#gotta stop comparing elven to japanese lol

[lillotte17]

So, I’m probably late to this party, but I’m up to Jaws of Hakkon now, and listening to Ameridan’s memories and he says Telana’s full name is ‘Telanadas’. And that it translates to ‘Nothing is inevitable’ in Elvhen. Tel = not + Nadas = inevitable

Which reminded me that ‘Nothing is inevitable’  is the most common translation for Solas’ response to the Fear demon in the Fade. But he says, “Banal nadas”. So, he must be saying something different.

A long while back, I made a comment about translations, and how you can’t always just plug stuff in. Specifically focusing on the usage of ‘banal’ when Lavellan replies to Solas in Trespasser. The direct translation is ‘nothing’, but you should also consider all the synonyms for the word ‘nothing’ when you see it in a sentence. Just like ‘din’, doesn’t just mean ‘death’, it also means ‘end’. The Din’an Hanin is ‘the place where glory ends’. 

So, I posited that ‘Ma banal ghilana!’ Translates more closely to “you gave me empty guidance!” or “the things you told me were worthless!” or, in the vernacular, “You’re full of shit!” (depending on just how mad you figure your Lavellan is, lol)

Rolling with that assumption, and learning that it probably isn’t ‘nothing is inevitable’, I’d say Solas is probably trying to be a bit more defiant. He sounds unnerved by what the Fear demon says, but not surprised. And when the other companions are challenged, most of them tell it to fuck off. 

So, for consideration: Though the translations vary, the Fear demon is obviously digging into Solas about how he fucked up with the Veil, and none of his other plans are going to work and everything’s ruined forever because he’s an awful traitor and Solas replies, “Banal nadas”- “Your inevitabilities ring hollow” or “Your speculations on destiny are worthless” or, again in the vernacular, “Your opinions about my ‘fate’ are shit.”

I like the idea of him being a bit sassy. Or at least trying to be. 

Another variant could simply be, “There’s no such thing as destiny”. With the ‘banal’ being in reference to ‘nadas’ itself. Solas refuting the idea that he’s fated to destroy the world by simply denying that fate exists. Very similar to the original translation, but has more feeling of trying to convince himself of something that he’s not quite sure of. “Nothing is inevitable” almost sounds hopeful, “There is no such thing as fate/inevitabilities” sounds like he really wants it to be true, but he almost doubts that it is.

(oh I made myself sad :( )