Goku's Family Name in English and Western Order?

[Super Sonic]

As we all know the English version dropped the "Son" surname for Goku and his family, and I was wondering recently do you guys think Funimation should have kept it, or at least had it in western order and kept as it likely would've been if it were kept back in the mid-late 90s? For myself, I don't mind them not using it and to me saying "Goku Son" instead of "Son Goku" doesn't quite sound right. More so since to me "Goku Son" sounds to much like "Goku-san". Anyone else agree or disagree?

[VegettoEX]

You could say the same thing for One Piece -- is anyone actively saying "Luffy D. Monkey"...? Whose preference is that? I certainly have nothing against it, but I can't personally wrap my head around saying/thinking it in that order.

If you want to take it a little in-universe even, we know that surnames are incredibly rare in the Dragon World, so maybe it's normal for what few folks that have it to put it "first" in the order of names, rather than it having anything to do with being "Japanese".

It's not so strange for folks to be referred to by their last name even in "our culture". Think about the sports world -- how often do you refer to sports celebrities by either their full name, or by just their last name? I'm showing my age here, but think about "Jordan vs. Bird". As for why in the context of the show I think it should have been kept, the characters that do call Goku by his last name do it in distinct ways for distinct reasons (specifically thinking about Bulma, Tenshinhan, and Piccolo [and in that order]), which gives everything a bit more flavor and personal touch.

[Piccolo Daimao]

Agreed. It wouldn't really affect the series much. Also, I think Gokuu's "Son" should be kept in the original Japanese order. I don't know whether or not the excuse of "it's a Japanese name" is valid, but it just sounds more natural.

[Herms]

The whole practice of re-ordering names from Eastern to Western order is hardly set in stone. It's generally not done for Chinese names unless the person in question actually lives or works in a Western country, and for Japanese names it's only done for modern Japanese people and not historical figures. Goku's name is taken from a historical/legendary Chinese character, so that could be taken as a reason to leave the name in Eastern order. Certainly you're never going to see the Monkey King of Journey to the West called "Wukong Son" so it'd make sense to treat the name "Son Goku" the same way. And the series is not set in modern times or in any real country, so there's no particular reason to treat Goku's name as if it were that of a modern Japanese person. On the other hand, in Chapter 518 Toriyama does draw Goten in a shirt that says "Goten Son", so there's some precedent within the series, though pretty much ever other romanization for Goku/Gohan/Goten seen in Japanese products keeps their names in Eastern order.

[dbboxkaifan]

They should have kept Son Goku, not always, but as it was on the Japanese script.

The Portuguese dub loves Son Goku's name so much they always called the entire family (except Chichi) as Songoku, Songohan, Songoten. Spanish Castellano dub had Son Gohan as Songohanda.

FUNi's Kai Dub is pretty damn good so I don't mind not having "Son Goku" at all times, but they did make an epic Kai Goku I Am Speech, close to the Japanese.

Reason they didn't kept Chichi as Chichi is because in Portguese "chichi" means piss, so her name is "Kika". Guess similar thing happened to the Latin Spanish dub for calling her "Milk".

[samuraix123]

Here's the video that dbboxkaifan was talking about
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ov0sx1-NrMg I think it's just weird to hear sean schemmel say ''I am Son Goku!'' I think they should have left that in the Japanese version.

[dbboxkaifan]

Here's the video that dbboxkaifan was talking about
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ov0sx1-NrMg I think it's just weird to hear sean schemmel say ''I am Son Goku!'' I think they should have left that in the Japanese version.

In Burst Limit he said Son Goku too "I am Son Goku... A Super Saiyaaaaaaaaaaaaaan!".

[Haji]

Yeah that moment in Burst Limit really shocked me. I was used to how Funimation seemed to hide Goku's last name. I remember after that cut scene I had to pause the game and sit there, just in shock. Another thing Funimation seems to hide in the anime is the word Ki. I know they mention it in the games. Like Budokai 2, and that surprised me a little.

[dbboxkaifan]

Yeah that moment in Burst Limit really shocked me. I was used to how Funimation seemed to hide Goku's last name. I remember after that cut scene I had to pause the game and sit there, just in shock. Another thing Funimation seems to hide in the anime is the word Ki. I know they mention it in the games. Like Budokai 2, and that surprised me a little.

Goku's last name?

iirc Goku's first name is Son and last Goku, thus far, Son Goku, Son Gohan, Son Goten and Son Chichi (never heard Son Chichi, just Chichi).

[VegettoEX]

No, "Son" is his last name. In Japanese, surnames come first. And again, even if you want to take it in-universe, it's explicitly stated by Videl that surnames are rare, and it's strange for Gohan to have a last name (being "Son").

Bulma, Piccolo, and Tenshinhan all refer to Goku by his last name in their own ways ("Son-kun" from Bulma, straight-up "Son" by Piccolo and Tenshinhan, etc.).

[dbboxkaifan]

Thanks, VegettoEX, I'm glad FUNimation didn't call Goku as "Goku Son" on the English dub, because it'd be so weird.

Son Goku = fantastic
Goku Son = um...

narrator: "Goku Son" viewer: Goku son?

I do know the Japanese use their last and then their first name but thought DBZ would be an exception.

[Piccolo Daimao]

Another thing Funimation seems to hide in the anime is the word Ki. I know they mention it in the games. Like Budokai 2, and that surprised me a little.

The games seems to have a separate translating team or something. Remember "King Kai Fist" from Budokai 1?

Thanks, VegettoEX, I'm glad FUNimation didn't call Goku as "Goku Son" on the English dub, because it'd be so weird.

Son Goku = fantastic
Goku Son = um...

It's only weird because we're not used to it. I agree that I'd prefer them using "Son Gokuu" instead of "Gokuu Son", but I acknowledge that it's only because it sounds more natural to me. But people have already contributed valid reasons why they think it should be rendered as "Son Gokuu" in English media.

[Adamant]

As Herms said, "Son Goku" is just the Japanese reading of the Chinese "Sun Wukong", a literary historical name, and western precedent for both Chinese names and historic Japanese names (which does include literary names) is to keep the "family name-given name" order... so the "correct", standard and accepted western way of writing his name would indeed be... "Son Goku".

When is the last time you saw anyone talk about "Zedong Mao"?

[Ringworm128]

slightly off topic but I thought if I'm going to post this story this is the place. Back when I first switched over to the Japanese dub I noticed almost everyone put things like "san" "kun" and "sama" in peoples name so when I saw Son Goku and Son Gohan I just assumed it was another one of those words. Before you tell me about honerifics I know all about them I just didn't know back then. Back on topic I don't really think "Son" would have made the dub better if anything it would have taken up mouth flaps forcing either the script wrighters to simplify the scripts even futher to fit the mouth flaps or have the voice actors rush the dialog as if they were in the Big Green dub. Also Goku Son just sounds strange (must be from me reading it the other way round for so long).

[Herms]

Back on topic I don't really think "Son" would have made the dub better if anything it would have taken up mouth flaps forcing either the script wrighters to simplify the scripts even futher to fit the mouth flaps or have the voice actors rush the dialog as if they were in the Big Green dub.

For that matter, the "ku" takes up a lot of space as well. They should have just called him "Go".

[Ringworm128]

Back on topic I don't really think "Son" would have made the dub better if anything it would have taken up mouth flaps forcing either the script wrighters to simplify the scripts even futher to fit the mouth flaps or have the voice actors rush the dialog as if they were in the Big Green dub.

For that matter, the "ku" takes up a lot of space as well. They should have just called him "Go".

But that would completely destroy his name Goku at least keeps half the name and taking away ku might leave flaps open making the wrighters stretch the dialog out "I am Go A SUPER DUPER SAIYAN!!!

[AgitoZ]

But that would completely destroy his name Goku at least keeps half the name and taking away ku might leave flaps open making the wrighters stretch the dialog out "I am Go A SUPER DUPER SAIYAN!!!

I believe Herms is making a point.

When you start cutting the "Son" part of his name for lip flaps, what's stopping them from continuing to cut up his name? "Son" is just as important "Goku", since they are both part of, you know, his name.

[dprez]

I think it's interesting how Bulma, Tenshinhan, and Piccolo are few who call him "Son". Bulma was the first person Goku met, and she knew him when he was just a boy.

Tenshinhan was his first rival followed by Piccolo, and all when he was still just a little shrimp. They would all feel comfortable calling him "Son-kun" or "Son", even after they grow up simply because they fought with him on equal grounds when he was young. Kuririn and Yamcha were never really able to challenge him at his full power like Tenshinhan and Piccolo were.

I do think it adds a lot of character to them, and the story, when they use his last name like that unlike most of the others. Shows that certain connection they have with each other.

[linkdude20002001]

narrator: "Goku Son" viewer: Goku son?

Son isn't pronounced like the word son; it's pronounced "sohn" like the word sewn.

[dbboxkaifan]

Just supposing FUNimation were to be true the Japanese name of Goku on I Am Speech:

"I am the Super Saiyan, Gokuson!!" son would sound like soun/sohn/sõn. Still so weird sounding/writing. eh.

Schemmel reading the script: "I am the Super Saiyan, Gokuson!!" is this what I'm suppose to say? . I imagine, heh. =P