by Bonsai Pop
youtu.be
December 7, 2025 at 1:06 AM
Another excellent video about AI and the broader problems beyond just "it sounds bad lol."
youtu.be/tl4mAIBA8jc
youtu.be/tl4mAIBA8jc
Reposted by Jenn Odd
Clients' flexibility with regards to scheduling, etc. tends to be directly, not inversely, proportional to how well they pay. Don't expect anyone asking for a death march to make it worth your while; if they meant to pay you like a person, they'd treat you like one.
To my fellow translators: what do you wish someone had taught you about translation (whether the act or translation or having a freelance job) that you had to learn by yourself?
December 7, 2025 at 12:40 PM
Clients' flexibility with regards to scheduling, etc. tends to be directly, not inversely, proportional to how well they pay. Don't expect anyone asking for a death march to make it worth your while; if they meant to pay you like a person, they'd treat you like one.
Reposted by Jenn Odd
Translation: Double/triple check numbers/symbols. Those are the only things a monolingual client understands in the source, and you look deeply incompetent if you get them wrong.
Business: Ask the client for more. More money, more time, more resources, whatever you can get.
Business: Ask the client for more. More money, more time, more resources, whatever you can get.
To my fellow translators: what do you wish someone had taught you about translation (whether the act or translation or having a freelance job) that you had to learn by yourself?
December 7, 2025 at 11:29 AM
Translation: Double/triple check numbers/symbols. Those are the only things a monolingual client understands in the source, and you look deeply incompetent if you get them wrong.
Business: Ask the client for more. More money, more time, more resources, whatever you can get.
Business: Ask the client for more. More money, more time, more resources, whatever you can get.
Reposted by Jenn Odd
Going back to basics. This is by far the most important thing my profession has taught me, and –I think– the most useful piece of advice I can give.
A lengthy sentence is causing you problems? Back to basics.
You're in doubt as to how to re-contact a client? Back to basics.
And so on.
A lengthy sentence is causing you problems? Back to basics.
You're in doubt as to how to re-contact a client? Back to basics.
And so on.
To my fellow translators: what do you wish someone had taught you about translation (whether the act or translation or having a freelance job) that you had to learn by yourself?
December 7, 2025 at 11:43 AM
Going back to basics. This is by far the most important thing my profession has taught me, and –I think– the most useful piece of advice I can give.
A lengthy sentence is causing you problems? Back to basics.
You're in doubt as to how to re-contact a client? Back to basics.
And so on.
A lengthy sentence is causing you problems? Back to basics.
You're in doubt as to how to re-contact a client? Back to basics.
And so on.
Reposted by Jenn Odd
My dad abhors any negative comments about immigrants. Asked him recently why he’s so strong on it: ‘Because we’re always happy to take the rich and clever ones. Which means it’s not about disliking immigrants. It’s about disliking the poor and vulnerable. And that’s a bad human instinct.’
December 7, 2025 at 8:31 AM
My dad abhors any negative comments about immigrants. Asked him recently why he’s so strong on it: ‘Because we’re always happy to take the rich and clever ones. Which means it’s not about disliking immigrants. It’s about disliking the poor and vulnerable. And that’s a bad human instinct.’
Reposted by Jenn Odd
Respect legacy translations. Even if they're bad. Even if they're wrong. Even if they're stupid (to you). They're important to the audience for a reason.
Respect the work, respect the audience, and you won't make a fool out of yourself.
Respect the work, respect the audience, and you won't make a fool out of yourself.
To my fellow translators: what do you wish someone had taught you about translation (whether the act or translation or having a freelance job) that you had to learn by yourself?
December 7, 2025 at 8:17 AM
Respect legacy translations. Even if they're bad. Even if they're wrong. Even if they're stupid (to you). They're important to the audience for a reason.
Respect the work, respect the audience, and you won't make a fool out of yourself.
Respect the work, respect the audience, and you won't make a fool out of yourself.
Reposted by Jenn Odd
Translation itself: engaging in your target language is great. Also engage in your native language to familiarize yourself with commonly used phrases/terms (ex. game menus)
Freelancing: You don't have to rate yourself like another agency would pay you. You CAN try charging higher for yourself.
Freelancing: You don't have to rate yourself like another agency would pay you. You CAN try charging higher for yourself.
To my fellow translators: what do you wish someone had taught you about translation (whether the act or translation or having a freelance job) that you had to learn by yourself?
December 7, 2025 at 9:27 AM
Translation itself: engaging in your target language is great. Also engage in your native language to familiarize yourself with commonly used phrases/terms (ex. game menus)
Freelancing: You don't have to rate yourself like another agency would pay you. You CAN try charging higher for yourself.
Freelancing: You don't have to rate yourself like another agency would pay you. You CAN try charging higher for yourself.
To my fellow translators: what do you wish someone had taught you about translation (whether the act or translation or having a freelance job) that you had to learn by yourself?
December 7, 2025 at 8:06 AM
To my fellow translators: what do you wish someone had taught you about translation (whether the act or translation or having a freelance job) that you had to learn by yourself?
"What is this life if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare?"
-- Leisure by W.H. Davies.
It's such a soothing poem that reminds me to take my time and take moments to enjoy the world around me.
We have no time to stand and stare?"
-- Leisure by W.H. Davies.
It's such a soothing poem that reminds me to take my time and take moments to enjoy the world around me.
December 6, 2025 at 11:55 PM
"What is this life if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare?"
-- Leisure by W.H. Davies.
It's such a soothing poem that reminds me to take my time and take moments to enjoy the world around me.
We have no time to stand and stare?"
-- Leisure by W.H. Davies.
It's such a soothing poem that reminds me to take my time and take moments to enjoy the world around me.
Reposted by Jenn Odd
“AI is clearly sticking around so you have to get used to it” wrong. I don’t have to get used to shit. I am a practiced hater and I can keep this going for decades if I am required to
December 1, 2025 at 11:29 PM
“AI is clearly sticking around so you have to get used to it” wrong. I don’t have to get used to shit. I am a practiced hater and I can keep this going for decades if I am required to
Reposted by Jenn Odd
🤖 Books cannot be #translated in a click: @ceatl.bsky.social
& the @europeanwriterscouncil.eu call on the global book sector, incl. writers, agents, publishers & readers, to stand in solidarity with human literary #translators after Amazon’s launch of Kindle #Translate
ceatl.eu/books-cannot...
& the @europeanwriterscouncil.eu call on the global book sector, incl. writers, agents, publishers & readers, to stand in solidarity with human literary #translators after Amazon’s launch of Kindle #Translate
ceatl.eu/books-cannot...
Books cannot be translated in a click!
CEATL and EWC call on the global book sector, including writers, agents, publishers and readers, to stand in solidarity with human literary translators after the announcement of Amazon to launch Kindl...
ceatl.eu
December 4, 2025 at 2:58 PM
🤖 Books cannot be #translated in a click: @ceatl.bsky.social
& the @europeanwriterscouncil.eu call on the global book sector, incl. writers, agents, publishers & readers, to stand in solidarity with human literary #translators after Amazon’s launch of Kindle #Translate
ceatl.eu/books-cannot...
& the @europeanwriterscouncil.eu call on the global book sector, incl. writers, agents, publishers & readers, to stand in solidarity with human literary #translators after Amazon’s launch of Kindle #Translate
ceatl.eu/books-cannot...
Reposted by Jenn Odd
All of the companies that make the software I use are increasing their prices, to account for an "investment" in AI.
I'm sat here imagining how my clients would feel if I added 30% to each invoice, because I "really got into gambling".
I'm sat here imagining how my clients would feel if I added 30% to each invoice, because I "really got into gambling".
December 4, 2025 at 8:41 AM
All of the companies that make the software I use are increasing their prices, to account for an "investment" in AI.
I'm sat here imagining how my clients would feel if I added 30% to each invoice, because I "really got into gambling".
I'm sat here imagining how my clients would feel if I added 30% to each invoice, because I "really got into gambling".
Reposted by Jenn Odd
Here’s my Spotify Wrapped 🎵✨
December 3, 2025 at 4:51 PM
Here’s my Spotify Wrapped 🎵✨
Reposted by Jenn Odd
[NEW VIDEO]
AI dubbing and translation are bad on their own, but it's so much worse when they're forced down our throats. Have a short, angry essay about how "language accessibility" isn't as great as it sounds.
youtu.be/w7Cwt77B5ZM
AI dubbing and translation are bad on their own, but it's so much worse when they're forced down our throats. Have a short, angry essay about how "language accessibility" isn't as great as it sounds.
youtu.be/w7Cwt77B5ZM
Don't Let YouTube's AI Treat You like a Fool
YouTube video by Nil Nilgiree
youtu.be
December 1, 2025 at 6:32 PM
[NEW VIDEO]
AI dubbing and translation are bad on their own, but it's so much worse when they're forced down our throats. Have a short, angry essay about how "language accessibility" isn't as great as it sounds.
youtu.be/w7Cwt77B5ZM
AI dubbing and translation are bad on their own, but it's so much worse when they're forced down our throats. Have a short, angry essay about how "language accessibility" isn't as great as it sounds.
youtu.be/w7Cwt77B5ZM
Reposted by Jenn Odd
Support direct hiring for Kyoto ALTs—a petition to the Kyoto Prefectural Board of Education. Sign by the 20th (especially people in Japan, double-especially if you're in Kyoto).
generalunion.org/direct-hire-...
generalunion.org/direct-hire-...
京都ALTの直接雇用を求める署名 Support Direct Hiring for Kyoto ALTs
京都府立高校で働く10名の派遣ALTは、教育委員会による毎年の最低価格入札制度のために賃金が引き下げられ、深刻な雇用不安に直面し続けています。組合員たちのストライキによって一部の賃金は回復しましたが、制度自体が変わらない限り、ALTたちは毎年仕事を失う可能性を抱えたままです。安定した雇用はALTの生活だけでなく、生徒の教育の質を守るためにも不可欠です。京都府教育委員会にALTの直接雇用を求めるため...
generalunion.org
December 4, 2025 at 12:30 PM
Support direct hiring for Kyoto ALTs—a petition to the Kyoto Prefectural Board of Education. Sign by the 20th (especially people in Japan, double-especially if you're in Kyoto).
generalunion.org/direct-hire-...
generalunion.org/direct-hire-...
Reposted by Jenn Odd
Yatta-Tachi just hit 14.6k followers on here. If everyone donated $1, we would super set for next year 😆
Right now we are running off of less than $300 a month… so 4x that a month would be amazing.
Right now we are running off of less than $300 a month… so 4x that a month would be amazing.
December 3, 2025 at 4:07 PM
Yatta-Tachi just hit 14.6k followers on here. If everyone donated $1, we would super set for next year 😆
Right now we are running off of less than $300 a month… so 4x that a month would be amazing.
Right now we are running off of less than $300 a month… so 4x that a month would be amazing.
Reposted by Jenn Odd
It's that giving time of year again, so this is a reminder that no matter how they try to dress it up, the Salvation Army is not a charity.
December 3, 2025 at 1:58 AM
It's that giving time of year again, so this is a reminder that no matter how they try to dress it up, the Salvation Army is not a charity.
Reposted by Jenn Odd
firefox AI and slop disablers from tumblr for the people from local hero mckitterick. Tried it on my end and the browser is significantly faster now
(copy paste-able in the alt text)
(copy paste-able in the alt text)
December 2, 2025 at 3:47 AM
firefox AI and slop disablers from tumblr for the people from local hero mckitterick. Tried it on my end and the browser is significantly faster now
(copy paste-able in the alt text)
(copy paste-able in the alt text)
Reposted by Jenn Odd
YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS congratulations to all of these wonderful books and especially to THE AWESOME @kristinosani.bsky.social
Fantasy Finalists:
💙 THE EXTRAVAGANZA ETERNIA by @kristinosani.bsky.social (@ghostorchidpress.com)
💙 THE JAGUAR MASK by @michaeljdeluca.bsky.social (@stelliform.press)
💙 TREE GODS by @rleefryar.bsky.social
💙 CURSED UNDER LONDON by @scriblit.bsky.social (Farrago Books—@duckworthbooks.bsky.social)
💙 THE EXTRAVAGANZA ETERNIA by @kristinosani.bsky.social (@ghostorchidpress.com)
💙 THE JAGUAR MASK by @michaeljdeluca.bsky.social (@stelliform.press)
💙 TREE GODS by @rleefryar.bsky.social
💙 CURSED UNDER LONDON by @scriblit.bsky.social (Farrago Books—@duckworthbooks.bsky.social)
December 2, 2025 at 1:10 AM
YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS congratulations to all of these wonderful books and especially to THE AWESOME @kristinosani.bsky.social
Reposted by Jenn Odd
*** Looking for a translator ***
The developers of Atuel are seeking a translator to localize the game into Korean.
The game has approximately 1,400 English words. If anyone is interested or knows someone who might be able to handle it, please let @pfquarta.bsky.social know!
The developers of Atuel are seeking a translator to localize the game into Korean.
The game has approximately 1,400 English words. If anyone is interested or knows someone who might be able to handle it, please let @pfquarta.bsky.social know!
December 2, 2025 at 12:32 AM
*** Looking for a translator ***
The developers of Atuel are seeking a translator to localize the game into Korean.
The game has approximately 1,400 English words. If anyone is interested or knows someone who might be able to handle it, please let @pfquarta.bsky.social know!
The developers of Atuel are seeking a translator to localize the game into Korean.
The game has approximately 1,400 English words. If anyone is interested or knows someone who might be able to handle it, please let @pfquarta.bsky.social know!
"What's the point of bringing a translator when everyone can use Google Translate?"
🗡️ 🗡️ 🗡️ 🗡️ 🗡️
🗡️ 🗡️ 🗡️ 🗡️ 🗡️
What’s the worst question someone can ask after you tell them your profession? For linguists, it’s definitely “how many languages do you speak?”, but I’m curious what else is happening to the rest of y’all out there?!
December 2, 2025 at 12:52 AM
"What's the point of bringing a translator when everyone can use Google Translate?"
🗡️ 🗡️ 🗡️ 🗡️ 🗡️
🗡️ 🗡️ 🗡️ 🗡️ 🗡️
Reposted by Jenn Odd
I'm looking for participants for my master's study about transmasc/trans men fans of manga and anime! Please fill out my 10-minute survey:
form.jotform.com/253308772919...
#transmasc #t4t #ftm #nonbinary #transresearch #transsurvey #nonbinarysurvey #transresearchbytransrsearchers
form.jotform.com/253308772919...
#transmasc #t4t #ftm #nonbinary #transresearch #transsurvey #nonbinarysurvey #transresearchbytransrsearchers
December 1, 2025 at 10:52 AM
I'm looking for participants for my master's study about transmasc/trans men fans of manga and anime! Please fill out my 10-minute survey:
form.jotform.com/253308772919...
#transmasc #t4t #ftm #nonbinary #transresearch #transsurvey #nonbinarysurvey #transresearchbytransrsearchers
form.jotform.com/253308772919...
#transmasc #t4t #ftm #nonbinary #transresearch #transsurvey #nonbinarysurvey #transresearchbytransrsearchers
AI is NOT inevitable. Keep not using it. Uninstall Copilot from your computer. Refuse to use programs bogged down with it. Complain loudly about it when they shove it into the programs you use. We can starve the slop machines.
"All of this falls apart if humans don't adopt the tech. This is why you've seen Meta cram its lame chatbots into WhatsApp and Instagram. This is why Notepad and Paint now have useless Copilot buttons on Windows. This is why Google Gemini wants to "help you" read and reply to your emails."
Analysis: OpenAI is a loss-making machine, how can it survive?
Don't call it a bubble! Loss-making monster OpenAI is on the hook for $1.4 trillion (with a T) in compute commitments. How can this go on?
www.windowscentral.com
November 30, 2025 at 11:12 PM
AI is NOT inevitable. Keep not using it. Uninstall Copilot from your computer. Refuse to use programs bogged down with it. Complain loudly about it when they shove it into the programs you use. We can starve the slop machines.
Reposted by Jenn Odd
FREELANCER TIP: THE 25% RULE!
The MOMENT payment hits your bank account, calculate 25% of the value of the invoice and then transfer that amount immediately to a savings account and DO NOT TOUCH IT. THAT'S FOR TAXES. Then pay yourself the remaining 75%. Account for this when determining rates!!!
The MOMENT payment hits your bank account, calculate 25% of the value of the invoice and then transfer that amount immediately to a savings account and DO NOT TOUCH IT. THAT'S FOR TAXES. Then pay yourself the remaining 75%. Account for this when determining rates!!!
Just calculated how much I will have to pay in self-employment taxes since I've never been a contract employee before and
Oh my god?????
This is awful?????
The US government finds a new way to devastate me every day 🫠
Oh my god?????
This is awful?????
The US government finds a new way to devastate me every day 🫠
November 30, 2025 at 4:12 AM
FREELANCER TIP: THE 25% RULE!
The MOMENT payment hits your bank account, calculate 25% of the value of the invoice and then transfer that amount immediately to a savings account and DO NOT TOUCH IT. THAT'S FOR TAXES. Then pay yourself the remaining 75%. Account for this when determining rates!!!
The MOMENT payment hits your bank account, calculate 25% of the value of the invoice and then transfer that amount immediately to a savings account and DO NOT TOUCH IT. THAT'S FOR TAXES. Then pay yourself the remaining 75%. Account for this when determining rates!!!