This is exactly why I had to switch back to English voices, Polish VOs just made my head hurt. And I liked most of the voices. :C

And whoaaa at that ending inconsistency... why would they do that? Adaptation is one thing, changing a character completely is another. Have you noticed anything like that in other parts of the game?

Well, since I'm not Polish-speaking myself, I can't say for sure how it sounds to someone who knows the language, but isn't sounding theatrical a good thing? I mean, giving voice to a game character is more than just reading out lines from a script (even if you're reading them very well); doesn't it add more if they also act out the characters they give voice to? Someone mentioned earlier that the owner of the incense shop is given the 'sniffles' of a fisstech-addict in the Polish voice, so you hear him sniffing constantly as he speaks, helping you to figure out he's addicted. I mean, of course it can be done in a 'I'm over-acting!'-kind of way, but I'd rather have too much acting than too little.

Yeah, it's absolute insanity. My friend should drop by later, she remembers the whole line perfectly and has been very upset at it ever since she heard it (she has English subtitles on, so she can compare). As far as I recall, nothing like that ever happened in other parts of the game; it was just that ending speech. She always pointed out inconsistencies, but there was never anything that changed the characters or the story in any profound way - mostly flavour. Since it's such an isolated event, and since it's such a major difference... that's why I suspected they might have been working with different drafts or something.

If you (or she) could post the whole conversation in both languages, that would be amazing. I understand why your friend would be upset, it's been going around my head all morning. Up until now I'd been thinking we finally got a strong female character done right and now this :/ Ehhh CDPR, you've got a lot of explaining to do.

Aye, exactly. The Polish version of Saskia goes against everything they built up prior to this scene, apparently. It makes you wonder which version is the 'final version,' so to speak. I mean, of course the whole virgin thing can be the same as the dragonslayer title: a made-up story to aid the legend surrounding her, helping her role as a leader, but that she suddenly starts talking about having Iorveth as some sort of sex toy... that just feels so wrong. So very, very wrong. Even keeping in mind that being 'as one' with Philippa for some time might have rubbed off a bit on her personality, making her a bit more ruthless and coldly calculating (the other things she says during this conversation seem to imply this), it makes absolutely no sense why she would suddenly declare her interest in keeping a wanted elf terrorist around for sexual reasons. I found her comment on being attracted to dwarves to much better suit her character - it reveals, tastefully, how she's not completely detached from physical attractions, and does so in a light-hearted and unexpected way. Suits the character you've known up until then perfectly. Sex-hungry Saskia does not... :/

Does she speak with a slutty tone or something when she says that she could use a man? Honestly, the way I'm reading that isn't overtly sexual. Is that the actual line?

You know, because we do more stuff than just have sex. If all she says is that she "could use a man," she could just mean for companionship.

Just to make it clear, the pre I-wanna-take-a-ride-on-your-disco-stick Saskia is the same as English Saskia and the ending is the only time she's different? It's really sudden and strange, even if she changed after being under Philippa's spell.

The comment about dwarves was so cute! It made me like her more. I never did believe the whole virgin story, I just assumed it was a title/made up story to make her seem more pure and inspiring. Not that it matters that much.

Not exactly slutty, but it definitely feels out of character. My friend should be here shortly, and she'll re-watch the scene, and provide us with a transcript of sorts so you can all see for yourself.

Yes, this is the only time where her character differed noticeably between the English and Polish versions. Like I said, a few flavour bits here and there, but nothing that made her seem like a different character, comparing the two language versions.

Damn, I knew it. Lesbomancy has far-reaching consequences.

Hi gusy!

Hehe, I'm glad someone other than myself is interested (and troubled!) by this translation difference. As Kindo said, I played the game with Polish VO but English subtitles (tried English VO for a while but Triss and Geralt's English VO's I found to be subpar and actually irritating). Mostly I feel the English translation is more explanatory and has more exposition, while the Polish version is more nuanced and, to me, just generally more amusing and flavourful.

[SPOILER WARNING!]

Okay, so all in all the translation is very faithful and only varies on a few small points between Polish and English versions (for example, in the intro, in the English VO King Foltest seems to say "for one day you will rule them" only to his son, but in the Polish VO he uses the plural form so it is clear his is talking to both children). However, the translational difference in the ending where you choose to go with Iorveth and are talking with Saskia after releasing her from the spell is by far the biggest and only instance I have so far encountered where the conversation is actually completely different.

I have translated the Polish VO into English myself, and then included a transcript of the English VO in English so you guys can compare.
Note! For the Polish-to-English translation, I have placed implied terms in square brackets. The thing is, a lot can be said in Polish without too much explicit explanation due to the nature of the language's grammatical structure. This is probably why I find the English VO's to be much more expository and less nuanced than the Polish.


Polish version (translated to English by me):

Conversation Option is: You owe the removal of the curse to Iorveth
Geralt: Tell me, what will become of Iorveth now?
Saskia: Let's be frank: he's a terrorist. I will not whitewash his actions nor deceive anyone [about his nature]. He has to earn respect on his own, and perhaps in a few generations, people will forget [about his misdeeds].
Geralt: You used him?
Saskia: Geralt, Iorveth has killed more men than you've eaten cutlets. He's not someone you can just use. He believed [in] me, and he knew full well from the start what we were fighting for. It was his choice.
Geralt: You really don't get what I'm talking about, do you? You haven't noticed that mushy look [he gives you]?
Saskia: We were fighting together for a cause.
Geralt: Iorveth will do anything for you. The question is, what are you willing to do for him?
Saskia: There will always be a place for the Scoia'tael in the Free Valley of Pontar. And when it comes to Iorveth in particular, well, *putting her hands on her hips* that's none of your business. Actually, I could use a man.

English version (transcription):

Geralt: Can you tell me what will happen to Iorveth now?
Saskia: Let's be honest - he's a terrorist. I'll not lie about him nor whitewash his deeds. He must earn respect on his own, and perhaps, a few generations on, humans will forget.
Geralt: Did you intend just to use him?
Saskia: Geralt, Iorveth has killed more humans than you've eaten chickens. He's not one to be used - it's not that simple. He came to believe in me and knew from the start what we were fighting for. He made a choice.
Geralt: Sure you don't know what I'm talking about? Those baby doe eyes, that intense, misty gaze, the pouting?
Saskia: We shared a cause, fought side by side...
Geralt: Iorveth did and would do anything for you. Question is - what're you prepared to do for him?
Saskia: There will always be a place for the Scoia'tael in the Free Pontar Valley. As to Iorveth himself, I've heard many say crude things about us... Thing is, as long as I can remember, I've found dwarves... fascinating. Must be a dragon thing. And though preferable to a human; an elf would be a compromise...

As you can see, they are completely different. First off, in the Polish VO, Geralt repeats the exact phrase that Zoltan and Dandelion used to describe how they interpreted Iorveth's behaviour around Saskia ("that mushy look"), which, coupled with the phrasing of the sentence, makes it very obvious he is referring to Iorveth making mushy love-eyes at Saksia.

However, in the English version, it seems absurd that he would be referring to Iorveth when he says "Those baby doe eyes, that intense, misty gaze, the pouting?" Honestly, gods, can anyone here picture IORVETH of all people with baby doe eyes, pouting his lips at Saskia? Also, following his previous statements where Geralt is suspecting Saskia of using Iorveth, it seems obvious that he is suggesting Saskia exercised her physical charms to entice Iorveth further to her cause.

Now, I really feel that the English version here is much more logical, both in the general structure of the conversation as well as with consideration to Iorveth and Saskia's personalities. I wonder if the English translators took poetic license because they found the Polish version to be lacking here, or if they received a later draft?

Just on a note, the term Saskia uses in the Polish version when she says, "I could use a man" is more like "bloke" than "man" - she says "chłop," which is the same as the Polish term for "peasant," and is used in a fashion that denotes a sexual relationship. Basically, it makes her come off as pretty off-hand and not emotionally invested in the matter, but looking at it from more of a pragmatic sense. "Well, I guess a man would come in handy" - is the more figurative translation of what she says. This doesn't really bother me from a Saskia POV - we didn't get to know her personality too much, and she did seem very pragmatic and straight-forward, with no mincing about. However, I sincerely doubt Iorveth would allow himself to be treated that way, and it comes off as a bit odd, seeing as how she had just previously said "he's not someone you can just use."

Now, the English version is obviously very different, and, I think, much more funny! (And I'm not just saying that because I want Iorveth all to myself!) I would love to see Saskia with a dwarf!

There's one more thing that bothers me about this conversation. Geralt, in both versions, says that Iorveth would do anything for Saskia. However, as Geralt and Iorveth are departing to find Saskia and do battle with her in dragon form, Iorveth, in both versions, tells Geralt, "but please, don't kill her... unless you must do so to save your own life."

I was expecting threats from Iorveth at this point, and was very shocked to find that in a choice between Saskia and Geralt, he would choose Geralt! (Or, depending on how you look at it, doesn't expect Geralt to sacrifice himself.) I thought it was very touching to see how they'd grown as comrades-in-arms and friends. Iorveth even gives his very first smile (brief though it is) upon seeing Geralt return alive from battling Saskia. At this point, he doesn't even know if Geralt's return means Saskia has been freed from the spell or slain, but still he smiles and claps Geralt on the shoulder in a friendly fashion. So it just seems odd to me that Geralt would say Iorveth would do anything for Saskia. I mean, what if she decided to side with Nilfgaard or what if she began putting the interests of her main supporters, the human peasants, ahead of that of the nonhumans? Which, I might add, is highly likely? I doubt there is anyone Iorveth would follow with blind faith, and if there is such a person, Geralt is the closest thing to it. I know this because it was shown to me through his actions.

If there was supposed to be some sort of deep love between Saskia and Iorveth, even if it was one-sided, they did not show it. Iorveth's only interaction with Saskia in the game that we see, at the meeting in Vergen before her poisoning, consists of him walking into the room, standing behind her, and folding his arms across his chest. He only speaks when Saskia's allies are objecting to his presence, saying that one word from Saskia and he and the Scoia'tael will leave.

Later, to the surprise of Geralt, Zoltan claims Iorveth has a stiffy for Saskia, that he was smiling like a stupid doll at her every word while checking out her boobs - but we never see this. When we find out that Saskia is a dragon, Iorveth's baffling respect for what seemed to be just a headstrong dh'oine suddenly makes sense. It also makes sense why anyone who is unaware of her true nature assumes Iorveth must be smitten with the same base qualities they are - tits, ass, and a pretty face. Obviously, it seems unlikely that a dh'oine-butchering, long-lived Elven commando such as Iorveth has never seen a hawt human peasant girl before, as to be enamoured by her. Hence, when her true nature is revealed, it all makes sense. I'd be kissing the ground if a dragon landed in front of me, too.

That's why Geralt's later insinuations of Iorveth's romantic feelings for Saskia in the Polish version seems so odd and out of character for the Elf. And, likewise, Saskia's reaction of initial denial but eventual concession that she could use a man seems odd.

I really prefer the English version on this one. It's funnier, and seems more true to the characters. I hope that they continue in that strain in future instalments. Unless! We see a grumpy Iorveth in the future who feels betrayed by Saskia. I mean, think about it. In the past, the Scoia'tael forces were used by the North in their fight against the Empire, only to be slaughtered and dispersed by their own supposed allies as soon as the conflict ended. Saskia ensures the Scoia'tael will be welcome in her new nation, but would the human peasants really accept them? Time will tell!

Thanks for the transcript. Amazing post as well - I agree completely with your reasoning.

You are amazing, thank you so much for the post! It cleared up a lot.

I just did and tears are streaming down my face :P

This is a great point. To be honest, the "love affair" between Saskia and Iorveth seemed somewhat forced, to me. If you ever touch upon the topic of Saskia, all Iorveth says is that she's different and that they are fighting for a common goal. I was (and still am) under impression that he was in 'love' with her ideals, not her. They just had a common goal.

This is reaching, but Polish version would make sense if they, uh, used each other for the sake of reaching that goal. Which would sort of explain "kill her if you must" and "I could use a bloke" attitudes - neither of them care about each other in that way.

This x1000000000

And hey, who wouldn't be looking at Saskia's boobs? Homegirl knows what she's got and how to use it.

I agree, it seems English voice over have better personality that suit each characters compared to the original Polish voice over.

Thank you! I'm glad you appreciated it, I'm happy for the discussion! I totally agree with your interpretation - that Saskia and Iorveth had a common goal, but neither were under delusions about the other, nor was there romantic interest. You can have respect and admiration, and even love for someone without it being romantic or sexual, even though some folks, such as drunken dwarves and lewd bards, might not understand that!

YES, YES, YES to all of this.

I think the whole "Saskia/Iorveth" issue was started and exaggerated by fans, mostly those who yearn for romantic plots or just happen to be addicted to shipping characters. Saskia and Iorveth are bond by feelings - but only of understanding and mutual respect. They know they have to rely on each other and are eager to help, as long as it benefits both parties. Though Saskia makes no secret of using Iorveth for her plans, whatever it means a subtle manipulation or something on a deeper level. Iorveth admires her, but not as a woman he wants to bone or start a family with, but as a leader of new movement, as a mighty fighter and a being far more powerful than mere human (or elf for this matter). Besides, I really don't think we can take Dandelion's playfulness as a strong evidence - if you read the books, you will see he is always making those silly assumptions straight-from-the-kindergarten about various characters.