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Language related question

Posted: Mon Jun 08, 2009 9:09 pm
by Guest
Is "I see" in Japanese in sense "I got it"/"I understand it"/"It's clear to me" has anything to do with "see" verb like in "I'm not blind, so I can see"? I am referring to first conversation with Lilly where Hisao was nervous because he said "I see" to her "I'm in class 3-2". In my native language verbs related to looking/seeing something can hardly be used in such situation. So I am curious about Japanese now.

PS. For safety I decided that he used English phrase in the middle of Japanese conversation.

Re: Language related question

Posted: Mon Jun 08, 2009 9:31 pm
by Paragon
I have heard the term なるほど/naruhodo as a pun similar to how Hisao used "I see" in that sense. But as far as I know, that sense of it is much less common than in English.

Re: Language related question

Posted: Mon Jun 08, 2009 10:37 pm
by Suriko
KS makes many uses of English idioms and terms like this one ("seeing" being understanding, but also sight). A similar pun/double meaning could probably be worked out in Japanese with a few liberties to the actual line. An analogy could be drawn to fansubs using literal or localised translation styles.

The reason for this is that we made this game primarily for English-speakers, so readability took precendence over Japanese language concerns.

Re: Language related question

Posted: Tue Jun 09, 2009 3:18 am
by Caesius
Guest wrote:PS. For safety I decided that he used English phrase in the middle of Japanese conversation.
This strikes me as a bad idea.

Re: Language related question

Posted: Tue Jun 09, 2009 3:49 am
by Aura
Actually all the characters in KS speak English all the time. As should be apparent from reading the game.

Re: Language related question

Posted: Tue Jun 09, 2009 4:42 am
by Validus Razgriz
Aura wrote:Actually all the characters in KS speak English all the time. As should be apparent from reading the game.
That's impossible. Their English is too good.
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Re: Language related question

Posted: Tue Jun 09, 2009 4:52 am
by Major Major
As Aura said, the game is in English, therefor it doesn't matter. Also, the mods don't strike me as the kinds of people siting around wishing that they were Japanese, and aren't obsessed with pretending to be.

Re: Language related question

Posted: Tue Jun 09, 2009 4:58 am
by Envy
Didn't I say some people would be only be happy if KS read like it was translated from Japanese?

Re: Language related question

Posted: Tue Jun 09, 2009 10:05 am
by JamiroquaiAlien
Envy wrote:Didn't I say some people would be only be happy if KS read like it was translated from Japanese?
These people are assholes. The language is fine the way it is.

Re: Language related question

Posted: Tue Jun 09, 2009 2:18 pm
by Guest28
^ it's much better than fine

and anyway, the japanese don't write things hoping they'll translate into english easily....

Re: Language related question

Posted: Tue Jun 09, 2009 5:31 pm
by Caesius
Aura wrote:Actually all the characters in KS speak English all the time. As should be apparent from reading the game.
I'll believe it when I see Rin make a reference to Full Metal Jacket or something similar.

"You got girlfriend Vietnam? Me love you long time."

Re: Language related question

Posted: Tue Jun 09, 2009 8:45 pm
by Paragon
Well, there was that reference to Highlander. . .

Re: Language related question

Posted: Tue Jun 09, 2009 8:54 pm
by Caesius
I am not familiar with your geeky crap. :|


But I'll take your word for it.

Re: Language related question

Posted: Tue Jun 09, 2009 8:56 pm
by abscess
ParagonDoD wrote:Well, there was that reference to Highlander. . .
Really? I didn't get that one. Where is it?
About the translations, I think it would be good if such references were to be localized, at least the ones that are not about well known stuff. Like say, the nurse doing a Dr. Frankenfurter cosplay, would the japanese audience get it or just go "whaaa...?"

Re: Language related question

Posted: Tue Jun 09, 2009 9:01 pm
by Guest
Aura wrote:Actually all the characters in KS speak English all the time. As should be apparent from reading the game.
Japanese school uses English as speaking language and Japanese as language for writing(see festival - stall signs are not in English). Hmm. Something does not make sense here.