Still Sick - Vol. 3 Ch. 19

[Sarsak]

@Thrembs
Regarding your previous chapter example, I think it's still translated correctly?
I've got company tonight DOES imply that she's gonna get laid, and Toudou's response is just a snarkier way of saying that she doesn't have time for that.
Really, it looks like you're just in the camp of literal translations whereas Sexy Akiba Detectives takes liberties to provide a consistent voice

 

[mirewitch]

@Thrembs Regarding the work trip example, I think you might be right, since I remember being a bit confused by that conversation when I read the translation. At the time I assumed I'd misunderstood the raws, but maybe not. It has been like 6 months since I read chapter 15 raws though, and neither pixv or the currently released volumes have that chapter, so I can't re-read it to verify. Assuming your interpretation is correct, I agree that its a pretty significant error, since the current translation sounds like its a conversation between Shimizu and Maekawa. I'll be interested to re-read that chapter raw once volume 3 comes out.

Regarding your second example: I agree with @Sarsak that the bold/italic "company" implies romantic company, but I definitely see your point that it adds a layer of ambiguity not present in the original work. "I'm meeting with my lover tonight!" has downsides as well though. Its several words longer, which makes the line a bit less punchy. That's important when the main purpose of the line is to communicate Maekawa's frustration/anger. Personally I might have gone with "I have a date tonight!", since that is both short and unambiguous, but I don't think any of these translations is wrong. I think it just shows the priorities of the translator.

Also time is always a factor with translations; there is often an optimal phrasing that both sounds good and conveys the literal meaning, but wordsmithing until you find it eats up time that could be spent on translating other lines, or other chapters, or other series. Even the more established translation groups with dedicated editors have way more manga they want to translate than resources to do the translation/editing. You yourself said you'd have liked to translate this manga, but don't have time. As such all translations are going to be a compromise between quantity and quality. And while that doesn't mean you shouldn't criticize when translators make mistakes, I think its overly harsh to say this is "wackadoo" or that readers are "not much worse off with blank raws."

 

[Lilliwyt]

Not to mention that's very direspectful for the one in charge of the translation who had probably work some time on it. I also get told that Sexy Akiba Detectives had only one or two translators, don't know if it's still the case, so maybe that's a factor. Finally, not everyone read the raws or understand Japanese so most of people won't see the problems if the dialogue make sense in the context. A

 

[Thrembs]

Trying really hard does not equal succeeding.

This whole translation is a hackjob.

I stand by that.

You can work reaaaally hard at frosting a chocolate cake, but if you use lardy refried beans it’s gonna end up unpleasant and treif.

You serve me that and I’ll be angry, as I’m better off with an empty plate.
I’d drop the mic, but I don’t wanna damage the sound equipment.

 

[oichifan39]

I hope Maekawa finally gets to fuck her gf.

 

[Lynkaster]

ouhouhouhou~~ that's one pretty big easy misunderstanding there

 

[brunocar]

I like this manga but toudou is such an insufferable prick

 

[The_FallenAngel]

#LetMaekawaFuckHerGF2k20

Rival bit was cute and all, and thankfully seems to be a one and done for now, but seriously Toudou? You don't think a lover would be suspicious of their lover coming back with you after not spending the night at their own house???

Hhhhhhhh Shimizuuuu, please let her talk

 

[Keqiqing]

They just need to have some hot, steamy lesbian sex and the toudou thing would be gone.