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thekingsgambitCan it be that I finally found something to essay on so I can continue to procrastinate on my Lulu relationship/anti-sexuality essay? Actually, this came up when I was reading over threads the other day. It's relatively minor but it allows me a chance to interpret canon so I'm a bit excited and also a bit conflicted. So yeah, I'm going to talk out of my ass now.
Japanese language and Britannia
Now, I've never really played characters who would use honorifics since Setsuna's a rude ass and will only use them if he's teasing or if he really really really likes someone. I've made Usagi the exception because of the sibling-like way he views her. She's probably first to ever get Usagi-chan. I've been toying with switching to Mamori-san because he sort of respects her but that's another essay. The point is that Lelouch is considerably more polite than Setsuna when he deigns it worth his time.
I usually have him try to refer to people by their last names unless they tell him otherwise. For non-Japanese, this is never a problem. But I've also picked up the habit of having him use honorifics when dealing with Japanese campers, and therein lies the problem.
Canon tells us that Lelouch spent a year in Japan before Britannia completely took over. I don't know if it would be that drastic to assume the Japanese still had their language during that time. Since the invasion was only eight years later, if you went with that assumption, you could argue the Japanese probably use their language in casual conversation. I fully believe Britannia would require them to learn Britannian or whatever the empire language is to communicate and especially for honored Britannians such as Suzaku. That said, I believe that Lelouch probably speaks Japanese to the rebels, including the usual honorifics. I also think that Lelouch does respect Japan, even if as Zero he's just using the Japanese to further his own goals.
Because of this, I believe he would try to be as respectful as possible to the Japanese at camp... if they don't piss him off early on. So I have him use honorifics unless told not to. I admit my style is probably confusing and out-of-place, but it just strikes me as appropriate for him.
On that note, on the thread where he believe he was talking with Kallen when addressing Gojyo, I think he does refer to Kallen as Kallen-san. But it gets tricky since Code Geass is a Japanese series so it's hard to tell what's meant to be Japanese and what's meant to be Britannian. Kallen further confuses me with her half-and-half ethnicity, being part Britannian but also part Japanese. Should we ever get a Kallen, I might have him go with Kallen because although Kallen is more devoted to her Japanese origins and even uses her Japanese surname when outside of school, she does not know Lelouch is Zero and therefore does not expect him to know the truth about her.
Suzaku does not have this issue because Lelouch just refers to him as Suzaku due to their childhood friendship and closeness. I have no idea what they referred to each other as before they become friends as children.
On a related note, this confusion over Japanese vs. Britannian is also why I struggle with the urge to call Milly "kaichou" but usually go with "president." Sometimes I slip up though.
Japanese language and Britannia
Now, I've never really played characters who would use honorifics since Setsuna's a rude ass and will only use them if he's teasing or if he really really really likes someone. I've made Usagi the exception because of the sibling-like way he views her. She's probably first to ever get Usagi-chan. I've been toying with switching to Mamori-san because he sort of respects her but that's another essay. The point is that Lelouch is considerably more polite than Setsuna when he deigns it worth his time.
I usually have him try to refer to people by their last names unless they tell him otherwise. For non-Japanese, this is never a problem. But I've also picked up the habit of having him use honorifics when dealing with Japanese campers, and therein lies the problem.
Canon tells us that Lelouch spent a year in Japan before Britannia completely took over. I don't know if it would be that drastic to assume the Japanese still had their language during that time. Since the invasion was only eight years later, if you went with that assumption, you could argue the Japanese probably use their language in casual conversation. I fully believe Britannia would require them to learn Britannian or whatever the empire language is to communicate and especially for honored Britannians such as Suzaku. That said, I believe that Lelouch probably speaks Japanese to the rebels, including the usual honorifics. I also think that Lelouch does respect Japan, even if as Zero he's just using the Japanese to further his own goals.
Because of this, I believe he would try to be as respectful as possible to the Japanese at camp... if they don't piss him off early on. So I have him use honorifics unless told not to. I admit my style is probably confusing and out-of-place, but it just strikes me as appropriate for him.
On that note, on the thread where he believe he was talking with Kallen when addressing Gojyo, I think he does refer to Kallen as Kallen-san. But it gets tricky since Code Geass is a Japanese series so it's hard to tell what's meant to be Japanese and what's meant to be Britannian. Kallen further confuses me with her half-and-half ethnicity, being part Britannian but also part Japanese. Should we ever get a Kallen, I might have him go with Kallen because although Kallen is more devoted to her Japanese origins and even uses her Japanese surname when outside of school, she does not know Lelouch is Zero and therefore does not expect him to know the truth about her.
Suzaku does not have this issue because Lelouch just refers to him as Suzaku due to their childhood friendship and closeness. I have no idea what they referred to each other as before they become friends as children.
On a related note, this confusion over Japanese vs. Britannian is also why I struggle with the urge to call Milly "kaichou" but usually go with "president." Sometimes I slip up though.