A social semiotic multimodal analysis of ateji translation in manga

Ateji (当て字) pertains to one of the unique uses language in manga that is constructed with two types Japanese scripts. Its one-of-a-kind structure presents challenges translation, but feasible solutions have hardly been explored. Drawing on ateji categories, social semiotic multimodal approach and translation procedures, this study performs qualitative content analysis identify practical ways reconstruct closest meaning ateji. It finds most adopted procedures reflect partial transformations because target language’s lack resources can be used convey ateji’s complex meanings. Nevertheless, translations published 2010s shown a smaller font size – resource typography mode glosses produce transformation into text. This finding has also revealed writing are effective modes translation.