Thoughts about Podficcing in Cdrama fandoms

NOW WITH AUDIO VERSION HERE

 

With the recent boom in popularity of cdrama, I’ve heard a lot of fans wanting to jump into fanwork creations for these fandoms, and more specifically podficcing, but wary and hesitant due to fear of being disrespectful. So allow me to share some of my thoughts on this topic.

Just as one should approach creating ANY content of ANY culture that is not their own; Do it with conscientiousness and be willing to put in the work.

Here’s my not-quite 3 steps guide to doing that:

Step 0 . Approach the Challenge with a Mindset of Positivity and Openness

Step 1 . Do your homework

Step 2 . Do your best.

Disclaimer: These are my personal takes as a Chinese Diaspora person engaging in C-fandom content from a western, anglophone fandom perspective. These opinions are coming from me as a fan creator, lifelong language learner and ESL teacher. YMMV.

I’m going to talk about podficcing in Cfandoms specifically. But the same applies to any fandoms with a canon in a foreign-to-you language, or any works which contain names/terms in a foreign-to-you language.

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STEP 0

Approach the challenge with a mindset of positivity and openness.

Coming in with a mindset such as “Mandarin is such a peculiar language! It’s too difficult and I’m afraid I’ll never get it right”, while an extremely valid sentiment, needs to be challenged from the start.

For one, it defeats your enthusiasm for creation. Why decide that you are going to fail before even trying? Just like learning any new skill, you have to be willing to put in the effort to practice and gradually build up that skill! You don’t expect yourself to be able to hit a perfect volleyball serve or throw clay flawlessly on the first try, do you? Keep practicing!

For another, that kind of thinking is pretty alienating. It’s not moon-speak. It’s a human language spoken by plenty of other humans. Most people have all the physiological tools needed to be able to succeed in making the relevant sounds. Perhaps you haven’t learned how to use your tools in that specific way yet, and may have an awkward time of it at first, but that’s only a natural part of learning something new. Keep at it! 

Thank you @yue_ix for providing some examples of turning a positive mindset! 

I’ll never sound as good as a native speaker! → I’ll get better and better as I keep trying and practicing! More cake is still more cake! 

I’d feel awful about being called out on a mistake. → I am a beginner and will be thankful to anyone letting me know of my mishaps so that I can know how to improve. 

I want help, but I don't want to inconvenience a beta. →  I did what I could but now I’m stuck, so I’d be grateful to anyone who can offer some help.

STEP 1 . DO YOUR HOMEWORK

+Look up the words you don’t know how to say. 

It is simple courtesy. The internet is FULL of resources for learning Mandarin these days. Several fans have even made specific fandom guides! (Here are mine!) Use! These! Resources!
People would not be going through the trouble of creating these resources if they did not want other fans to use them and engage. 

+Don’t be afraid to ask for help. 

If you are unsure, seek out a chinese-able beta listener to help you! If you are not comfortable approaching individual fans, seed your query in a fan community space. 

Podficcing fandom is great for being extremely encouraging of people trying to overcome their perfectionist tendencies, and embracing imperfect/raw fanworks. However, if you are going to yolo any part of your podficcing process (minimal to no editing, no retakes, etc), maybe do not yolo foreign-to-you word pronunciations. Raw/unpolished audio can maybe hurt my ears but not my personhood. Deciding to not even try to learn how to say foreign words properly can feel othering and dismissive of an entire language and culture.

Some people record on a momentum. Doing research and looking up words can break that. Keep in mind that any learning and resource gathering done now, even if it results in no podfic at that time, might mean the next momentum will be able to be carried through!

For me, it’s important to be a more conscientious language user and fan creator. If that means losing momentum in order to do better prep work, that’s a trade I'm willing to make.

STEP 2 . DO YOUR BEST 

That is really all we want. Just give it your best shot, confidently and genuinely. 

No one is asking for perfection. No native speaker of any language expects learners to sound exactly like them; they just want to be able to communicate effectively. Keep this objective in mind: Communicating effectively. (Also, perfection is an illusion. Chinese, like most languages, contains MULTITUDES of different dialects and accents. It’s just all part of what makes it richer.)

Keep in mind that you might still be criticized. It can be hard, and it can hurt. But if it’s genuine good faith feedback intended on helping you correct mistakes and get better, take that with grace. If it’s a troll, ignore it. Be proud of what you’ve accomplished and keep improving! 

Don’t let the fear of criticism prevent you from continually putting your best foot forward in creating the content you want to create. 

Keep giving it your best. Everyone’s best is different. Have fun. 

As we say in Mandarin:  加油! Jia You! (lit: add oil) 

 

BONUS FOOD FOR THOUGHT

• Behind-The-Pod has this excellent episode in which they address the topic of podficcing foreign words at around 28:00. Go give it a listen! 
• This article is an excellent read: There is no permission slip for Diversity by S. Qiouyi Lu
• Another thought provoking article: On White Fear and Creating Diverse Transformative Works