I work for Enchantment Scans, a scanlation group that translates and provide translated scans of manga to sites for people to read. It's not a paying job, more of a group of people sharing the same hobby that want to help provide manga for people to enjoy. Some of the manga you read, like Tsuki no Shippo or Skip Beat are translated by them. I'm really happy to be part of something like this because i find it fun, although sometimes tiring, to translate manga. We are in need of a Japanese Translator, so if you know Japanese email ephemeral.essence@gmail.com or visit eternal-enchantment.net for details. I am a Chinese Translator, but i do think translations for different languages are somewhat alike so here are some tips i want to share about translating. Just know that i recently began translating and it was completely new to me, i've never had experience doing something like this before. So you do not need to know everything about it before applying for the job. One of the heads, July, really helped me with translating and explaining how the process works. ^-^ Here's a shout out to you!
Before you start:
1. Make sure you download the right program for reading raw manga scans and have notepad or word documents installed in your computer. You need these when you actually start to read the scans and translate.
2. If you are translating a specific manga, it's good to read that manga before you translate it to get to know the characters and the plot. This helps when you are actually translating it and you might find that you like the manga!
3. Have sites that help you. When i found trouble with names and such i emailed July and she gave me a few sites. I suggest that you find or ask for sites that provide these (usually, they would provide resources for translating or editing on the site):
-one was a site explaining how to format your translation doc., this is very important so that the editors are able to understand you.
-one was a site of synopises for the chapters of the manga, this helps when you are working on a particular chapter and need to know the plotline.
-and one was a site to translate chinese names into english names with japanese spelling. (this was actually one that helped me A LOT, it's hard to get english names for many japanese names for cities, names and such.)
All these sites i use everytime when i translate a chapter.
That's all you need before you actually start, believe me, they really help! Besides these, i have some tips for when you translate. I hope they help!
Tips:
1. Have someone that knows the same language that you can rely on when you meet a word or phrase that you are not sure of. It's always convenient to have a person to ask when you aren't sure, sometimes online translators aren't very reliable and are often not completely right.
2. Adjust your notepad window to be the size of one page so that you can translate while having the manga page still visible.
3. Have the useful sites  minimized so that you can look at them when you need them.
4. You don't have to do this but it does help if you can type in the language you are translating, try to have it on your computer for when you need to search it on a translator.
5. Have a folder on your computer for you to save your past translation work so you may look a them for reference. I find that it helps when you are still not use to translating and need something to refer to that you have your other work to look that and compare. Although, personally, i think you should be organized anyway. =)
6. Remember to check often to see if you get a new assignment or if there are any updates. That way you are always prepared and know what's coming up.
7. Remember the deadline and work a bit each time you've got free time, that way you don't have to cram. 
8. Don't stress yourself, if you can't make the deadline or need a break because of vacation, ask the heads at least one or two weeks ahead for extra time.
I wanted to do up to 10 but i think this is enough. Remember these tips and you'll do okay. Have more tips? Email me!

-Suzanne
chen.suzanne@yahoo.com

 Today's Rambling: Rice Krispies or Cupcakes?
Today was the last day of state testing! Ellen and Sydney had baked some cupcakes (mmmmm...) and rice krispies (mmmmm...) for us to eat after we were done. It was delicious, and the rice krispy turned my tongue blue. We were all going "AHHH" to each other to show off our tongues, it was awesome. I haven't had this much fun in a while. Angela, Ellen, Sydney, Kristin, Daniella, and everybody else are such cool people, i never feel bored when i talk to them. 

By the way, notice the new user pic? I'm using it to honor today's rambling, plus it's my first one so that makes it extra special (with sprinkles!) But if you want to take a bite out of them you'd be surprised, they are actually speakers. They are the courtesy of technabob.com, although i don't know where you can purchase them or who created them. Aren't they cute?? I totally want one, do you think they might come in other delicious shapes as well? I think a apple shaped one would be totally original but cute, i should send these ideas in. I think that would be a great idea for the next entry, Ideas for Ipod Speakers: food you can listen to! 

Anyway, i'm putting a poll for today's rambling. Remember to vote or comment! Or both!


-Suzanne

Feel Free to Contact Me:
chen.suzanne@yahoo.com
(not my main email, but i check it often.)