Even the French dub called it "Black Butler." With a French accent no less.

[amanuensis1]

I've always been a snob for "the original way things are," where "original" translates to "The way things were when *I* first found them" (so, that kind of "it's all about me" snob), but I am discovering that the title Black Butler comes to my lips more easily these days, with the American release of the DVDs, with English dub. Prior to this I clung to Kuroshitsuji without compromise, but when I find a simple phrase like, "Black Butler will be out on DVD in just a few days!" comes out of my mouth and gives me no twinge of, "What did I just call it?", well, maybe it's time I caved. It's good that English-speaking audiences will discover it and an English title helps that. It's not a proper noun, after all. But I keep feeling like the source material will turn its back on me in one collective flounce for the offense.

This, as I'm actually starting to begin learning Japanese, too, beyond just practicing hiragana and katakana over 'n' over. I learned to write fourteen kanji this week!

Comments

[neocloud9.livejournal.com]

I think the English title sounds kinda badass, myself. >:3

[amanuensis1.livejournal.com]

It certainly doesn't sound fluffy!

[neocloud9.livejournal.com]

Plus, it's waaay easier to pronounce. XD;;

...And we're lucky to get a literal translation that actually sounds cool!

[crescent-moony.livejournal.com]

"African American Indentured Servant"?

[neocloud9.livejournal.com]

ABOUT TIME YOU SHOWED UP.

[crescent-moony.livejournal.com]

SORRY, I WAS BUSY. XD;

[amanuensis1.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I had someone ask me if that was what it was about! I know some minds will go there.

[crescent-moony.livejournal.com]

My friend who knows of Kuro (but doesn't watch it) has decided to call the dub that. XD

[themostepotente.livejournal.com]

God, finally this is coming out on DVD.

[amanuensis1.livejournal.com]

It's hard to believe it's taken this long! I first discovered this thing in summer 2008.

[ariadneelda.livejournal.com]

where "original" translates to "The way things were when *I* first found them"

Heh, I'm like that too. Sometimes I don't even know what things are called in their translated versions in my country, or vice versa - don't know their original names. It depends on when and how I found something. And usually what sticks to my mind is the version in which something was when I first found it.

I really like the sound of Black Butler, it's an intriguing title, especially for someone like me who's never seen Kuroshitsuji and doesn't even know how to pronounce it. But I still like Kuroshitsuji best because, well, that's how I know it. Plus, if I start seeing both names, it might be a little confusing trying to remember they're the same thing. ^_^

[amanuensis1.livejournal.com]

So far I haven't been able to create a "Black Butler" tag for the lj, and that's telling. I tell myself I'm afraid of the overlap and maybe that's all there is to it. ^_^

[crescent-moony.livejournal.com]

Guess I'm still a snob, because I prefer "Kuroshitsuji" over "Black Butler" for a number of reasons. But I do use "Black Butler" when refering to the American releases, since... well, that's what they're called in America. XD;

Yea! Ganbaru~ :D

[amanuensis1.livejournal.com]

I'm used to Kuroshitsuji, I prefer it, but I think if I'm talking about it with an English speaker who has no idea of what I'm speaking, I sort of owe it to them to use the English title.

[crescent-moony.livejournal.com]

I don't disagree, but I'd probably tell them the Japanese name, too, because 9 times out of 10 the first thing that jumps out of my mouth is "Kuro" or "Kuroshitsuji," not "Black Butler." So if we're gonna be talking, they're gonna have to know both titles. XD;

[amanuensis1.livejournal.com]

I would get worse than blank stares from some folk if I said the Japanese name, though. I'd get instant, "Some of her Japanese shit. Not interested," turn-off.

Wanna hear my extra-special snobbishness? I refuse to call it "Kuro." I tell myself I wouldn't abbreviate "Black" if it were Black Butler, would I? I'd call it BB if I needed to abbreviate it. My personal abbreviation for it has long been KSS, actually.

[crescent-moony.livejournal.com]

Well, introduce with the American name, then. After that, slip in the Japanese. XD

Personally, I don't like KSS-- it doesn't make sense to me, as a student of Japanese. ^^; The name comes from two words "kuroi" and "shitsuji." So if someone were to call it KS, that'd make sense; the extra s doesn't. I always have to think for a good five minutes WTF people are talking about when they call it KSS. XD;

[robotlove.livejournal.com]

Till this day I still do not understand why people saw the need to stick to the original Japanese, especially when it means exactly that - BLACK BUTLER.

Though I must admit, all the kuroshit jokes are amusing when people get lazy to type and pronounce the full title.

[amanuensis1.livejournal.com]

*rolls eyes in sympathy* Yes, everyone sees the joke in the middle, but, like you and me, some of us like a bit more sophistication to our humor, thanksverymuch!