Final Fantasy VIII seems, to me, to be a game that takes place on a world made up entirely of Europe. It's not just a coincidence, I'm convinced. The feel of the cities is European, from the cobblestone streets of Dollet to the sleek trains of Galbadia. But what does this mean for the game, and most importantly, for the characters?
I suppose the idea that most of the countries in the game could be likened to real European countries in the real world first came to me when I learned Laguna's last name...Loire. As I'm sure many know, the Loire river is a famous river in France, around which many of the most beautiful chateaux are constructed, including Chambourg, and my favourite, Chenonceau. Loire, I concluded, was a very French name. As Laguna is from Galbadia, I concluded that perhaps Galbadia could be likened to France.
Once the thought had occurred to me, everything seemed to support it. Galbadia is extremely French. Deling City, if you'll forgive me this, simple *feels* like Paris. The arch under which you engage the sorceress and Seifer for the first time looks so much like the famous Arc de Triomphe in Paris that I feel like it can't be just a mistake. Of course, later we encounter Winhill, which is like any provincial French town you'll ever go to. The dark haired, fair skinned Raine is undeniably reminiscent of a French woman, and the spelling they chose for her name, as well as for Ellone's, lend themselves to a graceful French pronunciation. So Galbadia is France then. At this point I can hardly think of it as anything else. This means that Laguna Loire, Rinoa Heartilly, Ellone, and Irvine Kinneas (who also has a very French-feel name) can all be described as "French." I therefore believe it makes sense to conclude that the Glabadian language is probably, in essence, French.
It is also important to remember that Squall, being the son of Laguna and Raine Loire, is of "French" Galbadian birth, though he was raised elsewhere. I'll get to Squall in more detail in a moment.
So Galbadia is France. What about the rest of them? Balamb, I have concluded, is Germany. It is apparent that there is a Germany somewhere. With blonde haired blue eyed youths bearing names such as Zell Dincht and Seifer Almasy (say them with a German accent. You'll see.) it is more than apparent. When we learn that the Dinchts are indeed a family from Balamb, it is easy to conclude that the island must be the equivalent of Germany. Quistis Trepe is likely also of "Balamb" or "German" origin, I think. The only one left is Selphie Tilmitt. Trabia is difficult to place. Though her name, "Selphie Tilmitt" feels distinctly English to me and her personality, as well as some of her speaking patterns ("Squall, are you MAD!?") do too, Trabia itself has a decidedly Scandanavian climate. In the end, I suppose it hardly matters either way. Great Britain, by virtue of it's close proximity, is in reality highly influenced by old Scandanavian culture. Perhaps Trabia is a combination? There are indications of other countries as well. Kiros is an undeniably Greek name. Kadowaki and Xu are most definitely Asian, and of course, the country of Esthar is nearly impossible to place. It could easily be likened to Japan, with it's focus on and talent for technology, as well as it's general desire to be left alone. Because of it's size I am also reminded of Russia. Of course, the only person we ever really meet from there is Odin, and he's so weird I wouldn't use him as a template for anything.
As for language...it follows that any student growing up in Balamb would speak German. It's also likely that SeeD trainees would be educated in several languages. Rinoa and Irvine would have grown up speaking French. I often have Squall and Rinoa speak French to each other as well. Though Squall did not grow up in Galbadia, he did spend the first years of his life in very close contact with Ellone, who, having grown the first years of her life there, would likely speak the language. I think Squall's first language, therefore, would have been "Galbadian" or French, and that the SeeD program would have kept it fresh even when he was surrounded by "Germans." Zell, having grown up with a "German" family, would probably be most comfortable with German.
Okay, I think I've covered it. It was longer than I'd wanted it to be, but I hope it explains a few things...most importantly, "Why is Rinoa speaking French?" and other such questions. ~_^
If you didn't come here from my page of ff.net, you can reach it here. Thanks for reading!
-Lady Blackmour