Although the word “sir” appears multiple times in dialogue for Jade and/or Floyd when they are talking to Azul on EN, they never once refer to Azul as “sir” in the original game (or any Japanese-language equivalent).
Azul himself explains, “The Leech brothers do not work for or answer to me”, and Floyd’s VA has said that the relationship between Jade, Floyd and Azul is one of his favorite things about the characters. “It is never just the two of them obeying Azul”. (Interview with Floyd’s VA)
In the main story Floyd himself says they are equals.
So where did “sir” come from on EN?
If Jade and Floyd always used polite verb forms while Azul used a more casual form, it would make sense for that to be translated as Jade and Floyd using “sir” with Azul, since English doesn’t have those forms.
But that’s not what’s happening.
Here is an ADeuce-based example:
We have Deuce (in honor student mode) using polite forms of verbs, and EN added “sir” to his dialogue. He isn’t technically saying “sir,” but he is using polite verb forms because he is speaking to Riddle, a figure of authority.
Ace should technically be also using those verb forms with Riddle as an underclassman, but he isn’t (Ace regularly slides in and out of using polite speech, as a part of the character), and EN, in turn, does not add a “sir” to his dialogue.
Riddle, as the oldest, the senpai and the housewarden, also uses casual verb forms. He also does not use “sir” with the younger students on EN.
This is all perfect: a great way to recreate the dynamic between the three characters in a language that doesn’t have different verb forms for different degrees of politeness.
But Octavinelle’s dynamic is completely different.
Jade and Azul both use polite speech patterns with whoever they are speaking to, regardless of age or authority, and with each other. If EN wishes to keep to their own “sir” continuity (to denote polite speech, as with Heartslabyul), they need to have Azul and Jade saying “sir” to each other.
But they don’t. They added “sir” only to Jade (and sometimes even Floyd), as if he is deferring to Azul, when he is not. Azul is speaking in the same way to Jade as Jade is to Azul, but while Jade’s politeness is being carried over, Azul’s is not.
Presumably this is because Azul is “the boss”—except Azul is not the boss.
In a normal situation he would be, as the housewarden if nothing else, but the twins do not see or treat Azul as a figure of authority; a very important point.
They never call Azul “sir” or “the boss” in their original dialogue (a nearly identical situation to Savanaclaw in Book 2, where no one actually ever calls Leona “the boss.” More here ▶︎ ).
The three are equals to one another, as explicitly explained, in-game, by the characters themselves, and refer to one another exclusively by their first names with no honorifics or nicknames.
On the opposite side, Floyd doesn’t use polite speech with anyone.
Much like how Jade and Azul speak in polite forms no matter who they’re talking to, Floyd speaks to everyone in casual forms. So not only is Floyd not referring to Azul as “sir” or “boss” or any Japanese-language equivalent, Floyd is actively using casual, borderline “rude” Japanese to Azul’s face, while Azul is using polite speech back at him.
If EN is to keep to their own “sir” continuity, they would need to have Azul calling Floyd “sir” and Floyd saying “whatever” in response.
While none of this is ever going to make it into EN in any detail because English just doesn’t have different verb forms for being polite, it’s unfortunate that EN has chosen to localize the characters by changing their dynamics for the sake of making them more into a stereotypical movie-trope, mafia-type group with lackies and a don instead of portraying the actual interpersonal relationships at work.
As for how to even do this in English, it might be as simple as either adding “sir” to Azul’s dialogue when he speaks to Jade and Floyd, or just not adding it to Jade’s and Floyd’s when they are speaking to Azul. This is all very much a part of why Octavinelle is so popular on JP, in a game that is all about the relationships between its characters.
EN players are getting a very different experience from what the dynamic between these characters actually is; Floyd is still saying “we are equals” but—in English—they do not act like.
Translators have a heavy responsibility, and it is fascinating how mere phrasing is capable of rewriting entire character relationships, veering away from the creator’s original intent with the simple addition of “sir.”
Twisted Wonderland Reference Note 