Weird english

[AshlikeSnow]

Snip

Actually we have been referred to as warrior of light on many occasions at least in the Japanese dialogue and I do remember also in the English Translation. I find it amazing this exact discussion is being talked about right in the lore forum and also there is a poster that confirms what I said:

Spoiler Quote

This is a spoiler so please don't click the quote arrows if you do not want to see the Japanese dialogue.

[Beckett]

I'm not sure why you quoted me there, as I absolutely agree that the translation of the game is deeply suspect and needs to be improved

I quoted you because I disagree with your assertion that the translation is bad. No version of the game is worse than any other, the problem is that they're different from each other. The only way to get all of the information is to play the game in every language. This is a problem that needs to be fixed in the Japanese version of the game just as much as it does in English, French and German.

[Nestama]

Actually we have been referred to as warrior of light on many occasions at least in the Japanese dialogue and I do remember also in the English Translation. I find it amazing this exact discussion is being talked about right in the lore forum and also there is a poster that confirms what I said:

We've been called as such in the English version as well, but Hydaelyn specifically only calls us a Warrior of Light when we have the Blessing of Light (or does she always call us the WoL in the Japanese version? regardless of crystal progress).
Looking at both quotes, I prefer the English version more.

[Ama_Hamada]

Well I agree with it, if you where born a 1000 years ago, you would have spoken what was common then and I think it does a good job giving that feel

[Niwashi]

my stance is that the English Localization suffers from major differences compared to the original version

So why aren't you complaining about how the Japanese translation suffers from the changes it made to the original English? That would be equally true (and equally false) as the way you keep trying to characterize it, since both are originals.

Nobody's arguing with you about their not being different. They're arguing with you because you've arbitrarily picked one to be your favorite, and so are ascribing the differences to being a fault in the other.

They're different because different things work in English than work in Japanese. In English, having different dialects according to a character's background does a great deal for establishing the characters and cultures they come from. In Japanese, the same effect is sometimes done with dialects, but is more likely to be done just with differing levels of formal, polite, casual, or abrupt grammar (none of which even exist in English). They're very different languages, and in order for something to be well written in each, it's going to have to be written differently in each.




Now when it comes to things (like the Haurchefant case) where actual content differs, that's a completely different issue than the one about language and dialect. On these type of issues I completely agree. All versions should be saying the same thing.

I think the English localization team has been doing a really beautiful job at conveying character through the use of language. But any time different information is conveyed, or a character comes across with a different personality, that's a failure in the various teams (on both sides) at coordinating their versions. (And in the Haurchefant case, even SE agreed that that was a coordination failure and made a policy to not let that happen again.)

[AshlikeSnow]

These individuals are expected to work side by side with the development teams here in Tokyo as they transform the JP source into flowing, natural text in the target language, while taking care to ensure that players in all regions will have comparable emotional experiences.

I consider the JP source as the main source of story content. That quote is from Corvinoobus from his apology thread.

[Nestama]

And now all the teams are working closely together (as said in that very thread you mentioned). So if something is said slightly differently, then you must fault everyone, including the Japanese team, for agreeing on it.

Or deal with it.

[AshlikeSnow]

And now all the teams are working closely together (as said in that very thread you mentioned). So if something is said slightly differently, then you must fault everyone, including the Japanese team, for agreeing on it.

Or deal with it.

I still consider it to be the main source as they are taking from it and turning into their own flow of things. Every main FF game we know of has always originated from Japan being the main source. Not sure what more to say about it.

[Joeking]

Ah wouldn't it be cool if the characters spoke with cool kid lingos?

Example scenario:

Minfilia : I've got reports Ifrit is causing trouble.
Thancred : lels.
Y'shtola : #Soooooo2014 #Canyounot #ugh

[Niwashi]

(Getting away from the side topic of content differences and back to just the original topic of dialects and archaisms here)


The English localization team is in a somewhat difficult position due to the spread of the language. English isn't the most widely used primary language in the world, but it certainly ranks way up there in its use as a secondary language. As a result, of all the players whose primary language isn't any of the four supported by the game, a great deal of them are playing it in English, and have a really wide variation in fluency levels.

The localization team putting out the English version has to decide who their target audience is: native speakers of English, or those attempting to follow it in a foreign language and picking English as the best understood of the four options. Should they go all out to enhance the experience for native speakers (and those with a near native level of fluency) by reinforcing characterization and cultures through the deft use of language? Or should they give the game the broadest possible base even if it means dumbing down the storytelling a bit in order to ensure those with just passable English skills can follow everything more easily?

They've chosen to target the localization to native speakers. Perhaps I'm being a bit selfish here since I am one, but I'm glad they did so. The game would be a far lower quality overall if they'd chosen simplicity over flavor.