Fan translation, also called user-generated translation, is when fans create unofficial translations of books, videos, or other media. These translations are often made into languages where official translations are not yet available. Fans who do this work usually do not have official training as translators. Instead, they volunteer because they are interested in specific types of shows, movies, or other media.
History
Fan translations of movies and TV shows, especially anime subtitles, began in the 1980s. O'Hagan (2009) says that fans started creating their own subtitles as a way to show disagreement with "official versions of anime that had too many changes and were usually shown in English on TV outside Japan." Fans wanted more accurate translations that took less time to make.
In the early days, fans made subtitles by editing VHS tapes, which was slow and costly. The first known fansub made in the United States was of the anime Lupin III, created in the mid-1980s. This process took about 100 hours to add subtitles to each episode.
Influence
The growth of the cultural industry, improvements in technology, and the spread of online platforms have increased the popularity of fan translation. This has led to more groups of people who voluntarily translate content and a wider range of materials being translated. The main people who benefit are fans of popular culture, such as movie viewers, book readers, and gamers, because they can access information from other cultures directly. The entertainment industry and other cultural sectors also gain advantages because their works reach a global audience, leading to greater understanding and blending of cultures. However, some people worry that fan translation might harm professional translators. In reality, fan translation communities are based on sharing, volunteering, a hands-on approach, and a strong interest in the same goals. Like many specialized and artistic jobs, translation requires experience and knowledge. Therefore, fan translation should not be seen as a threat. Instead, it has two important meanings: for fan translators, it provides valuable experience and good preparation, whether or not they choose to turn their hobby into a career; for professional translators, it offers useful examples to refer to when facing similar tasks. Additionally, fan translation has grown beyond movies, video games, and fan fiction. In recent years, it now includes materials like educational courses, political speeches, and news reports, giving it new value by moving from entertainment to social importance. As Henry Jenkins says, "popular culture may be preparing the way for a more meaningful public culture." As a new trend supported by internet technology, fan translation has moved beyond personal interests and become visible to society. Therefore, it is clear that fan translation is a trend that is likely to continue.
Problems concerning copyright and censorship
Fan translations may be close to breaking copyright laws, as fans often translate movies, video games, comics, and other works without asking for permission from the copyright owners. Studies show that fans do this because they enjoy the works they translate and want to help others access them. Some copyright owners allow fan translations because they believe it can help more people learn about their products. However, some also take action against those who create these translations without permission. In 2007, a teenager in France was arrested for creating and sharing a French version of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. In 2013, Swedish police removed a website that provided fan-made subtitles for people to download. Adding subtitles without the original copyrighted work is usually not considered breaking copyright laws, but sharing the actual copyrighted material, like scanlations, does break the law. Japanese copyright owners and publishers often remove fan translations, considering them illegal copies of their works.