Question Need suggestion in translating spell name.

Discussion in 'Translator's Corner' started by Yukkuri Oniisan, Dec 13, 2015.

  1. Yukkuri Oniisan

    Yukkuri Oniisan 『Procrastinator Archwizard Translator and Writer』

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    So in Tenseisha wa Cheat o Nozomanai, Chapter 4, Mira drop a bomb about the spell name was in some old language from foregone Age of Empire... because the magician that develop the magic think it was cooler in that language.

    The spell name was typically: Japanese Kanji (Its English Name)
    As you can see, the English name was substitute for the old language

    To preserve the feel should I translate it to: Latin (English) or English (Latin)?

    I currently go with English (Latin) to preserve the original Japanese feels about the spell name was in some old language.
    But I kinda interested in second opinion.

    Also since Fire attribute magic is fire magic sounds strange, I per my editor suggestion went:
    Fire Magic = Pyro Magic
    Water = Aqua
    Wind = Aero
    Earth = Terra
    So what do you think?
     
    Last edited: Dec 13, 2015
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  2. MapleKaiser

    MapleKaiser Well-Known Member

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    It sounds all good in my opinion. :)
     
  3. ragnar

    ragnar Well-Known Member

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    They are all pretty good!
    You could also add the word "ancient" to the English translation for e.g. ancient fire magic ( Best way to convey that it's ancient IMO. Haha ). But that might sound slightly offbeat in certain places.
     
  4. Sproutling

    Sproutling We are the Sproutlings

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    Latin (English), you should go with pyro seems cool. :)
     
  5. Slimikyi

    Slimikyi ^____^

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    Not that good into these things but...

    You have two Greek (Pyro and Aero) and two Latin (Terra and Aqua) there.
    Of if you used Terra from the Roman Goddess, then you can use Gaia/Gaea for the Greek Goddess.
    This is definitely not the best site, but it's what I get from a few minutes of Googling.

    Traditionally, the four elements would be Fire, Water, Air and Earth (instead of Wind). If you go for all Latin, you can try something like Ignis (or Flamma), Aqua, Aura (or Aer) and Terra. And if you want Greek, you can try something like...
    Fire = Pyr (now Pyro)
    Water = Hydor (now Hydro), Neró (or just Nero)
    Wind/Air = Aer (now Aero), Aether (apparently Aer and Aether denotes different heighth of the "air" or atmosphere)
    Earth = Ge (now Geo, the equivalent of Hydro), I don't know (Maybe just use Gaia?)

    Oh yeah, Aer is supposedly used for other meanings too. So use with caution? By the time, I am by no means of having any knowledge in Greek or Latin. That's all from the mighty power of Google. Anyways, you're free to use whatever you want. I'm only tossing out other options. (And me having OCD makes me want to just use the same Old Language instead of two or more.)
     
    Last edited: Dec 13, 2015
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  6. endopain91

    endopain91 Active Member

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    Keeping in line with "Aqua" and "Terra", An alternative for Fire can be "Ignis", and Air can be "Aeris".
    so they would technically become "Ignic Magic" and "Aeric Magic"...
    Similarly, "Aquaic Magic" and "Terrae Magic"
    You can also replace "Magic" with "Magica" for a more complete sounding name instead of something mixed.

    I'm not sure if you want accurate names or names that roll of our tongues easier. I think it might be a good idea to have a poll on your site and let the fans decide. It's up to you in the end. Have Fun. :)
     
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  7. maskedcerf

    maskedcerf DCLXVI

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    good idea ^^
     
  8. Estarossa

    Estarossa 《Master of Dessert》°Resurrected Ghoul°

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    Use the terms from Negima
     
  9. Yukkuri Oniisan

    Yukkuri Oniisan 『Procrastinator Archwizard Translator and Writer』

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    Well I just use mixture and match in the magic attribute name...
    thanks for the suggestion. Now back to drawing board!
     
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  10. Clown333

    Clown333 「Altiora Petamus Volente Deo Lucete Stellae」

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    Danna~ You're doing it right. Seems better to spell it in Latin just like that. All Tl-ed manga did the same thing too if you may say...
    Check mangahere or somewhere just to be sure~
     
  11. Clown333

    Clown333 「Altiora Petamus Volente Deo Lucete Stellae」

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    Good luck with that~