Difference between revisions of "Translation Differences"

Revision as of 18:18, 26 May 2006

Character Speech

In the JP version, Ayla uses the same caveman talk, althoug she has a special nickname for Crono called Cro. She uses this almost exclusively, and in the game's code, it is denoted in dialogue with the tag {crononick}. Frog was radically changed in the NA version from his original characterization; he did not speak formally and was not the cookie cutter white knight, instead having more of a raucous, activous tone. He was not afraid to call Magus a pale-faced bastard, or Ayla an idiot for believing him a meal. Thirdly, Robo and the other robots spoke in a certain way that can be compared to HAVING SOMETHING IN ALL CAPS in English. Robo specifically had trouble with pronouns and suffixes; in the Retranslation, this is represented by certain parts of words being expressed in all caps. Coming in fourth, it is worth noting that through formal Japanese, Lucca was much more reverent and humble towards Marle before the latter expressed her dislike of formal titles. Finally, Magus was a bit more scathing and reserved. He called Crono a cockroach upon the North Cape, one of the most debasing insults in Japanese.

Religious / Entity References

These constitute a separate section than chapter notes mainly because they occur throughout the game. The planet is personified as a higher being in the game. Other references include Magus and Lavos being referred to as demons or gods.

• Chapter 19: Break the Seal! - Belthasar notes that the mission will succeed only if time travelers unite for the sake of the planet. This was shortened to "only by mastering time...do you stand a chance against Lavos" in the English version.
• Chapter 25: The Fated Hour - In the Japanese version, Robo postulated that the Entity was a larger existence. This was changed to "something beyond our comprehension."

Chapter 06: Beyond the Ruins

Rat Warning

In the NA version, the rat notes that you shouldn't mess up the button combination to access the Day of Lavos. This line was mangled from the Japanese, which said that if you had changed button assignments in the status menu, you'd have to figure out the button sequence on your own.

Robo Dialogue

In the NA version, Marle says "Hate em!" in reference to formal titles while Lucca is convincing Robo not to use them. In the JP version, she simply nods, although there does exist comparable dialogue that should have been used. Also, Lucca does not come out and directly ask what happened to the people at the Proto Dome; she rather begins a question, but is interrupted when Robo notices an absence of humans.

Chapter 17: Unnatural Selection?

Nizbel confusingly notes in the NA version that "the great Nizbel was defeated here!" Nizbel originally was meant to say, "you can reach Azala only by getting through me, Nizbel...who came back!" He was triumphantly announcing his return.

Chapter 19: Break the Seal!

Belthasar's Mission

While in the NA version Belthasar simply states that he longs for Zeal in his pre-Epoch speech, in the Japanese version he directly states that he was building the Epoch precisely to take him home. Sadly, he died before he could accomplish this.

Janus and Schala aren't step-siblings

 [Young Man]
   I heard Schala's powers far exceed
   those of her mother.
   
   Then there's her step-brother, Janus.
   He's of royal blood, but he doesn't
   seem to have a speck of magic.

I hear that even though he has the
blood of the Royal Family, he truly
does not have any magical power.

Chapter 24: The Time Egg

Nu

Concerning the Nu who sleeps "beyond the flow of time," the Japanese version more directly states that time does not flow for this Nu any longer.

Poyozo Doll

Though a minor detail, it is interesting to note that in the Japanese version, the Poyozo Dolls say "EXECUTING HIGHEST PROGRAM!" instead of merely "Executing Program."

Chapter 25: The Fated Hour

Gaspar (One if you is close to someone...)

OLD MAN: One of you is close to
   someone who needs help...
   Find this person...fast.

The gist of the Japanese statement:

For matters regarding each time era,
speak to someone here for information.

If it's about the things in your own
time period, there's somebody in your
group that knows. You should ask them.

Everyone knows about their own eras best.
You should ask them.

Rainbow Shell

Instead of remarking that it is drab, in the Japanese version Magus fashionably notes "the color doesn't suit [him]."

Ending: A Slide Show?

The slide show ending is much raunchier in the Japanese version. So as to not spoil the jokes, please consult the Retranslation Script to find the humor.

From: Theory