Show Notes
1:09: Cassiel and Jennifer introduce themselves.
5:22: The two discuss getting feedback from a client.
12:11: Cassiel discusses her first translation work…which was translating a blog post (and the company didn’t properly set her up!).
16:32: Cassiel then discusses her first freelance translation work…which involved fixing two older men’s mess on an otome game.
20:00: Jennifer discusses her first translation job, which involved working for an automotive company that wanted someone to work in their Tokyo office…except they didn’t have a Tokyo office.
25:35: How Cassiel and Jennifer discuss how they first met.
29:00: One misconception they had about translators once they got into translating, and the importance of connecting with people.
38:00: Both discuss how to handle burnout…or at least try to.
41:12: How both handle criticism from peers, fans, and clients.
47:45: Cassiel and Jennifer on how important it is to try and take care of yourself mentally.
54:05: Both discuss imposter syndrome in localization.
56:53: Both share what they’re most proud of since becoming a translator.
1:01:38: Cassiel and Jennifer give advice on getting into translation and joining the industry.
Jennifer O’Donnell is a Fukuoka-based Localization Assistant. After she graduated from SOAS (London) in 2015 with an MA in Theory and Practice of Translation she focused her efforts on the translation of Japanese media (manga, anime, and video games), as well as websites, tourism, and advertising. Since then she has studied interpreting at Bellevue College (Washington, USA) and volunteered as an interpreter at a number of Japanese media conventions in the US. Now she works in-house as a localization assistant.
(You can catch Jennifer’s Interviews with Localizers on her website, J-EN Translations.)
Cassiel Merricat is a Japanese-to-English translator and localizer for games and manga. After working for a hobby company she moved into game translation, and has translated a number of different titles — particularly in the romance/otome space — for over 11 years while dealing with numerous disabilities (is chronically ill). Loves creating writing, language, games, and bacon. She currently lives in Australia with her platonic life partner, two Cane Corsos and a kitty.