A note to fantranslators out there

If another Final Mix comes out, and someone decides to translate it, don't just dump it into Google Translate and paste it into a patch.

Stop coming out with overly literal translations of scenes. Fix it so it sounds like something you'd hear in the English release. I know Xeeynamo's native language isn't English (Or at least I hope so, no offense to the guy), but every awkward line spoken in the exclusive cutscenes makes me cringe, because it never sounds like something Axel or whoever would actually say. There's a need to preserve accuracy, but there are ways to do that without making the lines verbose and awkward.

Compare this to the Xeeynamo translation:

http://www.gamefaqs.com/ps2/935702-kingdom-hearts-ii-final-mix-/faqs/50361

Much better, but it could still use work. For example:

Before:

Spoiler

People with the blade of
keys started to appear and they fought great battles

After:

Spoiler

Keyblade warriors started popping up, always at war.

I'm sure I probably went wrong somewhere, but based on Xigbar's personality in the English version, I think he would say something more like that.

If you compared fantranslations of Chrono Trigger and Final Fantasy VI to the original SQUARESOFT USA translations, they would be a lot different and the fantranslation would overall be more accurate to the original text. But the SQUARESOFT USA translations would still be better, because they make the characters more appealing and feeling more natural to Western audiences. Translations of fiction need to be accurate, but they also have to immerse whoever's reading them. This is why official translations are sometimes different to the original, and it has nothing to do with censorship or making it understandable for kids.

Anyway, just a rant.

 

I'm not sure it would be a great thing to change it like that, because while Japanese doesn't have a literal meaning for every english word, what they do translate into English can make a lot of sense. And it's not really a good thing to change what was put in the game, because changing a little piece of dialogue might change a huge amount later on. I mean, instead of saying "blade of keys" you could most definately say "Keyblades", but what you did was completely change it.

 

well, i believe the lines he used were based on other fan translations that were found on youtube. i don't think his translation is bad but it could definitely use more polishing. but i agree with what you're saying though. i've seen other translations that were just awkward to the point you could tell that wasn't the intended meaning. it would help for translators to stick to the terms already established if possible like in the example you posted.

 

translating is more of an art than a science. the literal translation comes off as formal and mama-mia's translation feels more informal. It all depends on the context of the scenario and the personality of the character. It also depends on how much they can fit into the mouth movements.