This English teacher translated Capcom’s Monster Hunter language, and it only took 2,000 hours

10/05/2024

Cracking the Code: Unraveling the Mysteries of Monster Hunter's Fictional Language

Capcom's Monster Hunter series has captivated gamers worldwide with its immersive worlds and unique gameplay. But beyond the thrilling monster battles and intricate crafting systems, the franchise has also intrigued linguists and language enthusiasts with its meticulously crafted fictional language. One dedicated fan, a former English teacher, has spent the last 2,000 hours or more unraveling the complexities of this language, revealing a treasure trove of insights that shed light on Capcom's creative process.

Unlocking the Linguistic Secrets of Monster Hunter

Reverse-Engineering a Multilayered Linguistic Masterpiece

Moofah Melody, a language enthusiast known on Twitter, has employed a complex network of methods to decipher the intricacies of the Monster Hunter language. The process involves a multilayered approach, where the Japanese script is first translated into a "mystery language" and then phonetically back into Japanese, before being subjected to an algorithm to produce the final result.Interestingly, Moofah has discovered that the language used in Monster Hunter Generations was based on French, but the origins of the language in other games remain a mystery. Capcom's development teams have kept the details of their linguistic processes closely guarded, leaving Moofah and other fans to piece together the puzzle through meticulous analysis.

Navigating the Linguistic Landscape of Monster Hunter

Despite the challenges posed by the limited in-game text, Moofah has managed to distill the Monster Hunter language into five distinct branches and dialects, with a lexicon of over 450 words. This impressive feat has required an immense amount of effort, including the transcription and analysis of 45GB worth of cutscene audio.One of the key challenges Moofah faced was the contextual usage of words, as Capcom often employed the same Monster Hunter Language (MHL) word, tense, and form in completely different contexts. This required a deep understanding of the language's grammar and structure, which Moofah has painstakingly uncovered through their research.

Preparing for the Next Linguistic Adventure

As the release of Monster Hunter Wilds approaches, Moofah is racing against the clock to complete their comprehensive lexicon and teaching manual. The new game is expected to introduce additional layers of complexity to the language, further challenging Moofah's efforts to fully reverse-engineer and document this unique linguistic creation.Despite the daunting task, Moofah remains determined to share their findings with the Monster Hunter community, providing a valuable resource for fans and linguists alike. The publication of the teaching manual, planned before the launch of Monster Hunter Wilds, will serve as a testament to the dedication and passion of this language enthusiast, who has dedicated countless hours to unraveling the mysteries of Capcom's fictional language.