Name Translation Errors

[Vanya]

I'm going to post any name errors I can find here:

Folmarv Tengille
Kana: ヴォルマルフ・ティンジェル
Romanji: Vorumarufu Tinjeru
Exact: Volmarf Tinjelle
Improvement: Volmarv Tinjellle; Volmarv Tingel

Comment: The translators pulled that 'F' outta their asses. Evidence is that the kana for the f sounds is used in other names.

Alphonse Delacroix
Kana: アルフォンス・ドラクロワ
Romanji: Arufonsu Dorakurowa
Exact: Alfons dolacraw
Improovement: Alphonse D'Lacroix

Comment: good job onthe firstname but both the old and new translations mangled the last name. WotL got closer.

Ludovich Baert
Kana: バート・ルードヴィッヒ
Romanji: Bāto Rūdovihhi
Exact: Baht Loodveehee
Improovement: Bart Ludvich, Bart Ludovichi

Comment: this one is a disaster. I'm guessing that they thought that this one name out of all the names in the game followed the Japanese tradition of putting the last name first. Also It seems like the translators were thinking about the name Ludwig when they say it. After doing 2 minutes of research I found that Ludvich is a real European surname. Ludovichi is an Italian surname, but the "ch" in Italian is a hard 'c'. Still, it IS possible they were going for Italian here.

[Dominic NY18]

Many of the name changes are erroneous in that regard, so you're going to have a pretty decent listing.

But since the changes were more than likely intentional, could they even be considered errors beyond not being very faithful to the Japanese names?

[Vanya]

Intentional errors are still errors. ^_^

[Cheetah]

They aren't supposed to be japanese names though, they are supposed to be like medieval middle European names right? But then are they supposed to be french, italian, english, german? Basically I'm just saying it isn't really worth arguing over. As long as they don't sound Japanese or exceptionally stupid.

[Vanya]

They could have put a little more effort into it though.
Square should really put translators to work along side researchers too.
I'm not going to include the ones that were just changed to make them sound more European.
For example: Marge Funeral -> Marcel Funebris.
The PSX one is technically correct.

[Jacob31593]

they both sound european to me, Europe does encompass many cultures doesnt it?

[Dominic NY18]

They could have put a little more effort into it though.
Square should really put translators to work along side researchers too.
I'm not going to include the ones that were just changed to make them sound more European.
For example: Marge Funeral -> Marcel Funebris.
The PSX one is technically correct.

Even though it is more correct from a technical point of view, what octogenarian leader of a powerful religious instituition is going to have a first name that is short for Margaret? And Funeral makes for a good pun in context, but a poor surname.

I agree with Cheetah. The name changes make them sound more European. They're not literal translations of their Japanese counterparts, but literal translations aren't good things.

Someone over on the GameFAQs boards said it best. The PSX version is a more literal translation of the Japanese FFT, but the PSP version is a better localization.

[DarthPaul]

Intentional errors are still errors. ^_^

That's makes no sense if they intended it that way then there is no error just an inconsistency.



EDIT: Ouch they messed up Bart big time.

[Zozma]

i'm not liking the accurate translations....

is Rofel really Loffrey? ....

[DarthPaul]

I like Loffrey better for some reason.

[Vanya]

The most accurate translation for Rofel / Loffrey is Rofar or Lofar.
I'm going to use Rofahr because it sounds more evil, looks more exotic, and fits for a character that is hinted to be a Demon in disguise like Celia & Ledde. ^_^

Also, keep in mind that foreign words Japanese are written to fit the foreign pronunciation as closely as possible while still feeling comfortable for a Japanese speaker. Knowing this usually helps in figuring out what the intended sounds were.
Plus translators don't always know a lot about other languages or subjects.

Take Final Fantasy 1; you guys remember the monster called Ochu & Neochu? If the translator had known anything about Dungeons & Dragons he would have translated this one better. When I went back to look at the kana in FF1(J) it was clear that Ochu was incorrect. Ochu should have been Otyugh & Neochu should have been Neo-otyugh. (Otyugh = "AHT-yuhg") But, since the translator didn't know that 99% of the monsters in FF1 came from D&D s/he didn't know what the hell to make of the kana. Nowadays they keep translating it as Ochu because that's what they've been calling it for the last 20 years.

[Jacob31593]

LOL D&D

[Vanya]

I love you guys!!!!!
Yes... I'm drunk! ^_^ =P

[DarthPaul]

We love you to Vanya. =D *hands Vanya a quarter*

[Vanya]

Yay... Hangover.