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Hi, my first post, I'm trying to keep it short: So, from what Naerylan is explaining, it seems important to keep both eyes on certain "corrections". It is likely that the new lines took advantage of kwhazit's translation (I'm only guessing, but it is likely), so if even square's localization (re-)generates these necessary changes, one should try to refer to the original text. While writing the novel - in places where such decisions occur (not too many, I think) - rely to the "true text". In the end it IS Japanese literature which means (can mean) some characters are female who, following traditional European thinking, shouldn't be. Well, ok, probably everybody already knows about this specific issue ;-) First post ...

One question: What I definitely don't like is the whole "FIEND" transcription. I cannot accept such a term in literature. My head aches imagining youngsters grown up with a lot of prejudices submitted through media, identifying themselves in their RPG-role as combatants against green, fiendish "fiends". Just too simple. .. ... Do I miss a meaning there (both English and Japanese aren't my native language)?

Greets!

Hi, Naerylan!

I had to visit 'cause I love the project. I read this post before sending it and found I am going some strange route but it will make sense I promise. It's my style, please appreciate.

Thanks a lot for your explanations, you are making things clearer to me. What you say about learning the language, as your ideal, it is not just a side connotation to me as I once began to learn some Japanese basics (and stopped soon ...) but it is still an alluring option, for me to study as (minor) subject in the future (major might be English). I am glad you take it that serious, probably I will, too!

When I mentioned the fe-/male problem I referred to what you said about the Azala character. I also remembered similar irritations about some Anime characters, let's not talk about them, but I have in mind certain "Sailor Moon"-fiends. These irritations occur because our traditional thinking often leads us (readers and translators) to other conclusions. The Japanese story writers themselves don't always seem to know what they're doing, mixing their mythological ideas with some western elements. Altogether it is best to use the gender as presented in the original. Reading literature originated from another culture should feel different, shouldn't it?

Oh well, "fiend" is still puzzling me. My on- and offline dictionaries say being a fiend is about being terribly bad. But every hero/gamer/reader has to admit at one point of the journey/play/read that the fiends have their own comprehensible ambitions (this makes good plots -> plausible motives). We might agree at the term "antagonistic" which no one wants to read in a novel - yet from my distant point of view the word "fiend" seems too superficial to come into question for the novel - although I might still be wrong because I didn't grow up with this language. If the latter is the case excuse me, please, and give your own impression!
Oxford says: "fiend: devil; very wicked or cruel person" (I excluded colloquial meanings); when I think about it, it's not what the Mystics are.

"Mystics" is not too bad but nevertheless it won't make a good name for another breed. You already pointed it out, the true meaning is exactly what I thought.
Translation is difficult because the whole "Ma-zoku" as you explained it does not express much about these ... monsters.

Maybe a stupid question: Is there any solid clue in Chrono Trigger's story that hints to some connection between the two magic peoples, the "mystics" and the realm of Zeal?! Ah, shouldn't that be Magus himself? I see parallels to Lord of the Rings where we know that the orcs are transformed elves created by the Dark Lord. --- If there is too much to invent or to consider I am wondering if it should be ignored?, because leaving information out of the novel would be better than adding a chapter which explains the whole stuff?! It's not science it's entertainment (or is it? - What would Tolkien do?) You see all my question marks - perhaps I am more of a curious reader than many people are. I love what Tolkien did in the Silmarillion.

The name of "Magus" is one of the successes of Square's first translation because it keeps the original sound partially and transfers the original intention: introducing the leader of magic folks. One thing always disturbed me: the regular "mystic" doesn't apply magic, only the higher ranks make it that far. That is why their name doesn't fit. The Zeal people should have been named that way because they are busy with magic all around the clock. Now, of course, you can't do that to those who played the game (or to those who created it btw).

As you can see, I am concerned about some mistakes in the genuine texts/plot. They shouldn't exist in a novel but people will condemn you forever if you slightly change some issues for the better. But some people will condemn you no matter what, that's for sure. What I think is that it is not a crime to outmatch the game's achievements.

Bla... I'm blabla-ing around, sorry.

About Ye Olde Englishe (great link, I am enjoying the tropers' articles very much, thx a lot! :-)): I totally understand those who identify Frog as *the* medieval character of the game. The chivalrous values, the knightly ideals, the gallant speech ... how could one not remember that positively? RObo HAS its own LANguage, TOO ... These implementations seem a good clue for the novelist what to do in order to keep the characters well identifiable. It is quite necessary, so I think I would keep the oldie English.
Do you somehow agree?

Again, I am happy to be able to make ANY contribution to this project and to write here. Maybe I am only b...s....ing around but I'm trying not to. I am still waiting for Wayne's email but he may be quite the irregular guy as I am myself so I can wait with my translation and stay in place here for some while.

Until soon, and hopefully more readers and writers
(my general wish on the world)

Greets,

fatcat