An Introduction to Dragonspeak

[Delily]

Someone had to write it... you do realize that every translation team was at worst given a script of what the story is supposed to convey right?! It didn't come out of thin air as much as you might like to believe it did.
I guarantee you that the majority of folks playing this game (or any other game for that matter) want the ORIGINAL story content, translated as concise as possible... not completely re-written to the point that it egregiously leaves out at least 3 major points that Midgardsormr expressly conveys in the Japanese (aka Parent version of the story) text.
If you recall, we were also provided with extremely vague hints about how to pop S Ranks hunts compared to the other language translations. The translator(s) need to simply do their job and nothing more here.

They are doing their job, you just don't like what they do. You do realize Fernwhales doesn't act in a bubble, right? This was reviewed and approved. The Japanese version is not the golden source, it's more of a first draft, where they all share ideas and contribute. They didn't change the overall story.

Also, if you can't guess Fernwhales is a bit more than just a translator. It's called localization, not translation.

[Efrye]

I (and many others I assure you) want as close to the exact translation that the original content writer intended as possible.

I (and many others I assure you) prefer good writing even if it means straying from the source a little. Not everyone's a weeaboo who needs all stories to be presented in the same bland and boring manner.

[Ultimatecalibur]

I (and many others I assure you) prefer good writing even if it means straying from the source a little. Not everyone's a weeaboo who needs all stories to be presented in the same bland and boring manner.

Good writing does not drop info. Good writing gives all the information in a pleasing manner.

This:

ほう、汝も「超える力」を持つか・・・。幻体ごときでは、敵わぬのも道理よ。
So you too possess the Echo. That is why the phantom form cannot win over you.
然らば、我と引き合わせたのも、ハイデリンの意志か。 問おう・・・汝は何故、ここへ参った？
In that case, it is Hydaelyn's will that we shall converse. Tell me, why are you here?

dropped to this:

By Her gifts has thou earned a moment's reprieve.
Speak, mortal, and I shall listen.

is fine.

But, this:

確かに、北天の星を燃やすは、我が一族の猛き咆哮。進軍を告げる、鬨の声だ。
This is true, the star in the northern skies burns with the valorous roar of my kin. This is the battlecry, calling to advance.
一族が向かうは、イシュガルド・・・。畏れを忘れ、罪を犯したヒトの棲処。
Their destination is Ishgard, home of the people who have forgotten fear and have sinned.
[PC looks agitated]
これは報復よ。イシュガルドの民は、己が罪から目を背けた。その罪こそが、尽きることない戦の火種。
This is retribution! The people of Ishgard are blind to their sins. Their sins demand battle without end.
そればかりか、あの者どもは今、再び罪を犯そうとしておる。故に、我が一族は咆哮をとどろかせたのであろう。
And yet more, they want to sin again. This is why my kin roars.

turned into this:

Guided by a star...? Heh heh heh.
My people have heard the song. Ishgard shall burn.
[PC looks agitated]
Sons must answer for their fathers' misdeeds.
We do not forget. We do not forgive.

Just to include several pop culture references is not. The fact that the Ishigardians are preparing to "Sin again" being the reason for the new surge is an important point. The current translation makes it seem that the Dragons are just being vindictive.

I could go through it all and point out other parts where important bits of info and full sentences were misconstrued or left out, but I would rather not.

[MeeDeggiThePunisher]

I (and many others I assure you) prefer good writing even if it means straying from the source a little. Not everyone's a weeaboo who needs all stories to be presented in the same bland and boring manner.

What the hell does wanting a better translation have to do with being a weeaboo?

[Miitan]

---

Actually

In that case, it is Hydaelyn's will that we shall converse. Tell me, why are you here?

to

Speak, mortal, and I shall listen.

omits the idea that Hydaelyn has some vested interest in having the player meet Midgardsommr and, while you may think this irrelevant, it does raise questions as to the purpose of this.

Maybe I just like wordy exposition, but it seems that the translator has an idea of how he wants the dragons to sound and is going to run with it regardless of whether pertinant information is lost in the process which I find rather arrogant.

[Ultimatecalibur]

omits the idea that Hydaelyn has some vested interest in having the player meet Midgardsommr and, while you may think this irrelevant, it does raise questions as to the purpose of this.

Maybe I just like wordy exposition, but it seems that the translator has an idea of how he wants the dragons to sound and is going to run with it regardless of whether pertinant information is lost in the process which I find rather arrogant.

Well I got that off the "By Her Gifts" part of the line before, but I guess that adding "To honor Her" to the start second line would have made it better.

[Viridiana]

Actually

to

omits the idea that Hydaelyn has some vested interest in having the player meet Midgardsommr and, while you may think this irrelevant, it does raise questions as to the purpose of this.

Not if you actually read the line *immediately* before that, which you chose to omit.

[Miitan]

Not if you actually read the line *immediately* before that, which you chose to omit.

We can talk about that one too.

So you too possess the Echo. That is why the phantom form cannot win over you.

By Her gifts has thou earned a moment's reprieve.

Neither of these mention that Hydaelyn has a reason for your meeting with Midgardsommr, merely that you won the fight due to the echo. With the English text, it sounds more as though the echo is the only reason you've won, but that's more text nuance.

[Viridiana]

With the English text, it sounds more as though the echo is the only reason you've won, but that's more text nuance.

No, with the English text, it's more like "I could be killing you right now, but you have the Echo, so speak." And even in the JP, it seems to be that Mid is just assuming Hyd wants you to meet. Since I'm pretty sure Hyd doesn't have a vested interest in our every action, this is just an assumption.

[Anonymoose]

I fear that I will not be able to handle the content of this conversation with but two palms and one face.