Discussion of OoT English translation: differences

So my copies of both Volume 1 and 2 of the Ocarina of Time arrived today.

First off, I have to say the style of writing was different. I don't want to say dumbed-down, but where the scanlations retained some subtlety, this translation was rather blunt, and in doing so lost some of the grace. For instance,

Scanlation: " I didn't because I had to..the reason I fought, it was for...."
E. translation: " I didn't fight because I was drawn into the conflict... I fought for you."

I like the Scanlation better because it seemed to fit better. It was perfectly obvious what Link was going to say, but it added to his nobility ( by not breaking Zelda's heart furthur with what he was saying and resisting ) and also fitting with the subtlety that the games have. Aren't most of the best things in Zelda unsaid, in terms of romance?

Another thing I disliked was how the translater re-interpreted the ending.

Sc/game: "Hyrule will now enter an era of peace...Go home, Link, to where you should be...the way you should be.."
ET: "Heroes aren't needed in peacetime. You should be back in the forest...where you'll be happy."

Since when was Link told to return to the Kokiri Forest? How many of us got the impression that's where he wanted to go? The result is still the same, but Navi also comments that the forest will be safe with Link there, like he wants to return to it.
Anyways, Link still returns to Zelda, but I'm confused. I thought returning to the way he was meant becoming a child again, not trying to fit back into his origins.

I'll always love this manga, but I think the fans did a better job.

While that line Link says to Zelda is sweet, in a way, it doesn't need to be finished. It was obvious what Link was about to say, and it sounds like something Nintendo would do, establish a couple, but make it subtle enough so that fan discussions/debates can ensue.

That bit of dialogue is Zelda's, right? I haven't read the scanlation version of the manga in a while, but if that's Zelda's line, then it sounds kind of cold in the English translation to me. Am I the only one who thinks this?

Based on the English translation that pretty much tells me Zelda herself is not romantically interested in Link at all.

Zelda kisses Link as a child. She definately likes him that way.

Well, it's paired with her sad face, and tears running down her face: it's blunt and not as graceful, but still effective.

That bluntness is there with all the romantic interests:

Navi: "For shame! Your head is full of Princess Zelda.Did you forget about Saria?"
Link: "N-no! I never! ...."

Link: " Zelda? " ( because of Sheik's hint )
Malon: "How come you don't call her Princess? How close are you two?"
Link: " Huh?!" ( is busy fighting Gerudo )
Malon ( thinks ): " Well, there goes my romance ... You don't have to answer, I can see it in your eyes ..."

And Ruto follows the scanlation pretty much. "Be sure to come back! Zora! *heart*

Anyways, it's the same manga...just somewhat changed.

I remarked on it in the other topic: but they added an important word in one spot.

Sc: You have Hylian blood, like Princess Zelda.
ET: You have royal Hylian blood, like Princess Zelda.

But it follows with the same old.

ET: " You were born to the house of a Knight in service to the Hyrulean King."

So no sibling theory here. Royal blood likely means his family is nobility. But that's no hindrance to romance, provided they aren't close cousins.

Another interesting thing about the translation? The original author's interview was translated too. It remarks on meetings with Shigeru Miyamoto and the Zelda staff. Interesting, huh?

Hey, GPG, could you possibly scan the ET?

Btw, as far as what Zelda says about Link returning to his childhood, couldn't that be interpreted as her finding it difficult to say good bye? Tears ARE streaming down her face, so she's obviously upset. Or maybe it was to represent her guilt in the sense that she feels that he would have been happier living his life in the forest, before he was summoned to become a hero. You can interpret it in many different ways, but bottom line is that they both love one another. They feel incomplete without the other.

Nope, sorry. That would be breaking copyright law, so I can't. ( and won't ) But a few pages/quotes fall under the fair use clause. I don't have a scanner however.

Well, yeah, she feels he needs the chance to be happy, not realizing SHE makes him happy...I mean, her greatest wish is probably to erase all the misery he's gone through. ( But I doubt Link wanted it. ) I agree: they truly love each other. I think that's the feeling I felt in the game when he was a kid again - incomplete. Until he returned, of course.

Okay, now I really need to read the scanlation again (just need to find the link). I could have sworn that Navi's line about Saria in that translation was similar to the one we have in the English translation. And I thought the whole Zelda-Link-Malon triangle in the scanlation was as obvious as you're going to get, but the English translation proved me wrong.

Mm, GPG, I wanted to ask you a question. At the end of the manga in the fan translations I've seen, the part where Link is returned to the Temple of Time has a phrase where it says "Link. . . I adore you, Link." I'm wondering if that's carried over into the English translation, and if so, does it clarify who exactly is saying it? I hope you know what part I'm talking about.

I do - It strongly appears to be Navi. The translation is:

"Link, you are a magnificent hero! The forest will be safe with you there."
*flying away*
"Link... I love you!"

The fan translation I read said "Link...I love you, Link." Maybe we've read different fan translations, but I just wanted to point it out.

Wait waaaa? I thought the second volume came December 2nd!? D:
I still have to wait until the end of next week, or the beginning of the one after for mine to arrive. *Sad*

Where can you get the manga then? Can you get them in local stores?

Not sure...I heard someone found one copy in Barnes and Noble. I pre-ordered mine off of Amazon, and that's why it arrived so early I'd guess. The good news is they are really cheap..not like American superhero comic trade Paperbacks.

Ah, thank you!! : D I thought there was a chance it was maybe Zelda who said it, but it's sweet that it's Navi. ^^

Yeah, I think there are several different fan translations out there, TM. I figured it was probably meant to be I love you, but I wanted to check.

Another question- there's a part after Zelda is captured when Link and Nabooru are sitting around a fire before they storm Ganon's castle, and Link says something along the lines of how when he say Zelda again, all he could do was brush her hand. How do they phrase it in the English translation?

No problem..It would be simplest to just scan it, but I honestly don't want to break any rules and it's a major detour to Staples for me to go scan anything.

*goes to pull out Adult Chapters*

Link: "...Even I never noticed, and I was right by her all the time. I barely got to touch her before Ganondorf stole her away..."
Nabooru: " You were holding onto her tightly when you left the fortress"
Link:" That was Sheik"...( the next part is identical to the scanlation. )
...
Link:"Rather than having a happy reunion, we've been torn apart again."
...
It then proceeds again as the scanlation had it...Link deciding to go after her.

( I love what Nabooru says: "There are some things that even a master thief shouldn't steal!" )