I've seen a lot of people make the argument of "Translate as directly as you can. If something cannot be translated, then leave as is.". And I'm of the same opinion that that is how it should be. There is a nuance between languages that extends beyond just translating the words, which also explains why it is that "finding and equivalent" is the LAST thing you should do.

You're example of "You son of a bitch" does actually have a direct equivalent in Japanese: 「貴様」 (Translated as "You [ Son of a Bitch ]/[ Bastard ]" ). However, because of the way Japanese is structured, you know that the accused did something unspeakably wrong if that term is ever used, whenever it is used (To where there is actually a slightly less "crude" phrase, 「手前」, that would be more equivalent the American usage of "You SOB", but doesn't actually mean "You SOB". It's just a rude way to say "you" ). From what I've learned of Japanese, the Nips are extremely autistic when it comes to politeness. In fact, they have dozens of ways to say "me; myself; I" and "you", however the actual usage of the word "you" is almost never used because it's very usage is considered rude itself. You say either the person's name (With the appropriate suffix) or don't even say their name at all. And, this is why you shouldn't force the translations to "work in English" (Or whatever language you're translating into). Just take a look at how I've used the word "you" in five of the previous seven sentences (Excluding when "you" is in parenthesis). In Japanese, you're not suppose to do that. I would have to say either "vigorousjammer" every time I'm referring to you, or just not use your name at all since it is pretty clear, from the context of this post, that I'm replying to you .

As I've heard someone so sophisticated put it, "Language is a culture", but do not mistake that to mean that learning the language itself means that you now understand the entire culture and the people that speak the language. There are 59 countries that speak English, 29 that speak French, 26 that speak Arabic, 20 that speak Spanish, and 10 that speak Portuguese. Culturally, majority of us are as different as night and day from nation to nation in our actual customs and rituals (Even those of us neighboring each other), but, understanding how it is that we speak starts giving you an insight into how it is that we think. And, if I may say, this "culture" is one aspect that is severely lacking in translations, especially in recent ones. Back when I joined this place (Seven years ago, according to me account), translations used to leave about half of the Japanese phrases and terms completely untranslated. And, in the translation notes, the teams we're explaining how it is that Japanese culture actually functions, and gives greater insight into how the writer, and his target audience (The Japanese people), think and see the story that is printed on the page. However, looking at translations now, you have people that have trivialized Japanese (At best), OR are sanitizing the more "controversial" aspects of Japan and her people (At wor-, hold on a second:

).

Long story short, if you're translating a story, don't embellish upon it, don't trivialize it, don't "correct" it, and don't censor it. Give us the text that is is printed on the page and that is it. If a direct equivalent exists (As in, the actual phrase/term itself does exist, unaltered, in the language the work is being translated into, regardless of how the phrase/term is viewed), only then use it. If it doesn't exist, leave it unchanged and make a note in the margin or at the end of the chapter. Actually, after typing all this, I'm now starting to wonder how much of a story is being lost in the translation process nowadays. I think I actually learned more about Japanese culture from watching the 15 year old Ani-Kraze translation of Bomberman Jetters than I have reading much of the scanlations (And unofficial anime translations) made in the past couple years.