Retranslation

General Information

Welcome to the Chrono Trigger Retranslation Project, as led by the Chrono Compendium. The objective of this effort is to oversee and effect a full retranslation of Chrono Trigger from its original Japanese script. This includes all dialogue in the game, as well as all lists of items, weapons, armor, locations, etc. featured as well. In undertaking this project, we hope to present a clearer portrayal of Chrono Trigger as intended by its Japanese creators. It is not the opinion of this project that Ted Woolsey's official translation was bad or insufficient in any way -- only that some essence of the game was lost or altered, given Nintendo of America's censorship standards and the inability of the game to hold all the original text when translated to English.

Why retranslate?

A few factors contribute to our desire to have Chrono Trigger retranslated. Specifically, Ted Woolsey did remark in an interview (see here) that a lot of text was cut out because the strings became too long after translation. Aside from that, a lot of references to the planet as Mother Earth and Magus and the Mystics as the Demon race (deemed too religious) were removed; these omissions could affect the plot somewhat. Also, Woolsey did make mistakes in places. For instance, take the line:

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

It was supposed to read something to the effect of, "For matters concerning each time era, talk to your teammates." It's a hint telling you to talk to the various player characters standing around the End of Time; upon doing so, they will provide information about the sidequests in their home eras. The original meaning was heavily distorted, and led to endless discussion in the community befor e a proper translation was given. Additionally, there's a line in Zeal that states, "Janus, Schala's step-brother, doesn't have a speck of magic." We had that one specifically translated about a year ago, and there is no step-sibling reference whatsoever. Time will tell if there are any good mysteries or revelations buried elsewhere in the text!

How is it being done?

Unlike other game retranslations, which are completed by a core group that often plan several translations and are active participants of the rom hacking community, the Chrono Trigger Retranslation Project hinges entirely on contributors and volunteers. Chrono Trigger has legions of fans throughout its decade-long reign as a popular RPG, and several students and fluent users of Japanese have been included in these ranks. We ask for any help we can get from willing volunteers who are confident in their ability and display a good level of Japanese skill. The attitude of this project, above all, is Come and go as you like! We know that the Chrono Trigger script is huge, and that students of Japanese often only have precious little time to devote to free translation. To this end, we accept any help given to us and encourage contributions of any size; whether a volunteer translates a full block of dialogue or a few sentences doesn't matter -- each building block helps.

What will be the end result?

After the retranslation has been completed, a second Chrono Trigger script will be organized from the ground up according to the order of the current English CT script assembled by the Chrono Compendium. It will feature the retranslation in its entirety. The original translation will be featured with its native Japanese and our retranslation, making for easy reference to anything that was found to have been censored or significantly altered in the original US cartridge. Here's an example:

   Long before you were born...
   ...there was a kingdom where magic
   flourished.
   Everyone there could use it!

   But in time, people began to abuse
   their powers. It got so bad that no
   one was allowed to use magic except
   wizards.

   おめーらの生まれるずっと昔……　魔法でさかえた王国、あった。その世界、みんな魔法使った。
　 けどその王国、魔力におぼれほろびた……。
　 それから人は魔法を使えなくなった。魔族以外はな。 

   A zillion years before you brats were born... There was a kingdom where magic thrived.
   In that world, everybody could use it. 
   But that kingdom drowned in its own power...
   Since then, people haven't been able to use magic. Well, except for the Mystics, right? 

Another interesting deviation! All changes will be gathered in this document according to the above format. In this manner, we'll have an easy reference for ostensible translation differences.

So how do I help?

By all means, if you are capable of translating or know others who are and might be interested in assisting with the retranslation, contact Zeality@Gmail.com and let me know! I will provide you or your translating friend with a list of what's currently done or in-progress by other contributors. Let me stress again that this is completely voluntarily; you can come and go as you wish, translating as little or as much as you like! We would like a sample of your ability in translation beforehand, and your honest opinion of your ability. We appreciate all the help we can get, and hope that you'll help bring a new Chrono Trigger to fans! Thank you for your consideration.

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