(It doesn't say elephants either..)
I'm not sure how well known the word is with native English speaking folks, I guess neither do you, so it's difficult for us to declare it obscure.
It's obvious they're elephants. The original decided to describe them alternatively, if we use elephants we would deviate from that.
(Still loving this stuff.. )
The original uses an affectionate Dutch term for elephants, there is no such similar term in English so we should just translate it as elephants rather than some obscure alternative.
And yes, I am sure the term is obscure, I know enough of English to "declare" that. Also it is quote Wikipedia “an obsolete 19th-century taxonomic order of mammals” and let’s not replace normal words with taxonomic names. Did you know this pachyderm word originally, or did you find it by searching through dictionaries?
So how is it, if you'd like to elaborate, you're so sure?
If it is obscure, then, yeah, it seems dikhuiden can't be properly translated..
- edit
See you elaborated your comment a bit more..
No, I wasn't familiar with the (Dutch) word (though I might heave heard/read it sometime ) but I can't be sure that's the same for native English speaking folks.
I’m sure that it’s obscure because I am sufficiently well-read in English to know that if I don’t recognise the word then it is most likely obscure. I didn’t really like your presumption that I wasn’t able to judge it properly because I’m not a native speaker, feel free to apply it to yourself but not to others. If I hadn’t been sufficiently sure it was obscure, I wouldn’t have spoken up about it in the first place.
Also, by the way, note that this translation is intended for an international audience, not native English speakers. It is not the job of the game, much less ours as translators, to teach the players new words.
@Grauw That's why I asked how you're so sure. Presumptions are a treacherous thing..
You could be well-read in English, probably better then I am, but still you're not a native English speaking person, didn't grew up in the culture etc. (AFAIK that is).
One thing I learned (and am still learning) is to be (very) careful with drawing (your (ones) own) conclusions, and thinking you (really) know something (for sure)..
No offense, I'm not saying you're wrong, you could well be right. (And so yes, I'm applying it to myself.)
Ok, so what is the point then of your argument, even if you can not trust my judgement on this, if you yourself are as unfamiliar with the word as I, and you do not have anything to show that the word pachyderm is both commonly known to native English speakers and additionally will be familiar to an international audience as well.
C'mon guys. Go do some
(although it's a bit cold...) and let's keep the discussion limited to the translation of the games. Both your points are clear.
@tfh: no problem (Response will follow @Grauw)
@Grauw
According to the dictionary pachyderms is a proper translation, but then you elaborated how, being an obscure word, using elephants would be better.
I agree it's not our job to teach (international) players new (obscure) words.
So yeah, I'm listening, and your arguments (now) seem convincing.
I can be a bit headstrong myself, but when someone proofs or shows otherwise: no problem to learn & adjust.
Reading back, it seems I was a bit presumptuous, so sorry for that (& thanks for your elaboration )
Still a 'pity' (in a way (what are we talking about anyway?)) we can't translate it more closely to the original (don't you think?) (That's why I defended pachyderms, seemed 'neater'.)
(Btw: I didn't object when you stated All is put out on the table here was too clever.. )
Elephants... big ears ... there that covers the tone of the original better