Why is the english translation so bad?

[Nathmathics]

as someone who can understand japanese whoever translated this into what the VA's were told to say and subtitles must be someone pretending to know japanese, please dont hire them ever again. There is so much lost info and motivations that just gets dumbed down and it really sucks.

[The_Box]

Origineel geplaatst door Call Sign: Raven:

Origineel geplaatst door Melodia:

Do you really think that I, of all people, am advocating for literal translation? My post history is open. Shouldn't be hard to find some posts I made on translation topics.

There’s this one that I replied to lmfao:

“ And at the least, FFVI, SoM and CT were Woosley translations, which makes them about as far from literal as it gets.”

I'm sorry, where in the post did he say they were bad localisations?

[Call Sign: Raven]

Origineel geplaatst door The_Box:

Origineel geplaatst door Call Sign: Raven:

There’s this one that I replied to lmfao:

“ And at the least, FFVI, SoM and CT were Woosley translations, which makes them about as far from literal as it gets.”

I'm sorry, where in the post did he say they were bad localisations?

Might want to re-read and double back. Conversation is about “literal translation” not whether it is good or bad. It’s right there in what you quoted, too lmfao

[The_Box]

Origineel geplaatst door Call Sign: Raven:

Origineel geplaatst door The_Box:

I'm sorry, where in the post did he say they were bad localisations?

Might want to re-read and double back. Conversation is about “literal translation” not whether it is good or bad. It’s right there in what you quoted, too lmfao

... Okay? Then what's even the point to your post? The Woosley localisations are, indeed, about as far from literal as it gets. They're still brilliant localisations in their own rights and the games he worked on are some of my all time favorites.

[Melodia]

"X isn't Y"

"HOW DARE YOU SAY X IS BAD"

[bentobox]

My problem with the localization of the series is that I generally think it just goes too far. You can't do a direct, literal 1:1 translation in basically any language and there will always have to be liberties to get things across correctly, but I think my issue is more so the degree the series takes things.

I'm honestly fine with the newer spell notation, it's more accurate to how the idea was in JP anyway. Likewise, I don't really mind the accents as long as they fit the European fantasy setting or areas they're in, or even the punny enemy names (although I do think they go a bit far in a few places). My problems are moreso with changing series locations or staples for really bad puns, references, jokes, so on, and adding accents that don't make sense for the setting just to seem clever.

Good example off the top of my head would be changing Ruida's Tavern to Patty's Party Planning Place, which the latter is just a lame alliteration and feels really goofy in a bad way when you have characters say it out loud. Or Alltrades Abbey, which became the localized name after a lame Jack of Alltrades joke in the previous releases. You also see this in DQ5DS where an early location is named Uptaten so you can have a lame Count Uptaten joke, or the Ned Flanders dragon. Feels like a Working Designs localization in a bad way. Haiku speech is somewhere up there for me on this, too. It's the kind of thing where I can tell the localizers were trying to be clever in a bad way, and it takes me out of the games.

Obviously all of this is subjective. I feel like 8 in general struck a good balance with its localization, at least in its original release, but the DS games were the worst for going too far, and a lot of what they changed for lame jokes are now just the standard in a way I don't really enjoy. At the same time, that's just kind of the way things are post Dragon Quest 8. At this point, the series has been in the new localization standard longer than it was in the old one.

Origineel geplaatst door Snake Plissken:

No I wouldn't as the Switch version is the first 3 games in English that were released 15 years ago by another translator which is why i asked the OP and not you

If you're talking about this version: https://www.nintendo.com/us/store/products/dragon-quest-iii-the-seeds-of-salvation-switch/

Then, no, that's not the original version or even the original localization. That's a Switch port of a cell phone port using some of the graphics of the SNES version, and was localized with modern Dragon Quest standards, which means you could be running into the same issues, depending on what your issues are.

There was no English release of Dragon Quest III at exactly 15 years ago. Prior to the 2014 Android/iOS release, the last version officially released in English was the GBC version in 2001. Prior to that, the actual original version of the game that was released and localized was the NES version in 1992.

Basically every game released in English post Dragon Quest VIII in 2005 (although, most of my problems started with the English release of DQ4DS in 2008) is using the newer localization standard for the series.

[Snake Plissken]

Origineel geplaatst door bentobox:

My problem with the localization of the series is that I generally think it just goes too far. You can't do a direct, literal 1:1 translation in basically any language and there will always have to be liberties to get things across correctly, but I think my issue is more so the degree the series takes things.

I'm honestly fine with the newer spell notation, it's more accurate to how the idea was in JP anyway. Likewise, I don't really mind the accents as long as they fit the European fantasy setting or areas they're in, or even the punny enemy names (although I do think they go a bit far in a few places). My problems are moreso with changing series locations or staples for really bad puns, references, jokes, so on, and adding accents that don't make sense for the setting just to seem clever.

Good example off the top of my head would be changing Ruida's Tavern to Patty's Party Planning Place, which the latter is just a lame alliteration and feels really goofy in a bad way when you have characters say it out loud. Or Alltrades Abbey, which became the localized name after a lame Jack of Alltrades joke in the previous releases. You also see this in DQ5DS where an early location is named Uptaten so you can have a lame Count Uptaten joke, or the Ned Flanders dragon. Feels like a Working Designs localization in a bad way. Haiku speech is somewhere up there for me on this, too. It's the kind of thing where I can tell the localizers were trying to be clever in a bad way, and it takes me out of the games.

Obviously all of this is subjective. I feel like 8 in general struck a good balance with its localization, at least in its original release, but the DS games were the worst for going too far, and a lot of what they changed for lame jokes are now just the standard in a way I don't really enjoy. At the same time, that's just kind of the way things are post Dragon Quest 8. At this point, the series has been in the new localization standard longer than it was in the old one.

Origineel geplaatst door Snake Plissken:

No I wouldn't as the Switch version is the first 3 games in English that were released 15 years ago by another translator which is why i asked the OP and not you

If you're talking about this version: https://www.nintendo.com/us/store/products/dragon-quest-iii-the-seeds-of-salvation-switch/

Then, no, that's not the original version or even the original localization. That's a Switch port of a cell phone port using some of the graphics of the SNES version, and was localized with modern Dragon Quest standards, which means you could be running into the same issues, depending on what your issues are.

There was no English release of Dragon Quest III at exactly 15 years ago. Prior to the 2014 Android/iOS release, the last version officially released in English was the GBC version in 2001. Prior to that, the actual original version of the game that was released and localized was the NES version in 1992.

Basically every game released in English post Dragon Quest VIII in 2005 (although, most of my problems started with the English release of DQ4DS in 2008) is using the newer localization standard for the series.

It doesn't matter as i'm not gonna read all that, there was an english release for NES in 92 and I've checked and it's that translation

[sere]

Localization and translation aren't exactly the same thing and should not be used interchangeably. The conversation might have been more fruitful had the differences been respected.

[Durgha]

Origineel geplaatst door bentobox:

Obviously all of this is subjective. I feel like 8 in general struck a good balance with its localization, at least in its original release, but the DS games were the worst for going too far, and a lot of what they changed for lame jokes are now just the standard in a way I don't really enjoy. At the same time, that's just kind of the way things are post Dragon Quest 8. At this point, the series has been in the new localization standard longer than it was in the old one.

This is a good point which a lot of people don't seem to appreciate. Many of the silly monster names and puns didn't exist in the Japanese release of these games. The localization team for PS2 DQ8 made very bold choices that have continued to shape the IP outside Japan towards what we have today.

Underneath the cartoony art, Dragon Quest often deals with serious material. The death or disapproval of a parent, loss of one's homeland, permanent disfigurement or disability, etc. Those themes land differently when nearly everything is played as a joke.

[bentobox]

Origineel geplaatst door Snake Plissken:

there was an english release for NES in 92

There was.

Origineel geplaatst door Snake Plissken:

and I've checked and it's that translation

It's not.

Origineel geplaatst door Durgha:

This is a good point which a lot of people don't seem to appreciate. Many of the silly monster names and puns didn't exist in the Japanese release of these games. The localization team for PS2 DQ8 made very bold choices that have continued to shape the IP outside Japan towards what we have today.

Underneath the cartoony art, Dragon Quest often deals with serious material. The death or disapproval of a parent, loss of one's homeland, permanent disfigurement or disability, etc. Those themes land differently when nearly everything is played as a joke.

I really do think DQ5DS in particular is really harmed by it. There's definitely certain decisions they made that I fully understand, but I really think the games (or some parts of the games) would be better served by drawing a harder line where the jokes should stop.

[Snake Plissken]

Origineel geplaatst door bentobox:

Origineel geplaatst door Snake Plissken:

there was an english release for NES in 92

There was.

Origineel geplaatst door Snake Plissken:

and I've checked and it's that translation

It's not.

Origineel geplaatst door Durgha:

This is a good point which a lot of people don't seem to appreciate. Many of the silly monster names and puns didn't exist in the Japanese release of these games. The localization team for PS2 DQ8 made very bold choices that have continued to shape the IP outside Japan towards what we have today.

Underneath the cartoony art, Dragon Quest often deals with serious material. The death or disapproval of a parent, loss of one's homeland, permanent disfigurement or disability, etc. Those themes land differently when nearly everything is played as a joke.

I really do think DQ5DS in particular is really harmed by it. There's definitely certain decisions they made that I fully understand, but I really think the games (or some parts of the games) would be better served by drawing a harder line where the jokes should stop.

It is kiddo i'm compared it side by side so stop arguing as i'm blocking you now so don't bother replying as i won't be reading it.

[Jouchebag]

Origineel geplaatst door Snake Plissken:

It is kiddo i'm compared it side by side so stop arguing as i'm blocking you now so don't bother replying as i won't be reading it.

Feel free to read me telling you that is childish. If you can't accept that people disagree with you, don't bother being on a public forum at all. The purpose of being here is to discuss stuff. This is not your TikTok algorithm bubble showing you only what you like.

Origineel geplaatst door bentobox:

I really do think DQ5DS in particular is really harmed by it. There's definitely certain decisions they made that I fully understand, but I really think the games (or some parts of the games) would be better served by drawing a harder line where the jokes should stop.

I think this shows where Japan takes gaming as a more serious story-telling medium than most of the world does. Japan attempts to have deep thoughts but wraps it up in this colorful, cartoonish form that makes it difficult to take seriously. That worked fine in 1993 when all games were colorful and simple.

Maybe they should keep those themes for stuff like Death Stranding and lean into DQ being a simplistic, children's game. The localization teams are trying to maximize interest for a target audience of 10-12 year old tweens.

When the world outside of Japan started doubling-down on DQ being fluffy and goofy there were also deeper, darker stories being told in other games. You don't need to do both in the same game. For me, DQ's charm really shines brighter through the silliness.

[Complete Domination]

Origineel geplaatst door Nathmathics:

as someone who can understand japanese whoever translated this into what the VA's were told to say and subtitles must be someone pretending to know japanese, please dont hire them ever again. There is so much lost info and motivations that just gets dumbed down and it really sucks.

See Pokemon, Xenoblade, Final Fantasy 14 and many other "localized" games. Westerners just couldn't stop themselves from trying to claim Japanese work by inserting their headcanon and putting their names in the credit for "their work".

[theclaw135]

Origineel geplaatst door Snake Plissken:

Origineel geplaatst door bentobox:

My problem with the localization of the series is that I generally think it just goes too far. You can't do a direct, literal 1:1 translation in basically any language and there will always have to be liberties to get things across correctly, but I think my issue is more so the degree the series takes things.

I'm honestly fine with the newer spell notation, it's more accurate to how the idea was in JP anyway. Likewise, I don't really mind the accents as long as they fit the European fantasy setting or areas they're in, or even the punny enemy names (although I do think they go a bit far in a few places). My problems are moreso with changing series locations or staples for really bad puns, references, jokes, so on, and adding accents that don't make sense for the setting just to seem clever.

Good example off the top of my head would be changing Ruida's Tavern to Patty's Party Planning Place, which the latter is just a lame alliteration and feels really goofy in a bad way when you have characters say it out loud. Or Alltrades Abbey, which became the localized name after a lame Jack of Alltrades joke in the previous releases. You also see this in DQ5DS where an early location is named Uptaten so you can have a lame Count Uptaten joke, or the Ned Flanders dragon. Feels like a Working Designs localization in a bad way. Haiku speech is somewhere up there for me on this, too. It's the kind of thing where I can tell the localizers were trying to be clever in a bad way, and it takes me out of the games.

Obviously all of this is subjective. I feel like 8 in general struck a good balance with its localization, at least in its original release, but the DS games were the worst for going too far, and a lot of what they changed for lame jokes are now just the standard in a way I don't really enjoy. At the same time, that's just kind of the way things are post Dragon Quest 8. At this point, the series has been in the new localization standard longer than it was in the old one.


If you're talking about this version: https://www.nintendo.com/us/store/products/dragon-quest-iii-the-seeds-of-salvation-switch/

Then, no, that's not the original version or even the original localization. That's a Switch port of a cell phone port using some of the graphics of the SNES version, and was localized with modern Dragon Quest standards, which means you could be running into the same issues, depending on what your issues are.

There was no English release of Dragon Quest III at exactly 15 years ago. Prior to the 2014 Android/iOS release, the last version officially released in English was the GBC version in 2001. Prior to that, the actual original version of the game that was released and localized was the NES version in 1992.

Basically every game released in English post Dragon Quest VIII in 2005 (although, most of my problems started with the English release of DQ4DS in 2008) is using the newer localization standard for the series.

It doesn't matter as i'm not gonna read all that, there was an english release for NES in 92 and I've checked and it's that translation

Dragon Warrior VII, released for Playstation in 2001 is the last and final Dragon Warrior game. Those versions have never been ported, remade, or reprinted since 2001.

[Snake Plissken]

Origineel geplaatst door theclaw135:

Origineel geplaatst door Snake Plissken:

It doesn't matter as i'm not gonna read all that, there was an english release for NES in 92 and I've checked and it's that translation

Dragon Warrior VII, released for Playstation in 2001 is the last and final Dragon Warrior game. Those versions have never been ported, remade, or reprinted since 2001.

what an asanine comment, what has that got to do with anything that we've been talking about? and no there was Dragon Quest 8,9,10 and 11 so do your research before commenting again

[theclaw135]

Origineel geplaatst door Snake Plissken:

Origineel geplaatst door theclaw135:

Dragon Warrior VII, released for Playstation in 2001 is the last and final Dragon Warrior game. Those versions have never been ported, remade, or reprinted since 2001.

what an asanine comment, what has that got to do with anything that we've been talking about? and no there was Dragon Quest 8,9,10 and 11 so do your research before commenting again

I'm talking about the brand name Dragon Warrior.

Dragon Quest 8, 9, 10, and 11 were not sold as Dragon Warrior.