my personal struggle with translating stuff from one language to english is that my english vocabulary at present is built on english-written novels and conversational philippine english (which is a whole different language in itself).
i find it a bit hard to choose the right words to localize something (as an occasional jpn→eng fan translator) since, obviously, the audience or people reading my translations come from all over the world. i just noticed this when reading fan translations by people who grew up with english as their native tongue, and also when i read the official twst eng server because, seriously, i can't understand like half of the slang(?) words LMAO
on the brighter side, it's such an interesting way to learn more about different cultures!!!!!! my initial fear with translating words to english is that they might not end up sounding like what a native speaker would say but now i'm like who gaf. as long as people can still understand it, it brings us together or something
coup de tat
"it's all in the eyes i was once told"
catching the stare of someone across a crowded room
subtle furrowing of eyebrows beyond a blank facade
coldness easing into warmth
a fond mothering gaze
corner of the lip nudged upward
forced glower/glare as they break underneath
batting their lashes, playful
a boisterous laugh
intrigue piercing the stoic
proud smugness at the other's success
lingering glances
a childish joy bursting through
pupils dilate
eyelids shut in a look of peace, calm and trust
"there was once a time when they were mine"
terseness
features fold into a scowl
an urgent flinching back
coldness returns (as though the warmth had never come)
lips part then purse
invasion of shock
slow stare at the floor
the ripple effect of a swallow
frustrated breath/sigh
bitter laugh in reminiscence
dread tearing through the seams of their composure
"darkness"
mean smirk- teeth bared grimace- scowl
dismissive gaze
gaze of contempt/impatience
threat lowering the voice
sardonic goading grins verging on manic
rolling one's eyes
flicker of irritation in the eyes
stares stubbornly ahead despite distraction
gritted teeth, clenched jaw
fierce biting remarks
even measured complexions betraying no thought
strangling oneself back from violence
utter apathy
murderous silence hanging in the stare
snobbish laughter
smiling at another's downfall
sort of my current favorite published piece that i've written (i have better written pieces but they're all unpublished wips. Help me.)
link if anyone wants to read
Tealhua Bluehua Yellowhua Northern Deserthua
beautiful words with "shadow" for your next poem/story
Foreshadow - to represent, indicate, or typify beforehand; prefigure
Outshadow - overshadow (i.e., to cast a shadow over; to exceed in importance; outweigh)
Shadowbox - a shallow enclosing case usually with a glass front in which something is set for protection and display
Shadowgram - skiagram (i.e., a figure formed by shading in the outline of a shadow)
Shadowgraph - shadow play; a photographic image resembling a shadow
Shadowland - the realm peopled by shadows or submerged in shadow: such as: the abode of spirits or phantoms; obscurity; the domain of the unconscious
Unshadow - archaic: to rid of shadow
If any of these words inspire your writing, do tag me or send me a link. I'd love to read your work!
More: Word Lists
You are my sweetest downfall
…
My art for the Timeless: 2024 ranwan calender zine on Twitter
the dwarves gathered in the tavern over a cup of ale to think about a plan to eliminate the knight (cwn)
no i actually love that classism is made present and obvious in haikyuu so much, like it’s made to fit so well as an important theme
the difference between the public, private and state schools is so obvious and, imo, well done (e.g. shiratorizawa vs seijoh vs karasuno)
furudate also hits on the urban/rural divide in terms of resources, security, educational standards, etc, and how that affects the tokyo teams compared with the miyagi ones, as well as others
it gets a really good balance between “ppl from lower income backgrounds can and do succeed”, and “ppl from privileged backgrounds have a far higher chance of success” and i love that
some of my favourite examples under the cut, in no particular order
kageyama and ushijima in general, and in their relationships with everyone honestly, but especially hinata and oikawa
“what have you been doing the last three years”
ushijima’s metaphor with plants growing in the best soil (in which the best soil is an elite public school) vs “i am hinata shōyō, from the concrete”
that line is so. fucking good.
karasuno’s vb team struggling to get access to the gym and daichi competing with other teams for facilities
the whole “you should have come to shiratorizawa” thing, especially ushijima and oikawa’s conversation after aoba johsai loses to karasuno (it’s really well done in the stageplay, i can’t find the link rn)
actually i feel like a lot of the fandom’s memes and jokes with ushijima stem from lines that are some of the most poignant examples of class dynamics
hinata cycling over a mountain to get to school
karasuno’s coaching team compared with the other ones, and the patchiness in having reliable teaching supervisors in the past
the timeskip jobs. shiratorizawa, nekoma and karasuno come to mind for me as schools that illustrate this really well.
also the difference in types of schools (e.g. dateko being a technical college) is really interesting when it comes to timeskip. actually, i feel like this’ll end up a whole extra post
the parallels and differences between tanaka, kyōtani and yamamoto
team records of making it to nationals, e.g. shiratorizawa dominating the miyagi prefecture
the roles of parents and the notable absences in many instances
‘the lucky ones’, i think is the chapter title translation - the one focusing on ushijima and sakusa post-timeskip - it’s a really good chapter
nekoma’s motto being ‘connect’ - it’s a key team value, but also highlights the privilege of being well-connected and living in the capital city. it also affects their timeskips, facilities, ability to hold training camps, etc
the everyone-knows-everyone vibe of the town karasuno is in. really hits the nail on the head.
tokyo having an extra team in nationals as the event sponsor slot (i forget exactly what they call it)
it doesn’t diminish the impressive abilities of the players who went to public schools (like sakusa, reon, etc) but also acknowledges the ways class privilege helped them to get where they ended up and i just think that’s a really good balance
oh yeah i live in the uk so in case there’s confusion, us public school = uk state school. public schools here are an extra elite type of private school (eg. eton, harrow, etc)
Carrying a bottle of painkillers for them
Making them laugh when they're upset
Bringing them a drink they didn't ask for
Kissing their forehead
Running your fingers through hair
Buying them something they never would have asked for
Making them their favorite meal after a long day
Knowing their schedule as well as your own
Listening to them rant
Taking interest in their hobbies
Letting them nap with their head in your lap
Doing their hair for them
Telling them to stop working so hard
Listening to their favorite music
Sitting with them after a bad day
Comforting them after a nightmare
Walking in step with them even when you don't have to
Letting them cry on your shoulder
Having their favorite snack in your bag
Squeezing them as tight as you can
Helping them move house
Buttoning up their coat for them when you don't have to
Bringing them medicine when they're sick, even though you know they won't take it
Communicating wordlessly across the room
Sharing a plate of food
Helping them build their confidence before an important meeting
Making sure they're safe on their way home
Helping them calm down
Remembering their favorite things
Rubbing their feet for them
Pulling over to comfort them
Having food ready for them when they come home
Turning off the lights when they have a migraine
Making sure they get sleep
Driving them to work just so you can have a few more minutes together
Doing their makeup for them
Buying them a piece of jewelry that reminds you of them
Dancing with them in the living room
Doing their chores for them
Holding hands when you cross the road.
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