Teyandee. What is it?

[Kitsune]

You may or may not remember me. I'm that guy who was translating the SPC Famicom game.

A long, long time ago, I managed to get the script translation made by Team Nihonbare, and had it checked by a friend who's lived and worked in Japan (Shih Tzu). He recently sent me a checked script for revision since it seemed that the original Nihonbare dump had a few typos - and after checking them, I sent it back to him. I hope to have a final translation soon.

But that's not the point of this post.

I'm doing a script revision at the moment, but there's one things that I don't get, and needs clarifying.

Why do the cats scream "Teyandee!" all the time? What's it supposed to mean?

... thanks.

[Violet]

OK, I know this one!

"Teyandee" doesn't actually have an English translation.  Some people have translated it as the equivalent of the slang phrase "Bite me" or "F__ you", but that's not 100% accurate.

First of all, "teyandee" is an old fashioned word that isn't used much in modern Japanese.  It's used in KNT because of the show's unique mix of high tech and old Edo-period Japanese setting.

A Japanese fan, Tetsuya-san, once explained to me how the word "Teyandee" evolved:
 "nani wo itte iruno desu ka?
(what are you saying ?)

nani wo itte yagaru
(what are you saying ? (with disdain))

nani itte yandee
(the same as above ; but even less polite, more actual spoken
language)

The word captures the spirit of the people of old Edo. It would be best translated as a combination of "You may say or do as you like but I won't go along with it", "Humph!!","Bite me!!", "You got me!" , "bulls___!"  It's a retort to another person's assertion and a sign of disapproval.

And that's about the best anyone is going to be able to explain this, because as I said, there is no English version of the word "teyandee".

[KageReneko]

Teyandee means Teyandee...

[Kitsune]

Thanks, Violet.

I ask this because I am going to have to come up with an equivalent to this phrase... or at least a suitable replacement. I'll see what I can do.

[BurkeWorld]

TEYANDEE!

Teyan-burke-eeeeeeeee!

[Daisensei]

A correction, only says "Teyandee" all the time, in KNT 02 episode one explains that it is his "kutiguse" (err, I don't now how to translate this to English, perhaps habitual phrase  ). After a fashion this word shows the personality of .
As always, our Bunny Princess give the most accurate descrition possible, im my opinion. 
However Kagereneko is right, as there is no western equivalent for Teyandee, better don't try to translate to English! Some Japanese expressions is more suitable to feel than to interpret, in my opinion. I see no way to translate it to Portuguese, although I am fluent in both languages, perhaps "não estou nem aí" is the best try I could do (any Brazilian fan to agree or disagree me?).
My suggestion, translate てやんでえ to Teyandee  (sorry, you must have Japanese fonts in your computer to understand this little joke).

[D-Mac]

Yeah, Teyandee probably won't really need a direct translation attempt for the script.

Somewhat like how Eek The Cat, from the 90s cartoon of the same name, often used the catchphrase "Kumbaya!".

(Though "Kumbaya" actually has a direct meaning in English, Eek never used the word in the correct context.)

[Supersonic]

Thanks, Violet.

I ask this because I am going to have to come up with an equivalent to this phrase... or at least a suitable replacement. I'll see what I can do.

Just leave it untranslated then, I suppose, and include a translators note in the first episode. That's the way I would prefer it.

[Kitsune]

You guys are aware that I'm planning a Teyandee version and a Samurai Pizza Cats version, right?

My script modifications would be for the Pizza Cats version. I'm gonna try to be as faithful as possible to the original spirit and writing style used in the US version. It will also have the US names. The Teyandee version will have the Japanese names and slightly different puns.

That is, if I can get the darn script to fit...

Edit:
Sensei - My dictionary says that くちぐせ -is- "Habitual Phrase".

[Violet]

You guys are aware that I'm planning a Teyandee version and a Samurai Pizza Cats version, right?

My script modifications would be for the Pizza Cats version. I'm gonna try to be as faithful as possible to the original spirit and writing style used in the US version. It will also have the US names. The Teyandee version will have the Japanese names and slightly different puns.

That is, if I can get the darn script to fit...

Edit:
Sensei - My dictionary says that くちぐせ -is- "Habitual Phrase".

For the SPC version, just do it like the Saban writers did and use whatever word happens to fit and works best.  For the Teyandee version, just leave it as "Teyandee", all SPC fans will get it without need for translation.

[Kitsune]

i don't mean to be demanding or anything, but since MM007, Violet, and i worked on the original translation a couple of years ago, would it be alright if any of us three made some rules about rewriting the script?

... huh?

I was going to ask for advice on the SPC version, since I am not very familiar with some of the puns and running gags the show used. As for the KNT version, I'll likely stick with the retranslated version, with some light changes made for humor purposes (and where there's no possibility for context to appear).

I had the script retranslated because my translator said there were many errors in it (including a few typos which he told me to check up on). Your translation was used for context purposes only as far as I know.

I don't know, maybe I'll think better in the morning. Look me up on AIM so you can explain things to me or something.

[ApacheMan2K]

listen: i'm very sorry for bringing that "guideline" nonsense up before. i thought about making rules for personal reasons, though i'd rather not explain them. so, i've deleted those two posts i made earlier. my apologies for being selfish -_-

[Kitsune]

Uh. Okay?

Violet explained the whole thing to me. I understand your reasons - I'm a Spanish-English translator and it kinda irks me when people change what I write as well. So don't apologize, there's nothing to apologize for.

[Tigriss]

Usually I prefer people not try to translate "Teyandee!" for all the reasons mentioned above, but since you're making an SPC version too, just do what the original writers did and ad-lib. 

[ApacheMan2K]

and in the KNT version, let's just leave it as "Teyandee"; not just for the same reasons Tig has pointed out, but also because it's part of the title, and because it's Yattarou's catch-phrase.

[Kitsune]

But I already said that I wasn't changing Teyandee ;___;

[ApacheMan2K]

oh, um...right ^^;; my bad...

[KageReneko]

The good thing od leave Teyandee without translate is that this can be more personal for Yattarô, in the Rurôni Kenshin the catchphrase of Kenshin is Oro (He always says this when is hitted) and the fandubs leave it wothout translation... A lot of people (Including me) think that is cooler than just translate to Aaah!!...

Also remember that a KNT translation needs keep its original name CatNinDen (Or Kyatto Ninden, I don't know but I like more the first one) Teyandee, and if you erase the Teyandee's from the script the name will lost its sense...

 

[Kitsune]

I think the title "Cyborg Stealth-Attacking Felines from Little Tokyo" is better.

[KageReneko]

I think the title "Cyborg Stealth-Attacking Felines from Little Tokyo" is better.

Are you serious??