[Nessa]

Originally Posted by Delirium-Zer0

The more people can translate something, the better... that way you get more interpretations. Especially with a language like japanese, where context is very important - things like subjects being omitted, words having totally opposite meanings depending on the sentence they're in, words having different meanings depending on their kanji but they're written in hiragana so you don't know for 100% what the writer meant...

Not to mention different translation styles. You get some people who translate word-for-word, leaving metaphors & idiomatic expressions intact even if they don't make sense in english; or you get translators who translate the metaphors & idioms. Each translator will specify a different subject when subjects are omitted, too.

Japanese to english is REALLY tricky and it's nearly impossible to get 100% correct, especially when "correct" has different meanings for different people.

So the more translations we get of any one song's lyrics, the better. When we see many interpretations, we can get a better of idea of what Ayu may have realy been talking about.

I just thought I'd add this since no one else had. The more translations the better, I agree compeltely. The English language is beyond beautiful, so I love when people/translators colaborate and work together to produce, using our amazing language, profound and powerful translations.

But what Melrose did, is he came into Masa's thread giving his prefered translation on the song, posted a direct link to it and said he prefered that one, which is very close to saying he thinks it is better than Masa's.

To come into a thread with someone else's translation, which Masa clearly works hard on, then to all but say "this other [linked] translation is better" is just flat out rude. There are so many other ways Melrose could have come and discussed the differences with Masa in his translation and the one Melrose linked, and thusly they could have had a very productive discussion which could have lead to an even more poetic and profound translation of this song. Instead, Melrose's first post, which proclaimed his preference and linked it in Masa's thread, again, was rude, and I am not surprised in the slightest people were upsetted by such.

Everyone is on the same side when it comes to translating and understanding Ayu's lyrics, so the negetive conotation Melrose had was compeltely without tact and could be perceived as insulting to Masa. Some people really need to think before they post so situations like what has occured in this thread are prevented in the future.

Anyway, off that topic. I personally like to read through the translations of Ayu's songs, than go through and subtley change just phrasing to make them, at least to me, flow more... structurally in English. No meanings have been changed at all, just subtle things added to help (in my opinions) in English at be smoother. Of course it diverts from the literally translations quite a but, but for native English speakers, it helps in the poetic (at least my friend's I've shared them with and myself think so) flow of the lyrics. I thought I might share with you all. This is Masa's translation that I tweeked only a few things I thought would come off a bit more powerful, but of course this is just my opinion. I always love Masa's translations, and if I've butchered it, PLEASE let me know! Again, MEANING has not been changed, just certain structures and a word here and there. I've always been BEYOND afraid to share any of my tweeked translations with Ayu fans since I didn't want to insult the fans, and ESSPECIALLY Masa, since I respect him greatly.

GREEN~
The brilliant trees, flowing in the cool air
Are losing their colors... as if hiding themselves
Just like me, who is afraid of such warmth
Keeping myself away from anything leading to hope

The smiling face of that individual
Looks so dazzling and tender
I'm afraid I might show my weakness
And begin to release my tears

* I noticed this love
The moment my fingertips touched his
And my feelings were
All but ready to flow out

I wonder why it's difficult for us
To walk [life] as we wish

Actually, I've always
Realized this for sure
But I turned my eyes from the reality of it
And denied the truth

** I'm gaze at my dearest person...
I might tell him
Of this feeling
Perhaps at the time the wind changes

* (repeat)
** (repeat)

When the trees come into bloom again
And the leaves are a fresh green
I want him to see my smile
More natural than it is of now...