When we enjoy playing Japanese games like Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door and Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom in English, we often overlook the hard work done by a team of internal and external translators to fully localize these titles. However, the unfortunate truth is that the names of the external translators are missing from the game credits, leaving their crucial contributions unrecognized.
According to an anonymous former Nintendo employee, who now works as a translator for Nintendo through an external company called Localsoft, the external translators face unfair and onerous terms and conditions. Aside from being omitted from the game credits, these translators are required to sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) that lasts for 10 years, preventing them from even mentioning their work on these titles in their resumes or to potential clients.
The lack of recognition and the restrictive NDA make it incredibly difficult for translators to advocate for themselves. Many of them feel powerless to challenge the system and fear being blacklisted in the industry if they dare to speak up. The nature of translation work is such that taking a break for even a year could result in losing out on months of potential projects. This leaves these translators feeling voiceless and undervalued in an industry that relies heavily on their skills and expertise.
Nintendo’s apparent disregard for the external translators’ contributions is a clear indication of the company’s stance on the issue. The translators themselves are hesitant to rock the boat for fear of jeopardizing their careers. However, if there is to be any hope for change, it will require a concerted effort from the public to pressure Nintendo into revising their policies and giving credit where credit is due. Without this external pressure, it is unlikely that Nintendo will see any reason to alter the status quo, leaving these essential contributors in the shadows.
The hidden heroes behind the localization of Japanese games deserve recognition and respect for their invaluable work. It is time for companies like Nintendo to acknowledge the efforts of these external translators and to grant them the credit they rightfully deserve. Only through increased awareness and advocacy can we hope to bring about the change needed to ensure fair treatment and proper recognition for all those involved in the localization process.
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