Jenn Odd
@jentranslations.bsky.social
Bookworm. Linguist. Japanese-English Translator. Video game Localization Director. Former manga/anime translator. DFTBA 💖💜💙 日本語OK!
https://j-entranslations.com
#AmReading: 東京バンドワゴン, Charles Darwin's Diaries, The Wee Free Men
https://j-entranslations.com
#AmReading: 東京バンドワゴン, Charles Darwin's Diaries, The Wee Free Men
Pinned
Jenn Odd
@jentranslations.bsky.social
· Jun 23
Game Localization for Devs
Are you a game developer interested in learning more about how localization works? Check out these articles on game localization for devs.
j-entranslations.com
Indie devs and curious nerds!
I've written a few articles for IGDA on localization for games, including scheduling, how to ensure good quality localization, and a guide on LQA.
j-entranslations.com/game-localiz...
I've written a few articles for IGDA on localization for games, including scheduling, how to ensure good quality localization, and a guide on LQA.
j-entranslations.com/game-localiz...
Reposted by Jenn Odd
If you like an author's work, the best thing you can do is buy it. The second best thing you can do is ask your local library to buy it. Or, do both!
A reminder that the median book deal for a debut author in the UK is £7000, paid over 12-18 months. (from 2022 Society of Authors report). Some of your favourite writers are struggling. societyofauthors.org/2022/12/06/a....
A profession struggling to sustain itself - The Society of Authors
ALCS report on author incomes shows 60% drop in median incomes since 2006
societyofauthors.org
November 24, 2025 at 5:39 PM
If you like an author's work, the best thing you can do is buy it. The second best thing you can do is ask your local library to buy it. Or, do both!
Reposted by Jenn Odd
Saw a thread about how the math here dilutes the Japanese side because they divide by the entire population (including babies, etc.) 🧵
The National Police Agency told a cabinet committee that the crime rate of foreigners in Japan, excluding short term visitors, is 1.72x that of Japanese residents. www.sankei.com/article/2025...
外国人の犯罪率は日本人の1.72倍 警察庁が短期滞在者除いた数字を参院内閣委で答弁
昨年の外国人の犯罪率は日本人の1.72倍だったという数字を、警察庁が20日の参院内閣委員会で明らかにした。観光などの短期滞在者を除いた検挙（摘発）人数を比較し…
www.sankei.com
November 24, 2025 at 1:14 PM
Saw a thread about how the math here dilutes the Japanese side because they divide by the entire population (including babies, etc.) 🧵
Reposted by Jenn Odd
I was recently interviewed by Eleanor Warnock regarding the exploitation of passion, the devastating impact of machine translation/AI on the localization industry, and how collective action can bring about positive change. www.eleanot.es/p/the-human-...
The human cost of gaming's AI push
How game translators are fighting back against the exploitation of passion
www.eleanot.es
November 24, 2025 at 11:46 AM
I was recently interviewed by Eleanor Warnock regarding the exploitation of passion, the devastating impact of machine translation/AI on the localization industry, and how collective action can bring about positive change. www.eleanot.es/p/the-human-...
I tell my website host I'm going to change providers so he turns off hosting on both sites. That's fine, I was overdue on the payment and should have sorted it sooner. But now he's charging me £144 to turn it back on so I can get the hosting moved over!!! So mad.
November 24, 2025 at 4:25 AM
I tell my website host I'm going to change providers so he turns off hosting on both sites. That's fine, I was overdue on the payment and should have sorted it sooner. But now he's charging me £144 to turn it back on so I can get the hosting moved over!!! So mad.
Reposted by Jenn Odd
Had some privileged friends who had fun at Wizarding World in Universal. Without trying to fight, I said I couldn't buy any of HP stuff given what we know about JK now. They tried to dismiss it like, "Well, it's not like we're agreeing with her." I said, "She says your money makes her think you do."
Hey yall not what I wanted to do on my birthday but let it be clear
"Death of the artist" is all well & good but you cannot Seperate the art from the artist when the artist is still alive, a terf & every penny they recieve reinforces their beliefs & is used to actively harm Trans folks!
Let it Go!
"Death of the artist" is all well & good but you cannot Seperate the art from the artist when the artist is still alive, a terf & every penny they recieve reinforces their beliefs & is used to actively harm Trans folks!
Let it Go!
'Harry Potter' author J.K. Rowling says 'a ton' of fans are 'still with me' after trans remarks
J.K. Rowling addressed her controversial comments about transgender women on 'The Witch Trials of J.K. Rowling' podcast, saying many 'Harry Potter' fans were 'grateful that I'd said what I said,' and ...
share.google
November 23, 2025 at 8:02 PM
Had some privileged friends who had fun at Wizarding World in Universal. Without trying to fight, I said I couldn't buy any of HP stuff given what we know about JK now. They tried to dismiss it like, "Well, it's not like we're agreeing with her." I said, "She says your money makes her think you do."
Reposted by Jenn Odd
this point really hits the nail on the head of why localization workers are so frustrated by “AI” loc companies.
freelancers have to beg for a single dollar wage increase, while tens of millions are dumped into a machine designed to replace them.
the machine doesn’t even work. freelancers do.
freelancers have to beg for a single dollar wage increase, while tens of millions are dumped into a machine designed to replace them.
the machine doesn’t even work. freelancers do.
one of the things that makes me most mad about genAI (and there are many) is we've been told there's not enough money for hiring. but there's billions poured into ai.
so not enough money to hire workers. but infinite money to pour into technology whose goal is never having to pay workers again.
so not enough money to hire workers. but infinite money to pour into technology whose goal is never having to pay workers again.
November 23, 2025 at 7:59 PM
this point really hits the nail on the head of why localization workers are so frustrated by “AI” loc companies.
freelancers have to beg for a single dollar wage increase, while tens of millions are dumped into a machine designed to replace them.
the machine doesn’t even work. freelancers do.
freelancers have to beg for a single dollar wage increase, while tens of millions are dumped into a machine designed to replace them.
the machine doesn’t even work. freelancers do.
Realised a degree in Anthropology wasn't very useful so decided to focus on my Japanese skills, but didn't want to be a translator because I didn't think I was good enough (I wasn't.)
Got a few jobs for companies where I could use/improve Japanese but none of them worked out so became a translator.
Got a few jobs for companies where I could use/improve Japanese but none of them worked out so became a translator.
November 23, 2025 at 3:14 AM
Realised a degree in Anthropology wasn't very useful so decided to focus on my Japanese skills, but didn't want to be a translator because I didn't think I was good enough (I wasn't.)
Got a few jobs for companies where I could use/improve Japanese but none of them worked out so became a translator.
Got a few jobs for companies where I could use/improve Japanese but none of them worked out so became a translator.
Reposted by Jenn Odd
Reposted by Jenn Odd
The Proofreader’s Guide to Comic Book Style came out a year ago today!
To celebrate my first book birthday, I’m running a 20% sale on all orders on comicbookstyle.com now through Black Friday with the code BIRTHDAY
To celebrate my first book birthday, I’m running a 20% sale on all orders on comicbookstyle.com now through Black Friday with the code BIRTHDAY
November 22, 2025 at 6:01 PM
The Proofreader’s Guide to Comic Book Style came out a year ago today!
To celebrate my first book birthday, I’m running a 20% sale on all orders on comicbookstyle.com now through Black Friday with the code BIRTHDAY
To celebrate my first book birthday, I’m running a 20% sale on all orders on comicbookstyle.com now through Black Friday with the code BIRTHDAY
Reposted by Jenn Odd
Ask yourself this: Do you want this to be the future of your anime watching experience, forever? If your answer is no, then act on it! If you are a journalist or anyone with a platform, talk about this! If you know such people, urge them to do so! Use my article as base! Now, before it's too late!
November 21, 2025 at 8:39 PM
Ask yourself this: Do you want this to be the future of your anime watching experience, forever? If your answer is no, then act on it! If you are a journalist or anyone with a platform, talk about this! If you know such people, urge them to do so! Use my article as base! Now, before it's too late!
Reposted by Jenn Odd
I don't know which of my kouhais need to hear this, but because I'm seeing this in a ton of commercial J>E game locs: you really shouldn't retain quotation marks in the same places as the Japanese source text 9 times of 10, especially outside dialogue. Punctuation parity in general is often sloppy.
November 21, 2025 at 1:07 AM
I don't know which of my kouhais need to hear this, but because I'm seeing this in a ton of commercial J>E game locs: you really shouldn't retain quotation marks in the same places as the Japanese source text 9 times of 10, especially outside dialogue. Punctuation parity in general is often sloppy.
Reposted by Jenn Odd
⏱️ 1 month left! Emerging translators: Apply for the 2026 ALTA Emerging Translator Mentorship Program for your chance to work closely with an experienced translator on a project of your choosing! Program offered at no cost to the translators selected. Learn more and apply by 11/30! buff.ly/npHAOBE
October 30, 2025 at 4:15 PM
⏱️ 1 month left! Emerging translators: Apply for the 2026 ALTA Emerging Translator Mentorship Program for your chance to work closely with an experienced translator on a project of your choosing! Program offered at no cost to the translators selected. Learn more and apply by 11/30! buff.ly/npHAOBE
Reposted by Jenn Odd
I will never forget having to edit Jamal’s final, posthumous piece for the Washington Post, after he was murdered.
He was calling for free expression in the Arab world. You can read it here :
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/glo...
He was calling for free expression in the Arab world. You can read it here :
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/glo...
Opinion | Jamal Khashoggi: What the Arab world needs most is free expression
The Arab world needs a modern version of the old transnational media so citizens can be informed about global events.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 18, 2025 at 6:48 PM
I will never forget having to edit Jamal’s final, posthumous piece for the Washington Post, after he was murdered.
He was calling for free expression in the Arab world. You can read it here :
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/glo...
He was calling for free expression in the Arab world. You can read it here :
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/glo...
Reposted by Jenn Odd
Delighted to finally share this episode of The Ottoman History Podcast doing a historical deep dive on The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi
www.ottomanhistorypodcast.com/2025/11/chak...
www.ottomanhistorypodcast.com/2025/11/chak...
A Sea of Sorcery: Roundtable with Shannon Chakraborty
produced by Shireen Hamza and featuring Fahad Bishara, KD Thompson, Liana Saif, Mahmood Kooria, Rebecca Hankins, and Samantha Pellegr...
www.ottomanhistorypodcast.com
November 19, 2025 at 9:17 PM
Delighted to finally share this episode of The Ottoman History Podcast doing a historical deep dive on The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi
www.ottomanhistorypodcast.com/2025/11/chak...
www.ottomanhistorypodcast.com/2025/11/chak...
Reposted by Jenn Odd
Unlike most apps these days, Scrivener does not use AI in any way. However, if you’re on a Mac, you may see an AI prompt.
.
Here’s why, and what you can do if you want to remove this: buff.ly/MlAq0rL
.
Here’s why, and what you can do if you want to remove this: buff.ly/MlAq0rL
November 19, 2025 at 6:04 PM
Unlike most apps these days, Scrivener does not use AI in any way. However, if you’re on a Mac, you may see an AI prompt.
.
Here’s why, and what you can do if you want to remove this: buff.ly/MlAq0rL
.
Here’s why, and what you can do if you want to remove this: buff.ly/MlAq0rL
Reposted by Jenn Odd
lol I fucking knew that little shit wasn't to be trusted.
Avoid the new Vine like a plague, they just want a pure dataset to scrape.
Avoid the new Vine like a plague, they just want a pure dataset to scrape.
November 18, 2025 at 6:58 PM
lol I fucking knew that little shit wasn't to be trusted.
Avoid the new Vine like a plague, they just want a pure dataset to scrape.
Avoid the new Vine like a plague, they just want a pure dataset to scrape.
Reposted by Jenn Odd
You can love someone you love even if you don't love yourself🏳️⚧️
But if you love yourself, you can love both yourself and the person you love. Your love becomes twofold.
So take care of yourself.
Your soul is beautiful.
But if you love yourself, you can love both yourself and the person you love. Your love becomes twofold.
So take care of yourself.
Your soul is beautiful.
November 18, 2025 at 2:33 PM
You can love someone you love even if you don't love yourself🏳️⚧️
But if you love yourself, you can love both yourself and the person you love. Your love becomes twofold.
So take care of yourself.
Your soul is beautiful.
But if you love yourself, you can love both yourself and the person you love. Your love becomes twofold.
So take care of yourself.
Your soul is beautiful.
Reposted by Jenn Odd
BY THE WAY
If you've updated to Windows 11 recently, you're probably on version 25H2.
There's a new setting in Settings: Privacy & Security.
Scroll aaaaaaaalll the way to the bottom and you'll see "Text and Image Generation."
TURN IT OFF.
If you've updated to Windows 11 recently, you're probably on version 25H2.
There's a new setting in Settings: Privacy & Security.
Scroll aaaaaaaalll the way to the bottom and you'll see "Text and Image Generation."
TURN IT OFF.
October 17, 2025 at 12:58 AM
BY THE WAY
If you've updated to Windows 11 recently, you're probably on version 25H2.
There's a new setting in Settings: Privacy & Security.
Scroll aaaaaaaalll the way to the bottom and you'll see "Text and Image Generation."
TURN IT OFF.
If you've updated to Windows 11 recently, you're probably on version 25H2.
There's a new setting in Settings: Privacy & Security.
Scroll aaaaaaaalll the way to the bottom and you'll see "Text and Image Generation."
TURN IT OFF.
Reposted by Jenn Odd
For the first time since its inception, I'm happy to report that ALL nominees of #TheGameAwards include #TranslatorsInTheCredits! We've come a long way since the dark days of credit withholding, and none of this would've been possible without your support!
November 18, 2025 at 11:02 AM
For the first time since its inception, I'm happy to report that ALL nominees of #TheGameAwards include #TranslatorsInTheCredits! We've come a long way since the dark days of credit withholding, and none of this would've been possible without your support!
Reposted by Jenn Odd
J-E false friends: 足が長い, "long legs"
This is a casual JP phrase used to describe tall or lanky proportions.
In EN, describing someone as having long legs takes on very different connotations. So a literal translation would be adding subtext that the source didn't have.
This is a casual JP phrase used to describe tall or lanky proportions.
In EN, describing someone as having long legs takes on very different connotations. So a literal translation would be adding subtext that the source didn't have.
November 18, 2025 at 3:40 AM
J-E false friends: 足が長い, "long legs"
This is a casual JP phrase used to describe tall or lanky proportions.
In EN, describing someone as having long legs takes on very different connotations. So a literal translation would be adding subtext that the source didn't have.
This is a casual JP phrase used to describe tall or lanky proportions.
In EN, describing someone as having long legs takes on very different connotations. So a literal translation would be adding subtext that the source didn't have.
Reposted by Jenn Odd
if you canceled disney ai slop plus, a small fraction of that sub can keep you in the know about some of the latest greatest sff short fic. you'll be talking about short stories at the water cooler instead of a marvel, and people will be like wow, this is one hip well-read person. what a cool cat.
In light of the astronomical increases for my health insurance next year, I thought it would be a good time to encourage people to subscribe. (A few hundred should cover it. Sigh.)
clarkesworldmagazine.com/subscribe/
clarkesworldmagazine.com/subscribe/
November 17, 2025 at 5:27 PM
if you canceled disney ai slop plus, a small fraction of that sub can keep you in the know about some of the latest greatest sff short fic. you'll be talking about short stories at the water cooler instead of a marvel, and people will be like wow, this is one hip well-read person. what a cool cat.
The digital subscription is really reasonable! $3.99 a month through Patreon.
In light of the astronomical increases for my health insurance next year, I thought it would be a good time to encourage people to subscribe. (A few hundred should cover it. Sigh.)
clarkesworldmagazine.com/subscribe/
clarkesworldmagazine.com/subscribe/
November 17, 2025 at 10:34 PM
The digital subscription is really reasonable! $3.99 a month through Patreon.
Reposted by Jenn Odd
Finally sharing possibly the coolest thing that's happened to me this year. Al-'Usur al-Wusta, in connection with the Ottoman History Podcast, organized a round table discussion on The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi. The essays can be found here, with the podcast episode soon to come!
November 17, 2025 at 11:15 AM
Finally sharing possibly the coolest thing that's happened to me this year. Al-'Usur al-Wusta, in connection with the Ottoman History Podcast, organized a round table discussion on The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi. The essays can be found here, with the podcast episode soon to come!
Went outside and touched leaves.
(These photos have not been edited. Just me and my Canon.)
(These photos have not been edited. Just me and my Canon.)
November 16, 2025 at 1:37 PM
Went outside and touched leaves.
(These photos have not been edited. Just me and my Canon.)
(These photos have not been edited. Just me and my Canon.)
Reposted by Jenn Odd
Ubisoft and Treyarch resorting to regurgitative AI in their big $70 “AAA” games is simply pathetic.
The lack of integrity, the lack of dignity, the lack of pride. Sure, it’s all expected, but nonetheless miserably *pathetic* to witness.
Have some fucking self respect for once.
The lack of integrity, the lack of dignity, the lack of pride. Sure, it’s all expected, but nonetheless miserably *pathetic* to witness.
Have some fucking self respect for once.
November 15, 2025 at 11:22 AM
Ubisoft and Treyarch resorting to regurgitative AI in their big $70 “AAA” games is simply pathetic.
The lack of integrity, the lack of dignity, the lack of pride. Sure, it’s all expected, but nonetheless miserably *pathetic* to witness.
Have some fucking self respect for once.
The lack of integrity, the lack of dignity, the lack of pride. Sure, it’s all expected, but nonetheless miserably *pathetic* to witness.
Have some fucking self respect for once.