Dubs generally tend to lose more meaning as they are translated, as not only does the written meaning change, the intonation and atmosphere are also lost as well (though again, highly dependent of the translation quality). I know this from experience as reading the English-translated Perfume by Patrick Suskind, watching the German movie release w/ sub and the English-dubbed release all tended to follow the same trend I described here, being originally a German piece of work.
Same would go for other American works that have encroached their way into the Japanese anime industry, (Cthullus Mythos by H.P. Lovecraft, Romeo and Juliet, etc.). All their meanings become skewed upon translation into a different medium. However, the skill comes from preserving the meaning of the original work along with employing a bit of freedom of the translation in order to connect with the audience better. Again, I personally find that it is more consistent with subs than dubs.
Meaning isn't only narrowed in the translation, but the medium itself. Light novels tend to have the most freedom of interpretation from the creator and audience, followed by manga and visual novels, ended with live-action movies and anime (including anime movies). So a light novel translated into English would have less uncertainty of meaning than an anime translated into English (with the same quality).
Same would go for other American works that have encroached their way into the Japanese anime industry, (Cthullus Mythos by H.P. Lovecraft, Romeo and Juliet, etc.). All their meanings become skewed upon translation into a different medium. However, the skill comes from preserving the meaning of the original work along with employing a bit of freedom of the translation in order to connect with the audience better. Again, I personally find that it is more consistent with subs than dubs.
Meaning isn't only narrowed in the translation, but the medium itself. Light novels tend to have the most freedom of interpretation from the creator and audience, followed by manga and visual novels, ended with live-action movies and anime (including anime movies). So a light novel translated into English would have less uncertainty of meaning than an anime translated into English (with the same quality).
