This is an entry in a series of posts looking at the localisation of the first chapter of the game, Phoenix Ace: Ace Attorney. You can find the first post here. Thanks for reading!
| Japanese | English | |
|---|---|---|
| Sawhit 1 | うるせえんだよ！細かいことをぐちぐちと！あ、アイツだ‥‥！オレは見たんだよ‥‥。し、死刑だ！あの男に、死刑を‥‥！ |
Shutupshutupshutup! I hate you! I-it was him, I tell you! I saw him! H-he killed her and he should burn! Burn! Give him death!
|
1. This sentence is translated very freely. In the Japanese, after telling Phoenix to shut up, Sawhit then express his irritation at Phoenix complaining over little details (i.e. flaws in his testimony). The English realigns with the Japanese for, "I-it was him, I tell you! I saw him!" but then takes a more extreme turn. In the Japanese, Sawhit simply twice demands for Larry be given the death penalty. I would offer an alternative translation of, "The death sentence! Give him the death sentence!" I don't think I agree with the English localisation because it is diverges greatly from Sawhit's original Japanese characterisation and instead portrays him as a very exaggerated figure.
| Japanese | English | |
|---|---|---|
| Judge 2 | 成歩堂くん。‥‥どうやらあなたは、それを証明するのはムリなようですね。 |
Mr. Wright? It seems you lack the critical evidence to support your claim.
|
2. There is just a tiny difference here in the second sentence; the Japanese bears no mention of Phoenix lacking critical evidence. Literally, the Japanese just reads, "It seems that it's impossible for you to support your claim." If you think about it, the nuisance here is a slightly different. In the Japanese, the judge seems to be suggesting that it is simply impossible for Phoenix to prove his claim. The English however seems to skew towards blaming Phoenix because the judge deems Phoenix's unable to support his claim because Phoenix himself lacks the critical evidence. This dialogue towards not immediately precede presentation of any evidence, so it is unlikely that this addition was made to guide the player. I imagine this slight difference emerged from the translator grasping the meaning of the Japanese, and then outputting a natural English sentence that conveyed this meaning. This change is of no real harm or consequence to the story or characterisation, so it is not a big issue. I just thought I would point it out!
| Japanese | English | |
|---|---|---|
| Sawhit 3 | ヘッ！ヒトがわざわざ証言しに来てやったっていうのに、ハンニン呼ばわりかよ！まったく弁護士ってのは、ヒドい連中だぜ！ |
I come all the way down here to testify, and look what happens! They treat me like a criminal! A criminal! You lawyers are all slime!
|
3. I really like this translation. It sticks closely to the meaning of the Japanese, but expresses it with fluid, snappy English. Literally, the Japanese reads, "Hmph! I come all the way here to testify, and then you go and brand me as a criminal! Honestly, lawyers, what awful people." In the game's English, I love the repetition of "A criminal!" It makes me feel like I can hear Sawhit's high-pitched incredulity. My favourite part though is the last sentence. To break it down completely, "hidoi" (ヒドイ) means horrible/awful and "renchuu" (連中) is a derogatory term for a bunch of people. Conveying this sentiment through the use of "slime" is sublime in both its naturalness and its punchiness. I love it!
| Japanese | English | |
|---|---|---|
| Mia | 待ちなさい！山野星雄！ |
Not so fast, Mr. Sahwit!
|
| Phoenix 4 |
ち、千尋さん！
|
Mia! I mean, Chief!
|
4. The translation here is curious. In the Japanese, Phoenix simply stutters overs Mia's name I imagine this was to convey Phoenix's shock at Mia's outburst. In the English however, Phoenix forgets formalities and simply splutters out Mia's name. However, I do not think this is necessarily the most natural reaction for Phoenix in this situation. I would offer, "Chief!?" as an alternative translation; this is more natural, expresses both shock and surprise, and also doesn't stray from the Japanese.
| Japanese | English | |
|---|---|---|
| Judge | 事件があった日には、時計はすでに遅れていた‥‥。それを証明することができると言うのですか？ |
You say the clock was already running slow on the day of the murder… Have you found evidence to support this claim?
|
| Phoenix 5 |
‥‥もちろん。ある証拠品で、それを証明できると思います。
|
Of course. There is a piece of evidence in the Court Record that can prove my claim beyond a doubt!
|
5. The second Japanese sentence reads, "I have a piece of evidence that proves my claim." It makes no reference to the Court Record. At first I thought this addition was to help guide new players who may still not understand the way the Court Record works, but this doesn't make sense because the Court Record opens automatically after Phoenix has finished speaking. Perhaps this remark was inserted to further familarise players with the interface vocabulary? Regardless, this addition is not harmful to the flow of the language nor diverts the meaning of the Japanese, so it's not a big deal.
Thanks for reading! I'd love to hear your thoughts on the above points or Phoenix Wright's localisation as a whole, so please comment if you've got something to say.
If you enjoyed this post, I bet you'll like the next post in this series:
http://www.localireview.com/2015/03/phoenix-wright-ace-attorney_20.html
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