Manga Translation and Censorship Issues in Malaysia

Yean Fun Chow,Hasuria Che Omar,Wan Rose Eliza Abdul Rahman

doi:10.21315/kajh2021.28.1.1

Yean Fun Chow, Hasuria Che Omar + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.21315/kajh2021.28.1.1

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Abstract

In manga translation, when original image and written representations are regarded as inappropriate content to the target readers’ socio-cultural context, censorship is imposed. Nevertheless, research on censorship in manga translation in Malaysia has not been given due attention. Previous studies show that self-censorship influences translation, but it is not examined within the scope of manga translation. As such, the objective of this study is to examine the censorship practices in manga translation in Malaysia. This study adopts a qualitative content analysis approach to analyse six Malay translations and their respective source texts based on the publishing guideline of the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984 [Act 301] and translation procedures proposed by Klaus Kaindl. The analysis shows that the censorship practice in manga translation is a combination of institutional and self-censorship. In institutional censorship, the translation procedures of detraction, addition, substitution, deletion and couplets are used, while in self-censorship, the process is involves substitution, deletion and addition. The current study recommends the adoption of institutional censorship procedures as guidelines in handling sensitive representations and a review of the self-censorship procedures to ensure faithful translations.

Highlights

Manga is a Japanese word referring to comics in general and this term is widely used to refer to Japanese comics (O’Hagan 2007)
The ultimate objective of this study is to propose a typology of translation procedures that can be used as guidelines in manga translations in Malaysia
Four types of written representations are censored in the translations, namely (1) abusive, vulgar and obscene language, (2) names of alcoholic beverages, (3) words related to religion and (4) cigarettes

Summary

Introduction

Manga is a Japanese word referring to comics in general and this term is widely used to refer to Japanese comics (O’Hagan 2007). Japanese major publishers established affiliates and subsidiaries to distribute translated manga and mangarelated products to overseas markets. On 5th November 2015, Kadokawa Corporation bought 80% of Art Square Group’s shares in Malaysia to expand the comic and manga industry (Kadokawa Corporation 2015). These facts show that manga exhibits a wide readership globally as well as in Malaysia. Manga is less studied in the field of translation because Western comics are often used as samples (Jüngst 2004, 83) but manga is not accepted as media content and researchers demonstrate insufficient knowledge of Japanese language (O’Hagan 2007)

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