Some fans of Netflix’s overnight hit Squid Game have pointed to discrepancies in the English translation that they feel rob certain audiences of the distinctive flair of the Korean script.The BBC ran a story about Squid Game’s translation issues that cited Feeling Asian podcast host Youngmi Mayer's critiques of the translation. While a viral Twitter thread, and corresponding TikTok, of Mayer's pointed to some specific examples of mistranslation in the Netflix series, she is far from the only Korean-speaking creator to raise awareness of this issue.RELATED: What Is Netflix's Squid Game About - and Why Is It Terrifying Everyone?

Audiences fluent in Korean have mentioned that the imperfect translation of Squid Game’s English subtitles ranges from fairly innocuous to entirely misrepresenting the original meaning of lines and characterization. Crucially, many moments that reiterate the class struggles thematically inherent to Squid Game’s story having seemingly been deemphasized in the English subtitles.

One specific example, referenced in Mayer’s viral TikTok, comes from Kim Joo-ryoung's character, Mi-Nyeo. A piece of her dialogue that would have read along the lines of "I am very smart, I just never got a chance to study" became “I'm not a genius, but I still got it worked out" in Squid Game's English translation. The original intention of such a line reinforced the classism explored in Squid Game, by employing a traditional trope of a clever character who lacked access to educational resources. However, this element, important to Mi-Nyeo's characterization, was lost in this seemingly innocuous mistranslation.

RELATED: What's the Scariest Competition in Squid Game?

In their TikTok, Mayer also referenced the sanitized manner in which cursing or harsh language had been translated for the English-speaking audience. Many audiences fluent in both Korean and English have made similar comments on social media about the cursing in Squid Game. Toning down the harshness of certain lines can likewise askew character intent as well as cheat English-speaking audiences of the chance to experience the full impact of Hwang Dong-hyuk’s cutting and clever dialogue.

While many have pointed out that Squid Game’s English language subtitles do a much better job at capturing the original script than the closed-captioned subtitles, the consensus is that the series’ translation still has a long way to go. This has put the spotlight on the important and often overlooked work of translators. Critics of the translation point out that these issues could have been avoided by investing in and valuing translators, who are frequently overworked and underpaid.

RELATED: The Squid Game Doll Is Real - and, Somehow, Even Creepier

BBC mentioned yet another issue raised in inaccurate translations, in that it presents an obstacle for those trying to learn new languages. Someone just starting to learn Korean may be granted a misrepresentation of the language in Squid Game that disrupts their burgeoning understanding of the languages’ nuances.

Despite an English translation that has left audiences with something to be desired, Squid Game has been a breakout sensation for Netflix, with the nine-episode series currently available for bingeing audiences on the streaming service.

KEEP READING: Squid Game's Ending, Explained: Moral Bankruptcy and a Shocking Reveal

Source: Twitter, BBC