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

[Tsalmaveth]

I have to ask...is there a english translation of the Japanese version of the DRK quests?

Yes. A tumblr user went through and translated the quests: Here and Here

The User discusses the differences in the translations, why they might have been and their own personal bias as well. I have my own feelings regarding them. There's just a marked difference in the tone and personality of the characters and I dislike seeing that, personally. I think the change was done for the audience and I don't know if I care for that kind of thing. But given how popular Frey is, it went over well regardless.

[Alucard135]

Here's something different that is a bit spoilery for 5.0 final boss story

It is when we rejoin with Ardbert and Emet Selch sees an Amaroutian for a brief moment.

The Japanese text, from my limited understanding, goes something like this "Impossible! Why are you here?!" and once the light fades he says "No, wrong... It's not him. (then I'm not sure what he says after)".

The English one goes "No... It can't be..." And then "Bah, a trick of the light. You are a broken husk, nothing more."

Even though it's a minor change, but story wise the Japanese one is revealing something different. Who is this "him" that Emet Selch is referring to? Are we somehow related to the Amaroutian that he created and had his own will and could see that our soul and Ardbert's are the same? In the English one, you wouldn't think that and probably just think that the WoL is becoming more like the Amaroutians.

[Clover_Blake]

And that's why I like the English Lyna more.

And I like the Japanese Lyna more, but I believe we aren't discussing our personal tastes but the accuracy of the translations.

Does it matter? It has no plot importance and it's a neat call back.

It matters to me that translators change the script whenever they want, and it's the point of this whole thread.

The script they write is original, as is the Japanese, French and German script. If I'm right about this, they're (including the JP localisation team) not directly translating the storyboard/authors work. Basically, you shouldn't say that the Japanese script is the original script. All scripts are the original. They're just slightly different so they work for the locale they're written for... assuming I'm right about this.

...?
I'm not sure I'm following. This is a Japanese game, the original scripters are Japanese, and every other language needs to be translated from one original script. They even explained the process of translating from Japanese to English during one of the Fanfests. A translation is not an original script, it's a translation ;
But I'm a bit confused here and perhaps there's some info that I lack.

When exactly does that play, though? I would like to know the context of the scene.

I don't remember the exact scene, but if the Japanese script shows Minfilia with a certain type of personality at that point of the story, it means that's the personality she's supposed to have. Otherwise we go into Haurchefant territory, where the translators decided to make a different character out of him.

This might be cool with some people, but some of us would rather the translation to be as accurate as possible (not necessarily literal, as I said; just accurate).

[Krotoan]

Here's something different that is a bit spoilery for 5.0 final boss story

It is when we rejoin with Ardbert and Emet Selch sees an Amaroutian for a brief moment.

The Japanese text, from my limited understanding, goes something like this "Impossible! Why are you here?!" and once the light fades he says "No, wrong... It's not him. (then I'm not sure what he says after)".

The English one goes "No... It can't be..." And then "Bah, a trick of the light. You are a broken husk, nothing more."

Even though it's a minor change, but story wise the Japanese one is revealing something different. Who is this "him" that Emet Selch is referring to? Are we somehow related to the Amaroutian that he created and had his own will and could see that our soul and Ardbert's are the same? In the English one, you wouldn't think that and probably just think that the WoL is becoming more like the Amaroutians.

But the one self aware Amaroutian alludes to you being someone in particular as well. I'll have to rewatch it but I remember they say something that suggests that not only are you one with Ardbert, you are someone he recognizes and thinks is notable. I definitely got the idea the WoL was not only part of a shattered soul, but an important one.

crouching spoilers, hidden plot elements.

[Radacci]

I recall this time when some npc spoke like 1-2 sentances in japanese, but it was translated into 1 word! Like really?
I don't really understand japanese, just a few words here and there, but i noticed often the translations seem off/awkward/incomplete, as if something was lost in translation.

[Enla]

But the one self aware Amaroutian alludes to you being someone in particular as well. I'll have to rewatch it but I remember they say something that suggests that not only are you one with Ardbert, you are someone he recognizes and thinks is notable. I definitely got the idea the WoL was not only part of a shattered soul, but an important one.

crouching spoilers, hidden plot elements.

Ten characters of screenshots.

Yeah he knew us, and from these two lines I honestly can't see us being /him/. I'd have to see the translated Japanese, German, French dialogue since you tend to get a better image of the story when you combine all the translations, but based on this particular wording we're very much /not/ Hyth.

Also neat fact, the gender of your past incarnation changes based on your own in this cutscene. Which was a cool touch honestly.

[Tsukino]

The script they write is original, as is the Japanese, French and German script. If I'm right about this, they're (including the JP localisation team) not directly translating the storyboard/authors work. Basically, you shouldn't say that the Japanese script is the original script. All scripts are the original. They're just slightly different so they work for the locale they're written for... assuming I'm right about this.

You are not right about this. A while back there was something posted by Koji Fox about how the English team and himself specifically work much closer with the Japanese team and are able to offer suggestions and work on things that will be used across all versions of the game - the specific examples at the time were titles and the language used by dragons. While this is much more direct involvement than localization teams usually get (which is often zero), for some reason a lot of people misinterpreted this to mean that they somehow co-write the story and the English version is somehow "just as original" which is patently false. The writers are Japanese and the other localization teams translate and then edit the story dialogue from the original scripts.

Again, they may have a greater ability to go back and say "hey this line doesn't seem to be consistent with this previous scene" and make all the versions better and more consistent for it. But they don't all sit in a room together and write in 2-4 languages at the same time, that would be ridiculous.

[Alucard135]

But the one self aware Amaroutian alludes to you being someone in particular as well. I'll have to rewatch it but I remember they say something that suggests that not only are you one with Ardbert, you are someone he recognizes and thinks is notable. I definitely got the idea the WoL was not only part of a shattered soul, but an important one.

crouching spoilers, hidden plot elements.

Ten characters of screenshots.

Yeah he knew us, and from these two lines I honestly can't see us being /him/. I'd have to see the translated Japanese, German, French dialogue since you tend to get a better image of the story when you combine all the translations, but based on this particular wording we're very much /not/ Hyth.

Also neat fact, the gender of your past incarnation changes based on your own in this cutscene. Which was a cool touch honestly.

Very interesting.

Yeah it seems we're someone else. But a very important one it seems. The story just keeps getting better lol

[PharisHanasaki]

Except I do. And I played in English. You need to play the full MSQ in English, not just random bits which would obviosly noy make sense. 'She' or 'He' was also close to Emet-Selch, and probably the member of the council that left.

[Nestama]

And I like the Japanese Lyna more, but I believe we aren't discussing our personal tastes but the accuracy of the translations.

Well it is accurate, like it or not. You said Lyna is complaining about how things are awful and unfair in Japanese. She's doing exactly that in English. She is lamenting that it's awful and unfair that she failed in protecting those she tried to save.

It matters to me that translators change the script whenever they want, and it's the point of this whole thread.

It's an extremely minor detail. In Japanese he could be having a nightmare about a certain point in the {you know where}, while in English he's dreaming about the conclusion of the {you know what}.

...?
I'm not sure I'm following. This is a Japanese game, the original scripters are Japanese, and every other language needs to be translated from one original script. They even explained the process of translating from Japanese to English during one of the Fanfests. A translation is not an original script, it's a translation ;
But I'm a bit confused here and perhaps there's some info that I lack.

Turns out I'm wrong about this bit. Regardless, we know that the localisation teams work closely together with everyone. So if there are some things you see and don't like (that are not mistranslations), just remember that it was given the okay by everyone, including the original writer.

I don't remember the exact scene, but if the Japanese script shows Minfilia with a certain type of personality at that point of the story, it means that's the personality she's supposed to have. Otherwise we go into Haurchefant territory, where the translators decided to make a different character out of him.

This might be cool with some people, but some of us would rather the translation to be as accurate as possible (not necessarily literal, as I said; just accurate).

Then I can't really argue on this. Minfillia throughout the story in English was been a shy and timid girl, with some points of being confident and brave, or needing a shoulder to vent on. Even after a certain point in the story, she'll raise concerns... but then gets shut down (this is big near ending spoilers. Do not click if you haven't reached the final zone).

I am going to argue that Haurchefant's personality wasn't completely changed, but toned down (he's still into the WoL, but not to the point of wanting to spend "quality time" with them, based on what I've heard). I have a feeling that if the localisation teams were working closely with the Japanese team back then, Haurchefant would probably have been what we had. Speaking of... what is JP Haurchefant like in HW? Was his supposed desire to 'bed' with the WoL toned down as it was for the other languages?

I think it's cool with most people, as only a minority will raise concerns with inconsistencies and the majority having no idea about them, or simply not caring as the localisation is perfectly fine.