Voice Acting
1
[color=#ff0080]I also think it's important to point out proper Japanese Pronunciation.
Because we're doing Japanese anime, we're inevitably going to run across pronouncing Japanese names or words, some of which can be very syllable-heavy and intimidating.
For Japanese anime dubs, I tend to hear two extremes. Lets use the name Yoshiko Mikami as an example.
The first extreme is someone who actually thinks they're speaking Japanese, no matter that the rest of the dialogue is in English. Putting on this "Asian accent" can make a line sound terribly awkward. Think of that Hispanic newscaster who has no accent whatsoever until they say their last name (i.e. Fernandez). It makes you double-take.
Example 1: http://vocaroo.com/?media=vb3tsIzC2iIl7csK5
The second extreme is the exact opposite. Not only do we drop the accent, but we drop the pronunciation completely. Japanese has a very rigid vowel and sound-emphasis structure. Putting the same emphasis on words as if you are speaking English can sound sloppy and really doesn't honor the original name and sound. (Think POH-KEE-MAHN vs. POH-KEH-MOHN)
Example 2: http://vocaroo.com/?media=vKlddk1zpJmJAp2z2
I think it's important to find a good balance and remember that, although you want to have proper Japanese pronunciation, you are an English-speaker. Therefore, keep the vowels and emphasis correct, but keep the accent light.
Example 3: http://vocaroo.com/?media=vU9uuuKMxkgULDxTj
If anyone needs practice pronouncing Japanese names or general pronunciation tutorials, let me know and we'll get some skype practice going. I'm here to help!
^^~❤❤[/color]
Because we're doing Japanese anime, we're inevitably going to run across pronouncing Japanese names or words, some of which can be very syllable-heavy and intimidating.
For Japanese anime dubs, I tend to hear two extremes. Lets use the name Yoshiko Mikami as an example.
The first extreme is someone who actually thinks they're speaking Japanese, no matter that the rest of the dialogue is in English. Putting on this "Asian accent" can make a line sound terribly awkward. Think of that Hispanic newscaster who has no accent whatsoever until they say their last name (i.e. Fernandez). It makes you double-take.
Example 1: http://vocaroo.com/?media=vb3tsIzC2iIl7csK5
The second extreme is the exact opposite. Not only do we drop the accent, but we drop the pronunciation completely. Japanese has a very rigid vowel and sound-emphasis structure. Putting the same emphasis on words as if you are speaking English can sound sloppy and really doesn't honor the original name and sound. (Think POH-KEE-MAHN vs. POH-KEH-MOHN)
Example 2: http://vocaroo.com/?media=vKlddk1zpJmJAp2z2
I think it's important to find a good balance and remember that, although you want to have proper Japanese pronunciation, you are an English-speaker. Therefore, keep the vowels and emphasis correct, but keep the accent light.
Example 3: http://vocaroo.com/?media=vU9uuuKMxkgULDxTj
If anyone needs practice pronouncing Japanese names or general pronunciation tutorials, let me know and we'll get some skype practice going. I'm here to help!
^^~❤❤[/color]
