A request for more accurate (to the source) translations...

This has been raised before, but with the recent title fiasco, I feel a need to bring it up again, since this sort of reinvigorates the issue. Going forward, can the English localization please try to stick to the script (the spoilery title is not present in the other localizations)?

As someone who speaks Japanese (and plays with Japanese dubbing with English subtitles) I've been shocked to see the vast differences between the original source and the supposed translation. Things are changed seemingly arbitrarily, and it changes the meaning of the scene. I remember one scene where Cid is recalling that he has a ship--in the English version, he says, "I have a ship?", but in Japanese, he's repeating the name "Enterprise," like the name sounds familiar to him. There's a subtlety present there that goes missed in the English translation. This may seem like a small thing, but this sort of stuff is everywhere.

The title issue is just another symptom of the problem. It was evident before with much of Midgardsormr's text in 2.5 being shortened/abbreviated from its Japanese version. We also had issues with Haurchefant having a rapid change in personality in the English version midway through 2.0-2.5 because again, the English localization didn't stick with the source. Now we have this problem with titles which has again has had to do with the English localization straying from the source.

And yes, I saw the apology. But I want to know what's going to be done about the problem, and keeping translations accurate to the source.

Some days ago my friend compared the names of dragoon skills. He was shocked (me too as lot of other players) how much differ the english skill names from the original Japanese. I don't know why the localisation stuff do that

I thought the scripts for all the translations were made at the same time in a room together there's no true "source"?

Also I'm not upset at Koji fox for this as much as I am with the player base. Aside from people under different language settings not knowing about the spoilers, every player aware of the spoilery title made the conscious descision to use it just to spite others.

I don't blame gun makers when people shoot at each other; I blame people not being responsible with their weapons.

Localisation is done to make it more understandable and relateable for the target audience.
You might speak Japanese, but most people that play in English/German/French do not, and the translation being made in such a way that the point comes across well to overseas players makes sense.
We do not all share the same culture after all, and some things that are okay in one might have entirely different connotations in another.

Haurchefant's character change has been discussed to death, and while I personally also did not apprechiate it,
I see where they were coming from and know a lot of players who would have considered him a creeper, not a friend, based on his behaviour.

What I do think though, is that the translators should check with each other more.
If 3 languages do something one way, adjust the fourth. Don't throw it out there and have one single audience be totally confused/get spoiled/etc.
Like for example, the New Year's poem is the same in JP, EN and FR, but completely opposite in German.
The titles for 3.5 were the same for JP, FR and DE, but different only for EN (that big spoiler). That kind of stuff shouldn't happen :x

Koji has explained his reasoning before. Sometimes its because of context. Sometimes its because direct translations come off as rather flat. Your dealing with different languages and different audiences. Subtleties in one might be completely lost on the other.

Its also worth noting that in a number of cases its actually the reverse. A lot of stuff is given English names first and then translated into something else in Japanese cause it doesn't translate well otherwise.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Xyno

Some days ago my friend compared the names of dragoon skills. He was shocked (me too as lot of other players) how much differ the english skill names from the original Japanese. I don't know why the localisation stuff do that

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Well it has a lot to do with what sounds "natural" or fluid in one language, but quite too literal or jarring when directly translated to another.

Making major changes to the way that the English version of the game is localised at this point simply risks alienating those of us who actually enjoy the way in which the game world is portrayed. The Japanese version is very, very literal - and even bland at times - whilst the English localisation is usually more subtle, nuanced and theatrical. It's often darker too - which is pretty awesome as a fan of FFXII, FF Tactics and Vagrant Story.

The spoiler in the title, however, definitely needed to be changed.