I have noticed a shift in theorizing, based on the original Japanese text. I have a few thoughts on the matter, and I would like all of your input, as well.
When I first started theorizing, there was no consideration for any other translations. At least not that I could find. Yes, this was quite a while back. Then, more information was being talked about, related to other languages. I even remember one theorist comparing a few translations, finding where common meanings could be found. I think this was great. When a concept is successfully translated into different languages, the concept is given the chance to develop further than it was able to in it's original form. For instance, take the word "love." If I translate it as "Agape," Agape is not an English word, but it still means love, and it is quite a different love, compared to "Eros."
Lately though, and not just here, I have seen a rise in sentiments that boil down to the only true version of the games are the Japanese versions. Anything that is different, now has no value. This, unfortunately, suggests that not only are the English versions of the game inferior, possibly to the point of not being canon at all. It also means that useful theories can only come from the Japanese text. I have a large problem with the translation being taken this far. It devalues the experience of the game. Theorists, like my self, who prefer to mainly theorize about games we have played, are now at a disadvantage, compared someone who has never touched the game, but got everything from a wall of text, or worse, taken someone else's word at what something translates to. Yes, there are reliable sources, but there are also unreliable sources. Taken too far, this can become a form of gate keeping.
Then, there is the idea of the death of the author. Once a work is released into the wild, it is no longer in control of the creator. It is up to the consumer to make of it as they will. While this also has it's pitfalls, if taken too far, it greatly values the experience of the game, in all of it's iterations. Ultimately, many theorists will only interact with their translation of the series, and that will be the birth place of many theories. In my opinion, as long as we don't take it so far as to ignore the intent of the creators, we do need to keep the death of the author in mind.
Even though this video uses poetry to talk about the conundrum here, I think it not only defines the struggle, but also sums up my take on the whole issue.
I personally prefer to base my theories in my own experience, using other translations (not just Japanese) to clarify and refine them.
When I first started theorizing, there was no consideration for any other translations. At least not that I could find. Yes, this was quite a while back. Then, more information was being talked about, related to other languages. I even remember one theorist comparing a few translations, finding where common meanings could be found. I think this was great. When a concept is successfully translated into different languages, the concept is given the chance to develop further than it was able to in it's original form. For instance, take the word "love." If I translate it as "Agape," Agape is not an English word, but it still means love, and it is quite a different love, compared to "Eros."
Lately though, and not just here, I have seen a rise in sentiments that boil down to the only true version of the games are the Japanese versions. Anything that is different, now has no value. This, unfortunately, suggests that not only are the English versions of the game inferior, possibly to the point of not being canon at all. It also means that useful theories can only come from the Japanese text. I have a large problem with the translation being taken this far. It devalues the experience of the game. Theorists, like my self, who prefer to mainly theorize about games we have played, are now at a disadvantage, compared someone who has never touched the game, but got everything from a wall of text, or worse, taken someone else's word at what something translates to. Yes, there are reliable sources, but there are also unreliable sources. Taken too far, this can become a form of gate keeping.
Then, there is the idea of the death of the author. Once a work is released into the wild, it is no longer in control of the creator. It is up to the consumer to make of it as they will. While this also has it's pitfalls, if taken too far, it greatly values the experience of the game, in all of it's iterations. Ultimately, many theorists will only interact with their translation of the series, and that will be the birth place of many theories. In my opinion, as long as we don't take it so far as to ignore the intent of the creators, we do need to keep the death of the author in mind.
Even though this video uses poetry to talk about the conundrum here, I think it not only defines the struggle, but also sums up my take on the whole issue.
How Translation Changes Art
SKILLSHARE (1 month free) ➤ https://skl.sh/talefoundry04233SKILLSHARE (40% off your first year) ➤ https://skl.sh/talefoundry401Click the link to take the Cre...
youtu.be
I personally prefer to base my theories in my own experience, using other translations (not just Japanese) to clarify and refine them.
Last edited: