Differences between English and Japanese MSQ Dialogue (bit of a rant)

[seida]

Yes, I play with Japanese audio and understand Japanese. I certainly wouldn't describe your example as a "major difference", nor can i really think of any.

Rephrasing is not a major difference.

[Kaethra]

This.

A lot of cultural features of the Japanese language just do not make sense in English. It would be a grave error to translate things literally.

Its the main reason I can't get into anime unless its been subbed/dubbed properly. I simply don't get the little cultural quirks and humor that is in japanese culture.

Hell I'm having problems with newer shows due to a generational gap. Such when a protagonist does something that seems perfectly logical and helps everyone, but then the side characters get upset because they weren't asked before. Even though it helped them.

[Dualblade]

So this is the third thread in like two or so days about differences between languages, specifically for Japanese and English.

Something to remember is that both versions are essentially being worked on at the same time, with a slight preference towards the Japanese version. I'm not sure where the French and German ones stand on their importance, if they are also equal or if they are more "hard" on their translations compared to English's localization.

Basically though you will be getting the same amount of forshadowing and plot, even if one version sometimes can seem a bit more vague. Usually the English one to my understanding but its almost always figured out before people can even chime in on how more direct the Japanese version is.

[AriaEnia]

I'm not a native English speaker and the amount of ancient English language used in this game confused me a bit.

[Halivel]

I can't really remember any serious differences (except Haurchefant 's literal reworking in English version), but still it makes me "???" almost every time. I know that translating is not always literal and that's okay, but sometimes it completely changes the atmosphere of the scene (off-top kind of, but I remember how different was 2B in Nier:Automata in EN and JP version... she says same things by meaning, but the way how I perceived her personality was completely different). I can't say if it's good or bad, it is just what it is.

However, when there are some differences, I always wonder where is the original? Because didn't Koji Fox said somewhere in the past that some scenes originally written in English and then translated to Japanese?

[Mahoukenshi]

Be very, very alarmed if you ever see a rice ball replaced with a jelly doughnut.

Like it or not but something like that is perfectly normal and common in a localization, even though Onigiri may have become more well-known in western countries. You replace stuff and referencere your target audience is not familar with with something they are familar, unless the foreign concept IS a core element of the game (see Persona's decision to keep honorofics or Okami games). Many professional academic books about video game localization (including MMOs) will confirm this.

[Kobalos]

Yeah it annoys me. In the Japanese version heavenward Hauchfaunt pretty much invite the WOL back to bed but in the English version they tone him right down >.>

[Halivel]

I'm not a native English speaker and the amount of ancient English language used in this game confused me a bit.

So true... and if talking to dragons was okay, every time Urianger opens his mouth I want to kill him. Not sure that he uses ancient English tho but his way of speaking makes me cry.

[Enla]

Yeah it annoys me. In the Japanese version heavenward Hauchfaunt pretty much invite the WOL back to bed but in the English version they tone him right down >.>

That was for cultural reasons. The trope Haurchefant plays in Japanese is kind of the lovable pervert and is a pretty common trope in a lot of Japanese stories. It's normal and not seen as a bad thing there. In English however when translated those same bits of dialogue cross a /lot/ of uncomfortable lines that would have likely soured a lot of people against the character. Because we're meant to empathize and mourn for him, SE made the correct choice to tone him down in the English localization. He's still very much into the WoL but he isn't charging straight into sexual harassment territory. This is why a lot of people are referencing culture when they talk about localization. It does, sadly, matter when one wants to get a certain intent across. I do think they made his feelings a touch too ambiguous in the English text, but I'll take English Haurchefant over Japanese Haurchefant any day of the week.

[Bhearil]

On ShB instead of Master Matoya in japanese we have Big Sis or Big sister Matoya which imo is far better since it shows respect AND how liked she is between the community.