See, i'd hate that. Did they really change it into that? If so, it's already a no-buy for me.
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Well, the German translation works rather well. Rittersporn is a plant closely related to Jaskier, the Polish original. But it also consists of the words "Ritter" and "Sporn", which are "Knight" and a word that describes either a rider's spurs or something pointy, in the shape of a horn on flowers or birds (which, with very little fantasy, could refer to his little horn between his legs
). The English "Dandelion" is similar - it's a completely different plant, but the words "Dandy" and "Lion" comprise similar connotations. It's a combination of the colorful, extroverted qualities of a flower, the courage of a knight or lion, and his love for flirting and women, all packed into his name. Brilliant.
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Doesn't "dandelion" in Dutch literally translates to something silly? I think that might be the reason.
@ Aaden, the same works for Dutch. And yes, Dandelion would be translated as 'paardenbloem' which can be translated back directly as Horse Flower. I think the alternative is better. Or you could use the original name from Polish and name him: Boterbloem. Which sounds lame and gay as well. =P
True, but Ridderspoor is pretty lame as well. I'd simply stick to Dandelion if i were to translate it.
(Ridderspoor translates directly into Knights trail. Not really a name, if you ask me.)
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That's because it isn't. It's a stage name. And in other languages, including Polish, it's not really a name either, it's the name of a flower.
If you want a proper name, you'd probably have to go with Julian Alfred Pankratz viscount de Lettenhove.
I'd accept that name. Sounds fitting.
But if Dandelion (Paardenbloem) is his stage name, what's his real name then? I'm curious now.
That's his real name. Julian Alfred Pankratz viscount de Lettenhove.
Oh haha i had no idea. In that case, Ridderspoor is doable for a stage name. They could have simply kept it Paardenbloem, although i agree that does sound a bit... weak.
I wonder why his mates like Geralt and Zoltan don't just call him Julian. So much easier.
There is no "keeping it Paardenbloem". The Polish original "Jaskier" is a flower from the buttercup family, or ranunculaceae (or maybe Jaskier is buttercup in general), as is the "Rittersporne" or "Ridderspoor". The English translator decided to go with Dandelion instead because "buttercup" is a female term of endearment like "honey", "darling", etc. and thus would make a poor choice for a renowned poet. "Ridderspoor" is, as far as I can tell, the most appropriate translation.
If you were friends with Slash, would you call him Saul instead?
No, cause Slash sounds cooler (though Saul is a pretty cool name as well) and is just as short. Dandelion vs Julian, on the other hand..
I think Geralt and Zoltan call him other shorter names, but there are ladies present :ice:
hehe can't think of Buttercup without this coming to mind
Ain't she perty?
hehe can't think of Buttercup without this coming to mind
Ain't she perty?
I think that's why the translators decided NOT to call him Buttercup. It would be my first thought too.hehe can't think of Buttercup without this coming to mind
"Dandelion" is about the perfect nickname for him in English. It carries at once the sound of "dandy" and "lion" (which the preceding "dandy" effectively belies), and it conveys an image of a man unconcerned with the direction of his life, willing to be blown wherever the wind takes him. I think "Jaskier" has much the same connotation in Polish.
dandy, n. a man who cares too much about his clothing and personal appearance [Merriam-Webster] Lord Byron, Beau Brummell, and Oscar Wilde were the dandies par excellence of the English-speaking world.
dandy, n. a man who cares too much about his clothing and personal appearance [Merriam-Webster] Lord Byron, Beau Brummell, and Oscar Wilde were the dandies par excellence of the English-speaking world.
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Well, those are just names, not Polish words, aren't they? If so, how wuold you translate them?To be fair though, the other names have been kept the same. Like Narakort, Velerad, Mahakam. Also Vizima is called Wyzima in the Dutch book.
I don't know why they slightly changed Vizima/Wyzima, maybe it's to make pronunciation more alike?
No! I left my lute in the village! Geralt, we have to go back and get it!
Geralt: Suck it up, buttercup.
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I guess my mind has been contaminated by children programming, because when you say Buttercup this is who I think of. Good times, good times.
Jaskier is a Polish name of genus of flowers. Besides the books, I never really heard the name used in any other way. I believe Sapkowski chose that name, because the first thing that comes to the mind of Polish reader is the adjective "Jaskrawy", which in Polish means "bright" - not in terms of intelligence though, but flashiness. Jaskier is after all a yellow coloured flower, which stands out from the surrounding grass and attracts our attention immediately. "Dandelion" is a good translation and I dare say stroke of genius ! It is after all a yellow flower as well, but more importantly just with the way it sounds, it paints in our mind this picture of a flamboyant person.Guy N'wah said:
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