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Community => Adventure Related Talk & Chat => Topic started by: TheMagician on Thu 03/06/2004 13:27:34

Title: Help with translation of title
Post by: TheMagician on Thu 03/06/2004 13:27:34
Hi everyone (hope this is the right forum).

My problem is the translation of the title of my upcoming game into English (so perhaps some German speakers could help me, too).

The German title is:    "Ein Zivi jagt Dr. No"

A "Zivi" is an underpaid social worker in Germany (you MUST do this if you are 18, male and don't want to join the army).
So, I created the game during the lunch breaks in the hospital.

How would you translate it into a well sounding English title?

"An underpaid social worker chases Doctor No"  ???

It is a funny game, so the title doesn't have to be too serious.

Any ideas are appreciated.
Stefan
Title: Re: Help with translation of title
Post by: YOke on Thu 03/06/2004 13:32:13
A pacifist pacifies Dr. No?
Title: Re: Help with translation of title
Post by: TheMagician on Thu 03/06/2004 13:40:56
What does "to pacify" mean?
Title: Re: Help with translation of title
Post by: YOke on Thu 03/06/2004 13:50:50
To pacify means (among other things) to make someone unable to do something/anything. Can be anything from calming down an angry person to killing someone who is about to destroy the world. :)
btw... A pacifist is a person unwilling to harm other people.
Title: Re: Help with translation of title
Post by: TheMagician on Thu 03/06/2004 13:57:13
Wow ... first suggestion and I really like it!

Thank you YOke!

let's just for a moment think in another direction:
What is the first mission of James Bond called in English?
The German title translated into English word by word would be "James Bond chases Dr. No".   I just ask this because - if possible - i would like to have a title which reminds one of the James Bond Title.

Title: Re: Help with translation of title
Post by: strazer on Thu 03/06/2004 13:57:40
My dictionary says "conscientious objector performing community service". :-\
Hm, community service...how about "A commie chasing Dr. No"? ;)

The original english title is just "Dr. No". :P
Title: Re: Help with translation of title
Post by: TheMagician on Thu 03/06/2004 14:02:28
What??? Just "Dr. No" ??? I wouldn't have guessed that  :)

And to strazer:

"conscientious objector performing community service"   ... muahaha ... very good, so how about:

"A conscientious objector performing community service is chasing Dr. No"  :)

Ok, so we can't use the original Bond title. .... any ideas how to make it sound "Mission impossible"-ish ?

Title: Re: Help with translation of title
Post by: strazer on Thu 03/06/2004 14:10:48
Quote"A conscientious objector performing community service is chasing Dr. No"

lol, I like it actually. Certainly memorable. :)
Title: Re: Help with translation of title
Post by: TheMagician on Thu 03/06/2004 14:12:57
Well ... I have to admit that I like it, too.

But how on earth would the title-logo look ???

And it would be reffered to as "ACOPCSICDN"  :)
Title: Re: Help with translation of title
Post by: strazer on Thu 03/06/2004 14:21:54
Well, I was only half-joking.

Perhaps you should drop the "Zivi" part and just call it "Chasing Dr. No"?
Title: Re: Help with translation of title
Post by: SSH on Thu 03/06/2004 14:24:21
"The Draft Dodger versus Dr No"
or
"Hell, Dr No, we won't go" (Hell No, We won't go was an anti-vietnam chant)

Title: Re: Help with translation of title
Post by: TheMagician on Thu 03/06/2004 14:45:51
@strazer:

just calling it "Chasing Dr. No"  ... doesn't that sound too serious? ... that really sound like a pure action game to me :)

@SSH:

"Draft Dodger": a person who evades or attempts to evade compulsory military service

...wow ... I am impressed. That sounds ... brutal  :)  ... but I could go with it ....

I am thinking of an alliteration there: "The doctor dashing Draft Dodger"

...does that make sense ....

EDIT: How about "Doctor denial" instead of "Doctor No" .... so we have

"A Draft Dodger dashes Doctor Denial"
Title: Re: Help with translation of title
Post by: SSH on Thu 03/06/2004 14:52:40
Does the Doctor Dodge the Draft Dodger? or D5 for short?

or Draft Dodger Denies Doctor...
Title: Re: Help with translation of title
Post by: TheMagician on Thu 03/06/2004 14:58:35
"Draft Dodger Denies Doctor" is cool because you actually have to take a medical exam (everybody is afraid of) before you can do the work.  :)

The D5 think is a good idea I think


Does "Doctor Denial" sound funny in any way? (I think it does) ... does it remind you of "Doctor No"?
Title: Re: Help with translation of title
Post by: SSH on Thu 03/06/2004 16:27:23
Doctor Denial is weird funny rather than humourous funny... it doesn't really remind me of Dr No. Maybe Doctor Dunno would be better... 
Title: Re: Help with translation of title
Post by: TheMagician on Thu 03/06/2004 16:38:10
Thanks SSH.
So here we go:



                                             DDDDD

               "The Draft Doger who Denied Doctor Dunno"

                                             DDDDD




How about that?
Any more comments are happily awaited.
Stefan
Title: Re: Help with translation of title
Post by: TerranRich on Fri 04/06/2004 06:19:52
I personally like it. I also like the D5 for short, it's a neat concept. :)