Yes

When you 'learn to do' something that doesn't mean that you are forced to do it. The ability makes it clear that you are merging your ki to translate the message, and just because you know how to do that doesn't mean you are forced to do that.

The whole point of ki is control of one's self.

Generally beneficial abilities like this have absolute wording, most likely (IMHO) because the number of situations where it isn't beneficial is limited and the designers didn't think about them. Going purely RAW without putting any thought into the how or why isn't how the game is intended to be played.

1 . The DM describes the environment.

 

2 . The players describe what they want to do.

 

3 . The DM narrates the results of the adventurers' actions.

There is no 2 1/2 "The DM rigidly translates every word on the page."

Yes

When you 'learn to do' something that doesn't mean that you are forced to do it. The ability makes it clear that you are merging your ki to translate the message, and just because you know how to do that doesn't mean you are forced to do that.

The whole point of ki is control of one's self.

Generally beneficial abilities like this have absolute wording, most likely (IMHO) because the number of situations where it isn't beneficial is limited and the designers didn't think about them. Going purely RAW without putting any thought into the how or why isn't how the game is intended to be played.

1 . The DM describes the environment.

2 . The players describe what they want to do.

3 . The DM narrates the results of the adventurers' actions.

There is no 2 1/2 "The DM rigidly translates every word on the page."

Yes

When you 'learn to do' something that doesn't mean you are forced to do so. The ability makes it clear that you are merging your ki to translate the message, and just because you know how to do that doesn't mean you are forced to.

The whole point of ki is control of ones self.

Generally beneficial abilities like this have absolute wording, most likely imho because the amount of situations where it isn't beneficial is limited and the designers didn't think about them. Going purely RAW without putting any thought into the how or why isn't how the game is intended to be played.

1 . The DM describes the environment.

2 . The players describe what they want to do.

3 . The DM narrates the results of the adventurers' actions.

There is no 2 1/2. The DM rigidly translates every word on the page.

Yes

When you 'learn to do' something that doesn't mean that you are forced to do it. The ability makes it clear that you are merging your ki to translate the message, and just because you know how to do that doesn't mean you are forced to do that.

The whole point of ki is control of one's self.

Generally beneficial abilities like this have absolute wording, most likely (IMHO) because the number of situations where it isn't beneficial is limited and the designers didn't think about them. Going purely RAW without putting any thought into the how or why isn't how the game is intended to be played.

1 . The DM describes the environment.

2 . The players describe what they want to do.

3 . The DM narrates the results of the adventurers' actions.

There is no 2 1/2 "The DM rigidly translates every word on the page."