View Full Version : Anyone annoyed with the bad translation?
DurakkenX
Apr 24, 2007, 11:49 AM
I realize in games there are going to be errors that happen, but this is far beyond that...The translations are so bad that they even get them wrong when they are given in the game very visibly and on many pieces of the artwork state the correct english translation.
So far there are translation errors in...
#1 weapon descriptions (they are attached to wrong weps)
#2 weapon names and other items
#3 Nanotransformer has been called at least 1 other thing
#4 Endrum Collective supposed to be Endrum Organization
#5 The shield line system has 2 names, one for fleshies and one for casts
#6 Name of missions, check out story line mission 5
#7 The in-game translations are noticably done by 3 different people and have grammar problems throughout.
Isn't it a bit too much? Even when you look at the manual you will notice a very large difference between the sizes of the manuals and whats in them.
JAFO22000
Apr 24, 2007, 11:59 AM
No. I'm just glad it was translated. After dealing with the bad grammar on these boards, how can you complain about the few mistakes in the game?
Also, I enjoy the "kitchy-ness" of the bad translations. "Halp Serafi" is way better than "Half Seraphim", IMO. While the latter may be the correct translation and what some people wish it would be, it's generic moniker lumps it in with the likes of "sword" or "knife". "Halp Serafi" will be remembered for it's incorrectness, thus giving it a unique feel.
AC9breaker
Apr 24, 2007, 12:02 PM
I agree with JAFO, it adds to the personality of the game. Just like the original Resident Evil had shitty voice acting and dialogs to boot, "I was bit by a giant snake, OUCH!" It made the game that much more memorable and even gives us a few good laughs as we recount the hilarity of that aspect of the game to our peers. I feel the same way with the mistranslations with the Phantasy Star games.
amtalx
Apr 24, 2007, 12:03 PM
There aren't that many games of JP origin that have really robust translations to begin with. I've come to expect it, and even enjoy it when it results in something truly ridiculous.
A2K
Apr 24, 2007, 12:04 PM
There's no excuse for the grammar mistakes, item description oddities, and a lack of consistency, but realize that there usually isn't an absolute way to translate many Japanese words and phrases. The meaning is what needs to be translated, which may or may not coincide with the literal. Context needs to be considered as well--and tack on that considerations for lip synching in voice acted cutscenes need to be taken into account as well. A prime example of this is your #4:
Popping the kanji for what became "collective" and you insist was "organization" into Google Translator spits out the word "system". Who's right? http://www.pso-world.com/images/phpbb/icons/smiles/icon_wacko.gif
On 2007-04-24 09:59, JAFO22000 wrote:
Also, I enjoy the "kitchy-ness" of the bad translations. "Halp Serafi" is way better than "Half Seraphim", IMO. While the latter may be the correct translation and what some people wish it would be, it's generic moniker lumps it in with the likes of "sword" or "knife". "Halp Serafi" will be remembered for it's incorrectness, thus giving it a unique feel.
The former (and what it actually is in the game), "Halp Serafi", is more correct than the latter, given how the name was constructed in Japanese.
<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: A2K on 2007-04-24 10:10 ]</font>
AweOfShe
Apr 24, 2007, 12:07 PM
On 2007-04-24 10:02, AC9breaker wrote:
Just like the original Resident Evil had shitty voice acting and dialogs to boot, "I was bit by a giant snake, OUCH!"
You were about to become a Jill-sandwich!
DurakkenX
Apr 24, 2007, 12:18 PM
On 2007-04-24 10:04, A2K wrote:
Popping the kanji for what became "collective" and you insist was "organization" into Google Translator spits out the word "system". Who's right? http://www.pso-world.com/images/phpbb/icons/smiles/icon_wacko.gif
This isn't a matter of whether I'm just being picky... I know this for a fact that it is Endrum Organization. You can read it clearly on many things in the game and in the visual book it is even listed as such
As far as lip synching...well they sucked at that on both versions so I don't think that's a good excuse.
amtalx
Apr 24, 2007, 12:24 PM
Out of sheer curiosity, what exactly is it you like about this game DurakkenX? Just looking at your posts here and there, it doesn't seem like you really approve of any of ST's methods. Please note that this is a serious question. I'm not trying to flame you.
A2K
Apr 24, 2007, 12:25 PM
On 2007-04-24 10:18, DurakkenX wrote:
this isn't a matter of whether I'm just being picky... I know this for a fact that it is Endrum Organization. You can read it clearly on many things in the game and in the visual book it is even listed as such
Other parts of the game say things like "Now 4 Sell" and "We wishes a good travel", too. The PSO Episode 1 & 2 art book makes references to "Galdabal Island" and "Olga Frow". (Oh, don't even get me started on "WE WISH IT AT AN ALLIANCE FROM SEVERAL YEARS AGO" either...)
Ultimately, translation oddities of this nature are spectacularly minor when it comes to the big picture. Unless using "Collective" over "Organization" has some sort of widespread storyline ramifications, I'll go with the official translation because it works.
<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: A2K on 2007-04-24 10:26 ]</font>
Mikaga
Apr 24, 2007, 12:31 PM
I don't really care besides when it screws with tradition, for example Regene becoming Reverser (screwing with a nearly-20 year tradition of Reverser being the Phantasy Star resurrection spell), or the inconsistencies with Shifta/Agtaride, Reverser/Antimate, etc.
Neith
Apr 24, 2007, 12:35 PM
Doesn't Magashi's chest plate (in offline story) say Endrum '---'? I can't remember what the 2nd word is on his chest, or if there even was one, but surely that'd put an end to the 'Collective' vs 'Organization' question?
I'll stick with Collective anyway, it sounds a lot better, and if that's what it's called (and not a typo), I'll call it that.
What does annoy me a bit (but it's still amusing too) is the amount of descriptions that are badly phrased, ones with incorrect grammar, as well as the abundance of typos in game.
Agito Repca, Tengoh Bow etc. http://www.pso-world.com/images/phpbb/icons/smiles/icon_disapprove.gif
Edit: Anyone noticed at the Kego Clearing Lobby, when you go to to Demon's Above, the pop-up at the door says 'Kugo Hot Springs Area' http://www.pso-world.com/images/phpbb/icons/smiles/icon_wacko.gif
<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: UrikoBB3 on 2007-04-24 10:37 ]</font>
Weeaboolits
Apr 24, 2007, 12:55 PM
They're fun, haven't you ever read the description to Karen Rescue 2 offline?
I only remember part of it, it goes something like this:
It faces the recapture of Karen, whose dougi is an own father. XD
Golto
Apr 24, 2007, 01:00 PM
Vullseye and Bt lovers decro enough said. http://www.pso-world.com/images/phpbb/icons/smiles/icon_razz.gif
Fleur-de-Lis
Apr 24, 2007, 01:22 PM
Taking into account SoA's QA budget, I'm impressed the translation is as solid as it is. I'm far more annoyed at the English VO, but that can be said of most localized titles, as far as I'm concerned.
imfanboy
Apr 24, 2007, 02:16 PM
I think Vullseye is cute. http://www.pso-world.com/images/phpbb/icons/smiles/icon_razz.gif
And man, Fleur, have you HEARD some of the JP voice acting? <_< I didn't know seiyuu could BE so bad and so annoying. This is one of the few games where the ENGLISH is better, if only because you at least stop wanting to strangle them about halfway through the game.
God, I hate the Vol brothers in Japanese.
It takes 2 things to be a good translator:
1) An excellent knowledge of the language you're translating from
2) An ability to creatively write the language you're translating to.
You can't have just one or the other, but if I had to rate one more highly, it'd be the second. I may not have a great knowledge of Japanese (I'm stuck at about a grade-school reading level without the help of dictionaries), but I've translated several doujinshi and my translations ARE good because I get a general idea of what they're saying in Japanese and then figure out how to say it in English.
Sometimes, though, it IS impossible to translate directly, and that's when you've gotta suck it up, be a man, and gracefully ignore what they put in there. An early volume of Excel Saga comes to mind - in the Japanese version, Excel comments on the tanuki statue floating past thanks to the flood; in the English, however, she comments on the Colonel Sanders statue going to Davy Jones' locker because while many americans might know about tanukis, it wouldn't have the same humor punch as the one about Sanders.
It's in the second half that these guys kinda... well... fail.
They should just pay me to do it, I'd have you guys drooling for new story adventures. The dialogue would snap, crackle, pop! http://www.pso-world.com/images/phpbb/icons/smiles/icon_razz.gif
VanHalen
Apr 24, 2007, 02:36 PM
I love the translations. It makes everything funny. Super high end custom probably Idk if that is a weapon description but some sound like that and Halarod's "hoton" reactor.
Fleur-de-Lis
Apr 24, 2007, 03:04 PM
Yeah, I played through the JP Story Mode, and I can see what you're talking about imfanboy. I'm not trying to claim that all seiyuu are superior, or even good, but that the English VO (in localized games, anime, etc.) rarely meet my expectations of "talent", and PSU is far from an exception. In many cases, it seems to me, the production teams (not just @ ST) just hire anyone, most like their children, "weird uncle", or some acquiantance to whom they owe a favor, in order to save money.
In regards to the translation, I agree for the most part, but off-kilter translations have become such a staple of localized RPGs over the years that I've come to expect them. It would be nice to see a fluent translation to English, though, just to prove it could be done.
imfanboy
Apr 24, 2007, 05:55 PM
I did rather like the localization of Dragon Quest 8 - there weren't any terribly rough spots I can think of, nor any terrible voice actors. It takes a bit for the King and Yangus's to find their 'voice', but other than that I did enjoy it a great deal. The use of properly English voice talent added a level of, well, validity to it seeing as how the DQ games are set in that sort of fantasy swords-and-sorcery style.
I take that back; there was one voice that I didn't like, but she only played a minor part near the end. The girl who could inherit the casino? She bugged me a bit. Other than that, pretty darned good.
DurakkenX
Apr 24, 2007, 07:04 PM
wth? this is not a rant, the topic, but the following few sentences will be.... This i a question about PSU not related to gameplay... therefor it fits in general PSU. what is wrong with moderators >.>more than 90% of the guides and such are just retarded questions that should be deleted as they have been answered or need to go in a question section...If this is a rant then I would have to conclude that more than half of PSU general is a rant...
amtalx... I like the gameplay and the things they do right...which is mainly the gameplay. Actually i like most of the concept of PSU and anyone that reads into what i post more than just skin deep would realize this. I've also been known to say that ALL of the PS games seem to be really great ideas that Sega or Sonic Team just fuck up badly. It's my opinion ST is a really bad developer... either that or someone in middle management is go "i think this should be here", or "this should be cut" and due to monetary pressure is messing up a really great idea. This is specifically why I refuse to work for certain companies even though I have had the opportunity to work with them.
As far as On Topic...While I agree some of it is cute and not distracting. like "Bule" in PSO, this goes far beyond that. There are just glaring errors that you see the two different translations within a few seconds of each other, like mission 5 of online story mode. The mission select screen comes up and it's one thing and then when the mission starts it the right translation.
And yes, across magashi's right chest it says Endrum Organization... On the back of his left elbow guard and on his left chest has the EN symbol, and on his left thigh it has UNIT XX on it. ^.^
Nai_Calus
Apr 25, 2007, 01:24 PM
Bad translations in a PS game? Yeah, like that's never happened before. XD (Since when is Noah a girl's name?)
Nothing new, to PS or any other series. XD
Weeaboolits
Apr 25, 2007, 01:40 PM
On 2007-04-25 11:24, Ian-KunX wrote:
Bad translations in a PS game? Yeah, like that's never happened before. XD (Since when is Noah a girl's name?)
Nothing new, to PS or any other series. XD
Not to steal your thunder, but...
http://www.pojo.com/fma/anime/bios/pics/Noah.jpg
Her name is Noah.
HUnewearl_Meira
Apr 25, 2007, 03:15 PM
Welcome to Phantasy Star, DurakenX. Where a planet can be called Palma, Palm or Parma, Motavia or Mota and Dezoris, Dezo or Dezolis, a man can be Tajim or Tarzimal, and androgynous wizards can be Noah or Lutz. Where Lassic and Lashiec are the same name, and the color of the water around here certainly. Where two localizers can't agree on who's what, where's who, and therefore save the fans some confusion. This is Phantasy Star, where proper nouns are identified by fluctuating spellings more readily than by capitalized letters.
This is Phantasy Star. Spelling means nothing.
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