Tokyo Babel Translation Discussion

[littleshogun]

As for ChaosRaven comment above, looks like Conjueror here decided to use French word here for fancy term of power source and localize the rest. The reason I said that because I'd read that in one of manga (Kaichou wa Maid-sama) scan translator note it was said that English people like to use French word in order to be more fancy sounding, just like Japanese use of English word. Well, since we had English localization here, of course Conjueror would choose to keep French word here (I also knew that the real text here would be also 'Raison d'être' there). Hope my answer here help, and if you need clearer answer, just ask me.

[Decay]

Raison d'être is in most English dictionaries, you know. It is part of the common English vernacular. 

It was also French in the original Japanese script. This isn't the same as not translating one of the Japanese words. The intent behind its usage in the original script was probably to give it a very important, fancy, and exotic sound. This intent is maintained just fine by keeping the phrase as-is.

[ChaosRaven]

46 minutes ago, littleshogun said:

As for ChaosRaven comment above, looks like Conjueror here decided to use French word here for fancy term of power source and localize the rest. The reason I said that because I'd read that in one of manga (Kaichou wa Maid-sama) scan translator note it was said that English people like to use French word in order to be more fancy sounding, just like Japanese use of English word. Well, since we had English localization here, of course Conjueror would choose to keep French word here (I also knew that the real text here would be also 'Raison d'être' there). Hope my answer here help, and if you need clearer answer, just ask me.

Well, the use of 'fancy' sounding words surely isn't unique to English people. The Japanese, and VN's in particular are probably the kings of fancy sounding words themselves. The heavy use of English words in katakana sometimes, despite having a perfectly fitting word in Japanese, is almost baffling.

Though at least they get that somehow right most of the time, but things get worse if they think they have to use German for even more advanced 'coolness'. It's often spelled and used so wrong that it gives me the chills. And for some weird reason it's mostly for magic spells and such. I mean, why is German considered some kind of 'magic language' for them?! I speak and hear it all day but it's totally boring - no fireballs, no lightning bolts and not even a decent meteor strike from a beer tent full of bawling drunks. 

40 minutes ago, Decay said:

Raison d'être is in most English dictionaries, you know. It is part of the common English vernacular. 

It was also French in the original Japanese script. This isn't the same as not translating one of the Japanese words. 

Yeah, I suspected as much. It's more a personal gripe of mine and something I'd have to blame the original Japanese script for I guess.

[WinterfuryZX]

15 minutes ago, ChaosRaven said:

Well, the use of 'fancy' sounding words surely isn't unique to English people. The Japanese, and VN's in particular are probably the kings of fancy sounding words themselves. The heavy use of English words in katakana sometimes, despite having a perfectly fitting word in Japanese, is almost baffling.

You're a native English speaker, right? Use of random English is normal in most languages nowdays.

[ChaosRaven]

14 minutes ago, WinterfuryZX said:

You're a native english speaker, right? It's normal in most languages nowdays.

No, I'm German. But it's still nice that someone is confusing me with a native speaker, since it means that my English doesn't seem to be as bad as I sometimes think it is. 

But I think the Japanese use English words in katakana much more heavily than Germans use anglicisms in German texts, at least in casual language. It can be different if it gets to specialist discussions in scientific, professional or certain hobby areas. I wouldn't even know how to accurately translate certain English terms from software development into German.

[WinterfuryZX]

Maybe things are not so bad in Germany, lol.

[BookwormOtaku]

I wasn't expecting this thread to remind me of back in college where I took a History of the English language course and one part of the course I remember is how when we were taking a look at different phases of "old" english (there's actually a topic there on what qualifies as "old english") one of them was how aspects of French became integrated into the language as seen by comparing two versions of Canterbury Tales: one written with the older style of english and the other where the French influence was pretty clear.

[ChaosRaven]

And not to forget, there's British English, American English and my favorite - Scottish English 'Braveheart' style. 

[Ningen]

1 hour ago, ChaosRaven said:

And not to forget, there's British English, American English and my favorite - Scottish English 'Braveheart' style. 

Don't forget the Aussies, Kiwis, Canadians etc. 

[DharmaFreedom]

Hi guys, was wondering what the mention of Asakiyumemishi (the tale of genji? ) on Sorami's ending list title means,

Whats the relation?  Will be grateful for the clarification, Thanks.

[Conjueror]

2 hours ago, DharmaFreedom said:

Hi guys, was wondering what the mention of Asakiyumemishi (the tale of genji? ) on Sorami's ending list title means,

Whats the relation?  Will be grateful for the clarification, Thanks.

Even I've got no idea. Perhaps the story in that manga parallels what happens in that ending?

[DharmaFreedom]

7 hours ago, Conjueror said:

Even I've got no idea. Perhaps the story in that manga parallels what happens in that ending?

Hmm so curious.

Spoiler

 

Btw was cerberus mentioned as a He instead of She in the Japanese version too?

Also do you have any idea about the end of Setsuna's end where some mystery woman reads a story to a child regarding Setsuna and Lilith's life, any hidden meaning to that scene? 

 

Thanks for the reply!

[Conjueror]

6 hours ago, DharmaFreedom said:

Hmm so curious.

  Reveal hidden contents

 

Btw was cerberus mentioned as a He instead of She in the Japanese version too?

Also do you have any idea about the end of Setsuna's end where some mystery woman reads a story to a child regarding Setsuna and Lilith's life, any hidden meaning to that scene? 

 

Thanks for the reply!

 

Yeah, Cerberus is referred to as "he" in the Japanese script.

As for the woman at the end of Setsuna's route, I don't remember that well, but I think it could have been Sorami. I think the voice-actress is the same at least. I don't think there's any particular hidden meaning beyond what she says though. It was just a poetic way to end the story.