@sigh
 
I guess there is tat, was trying to keep it simple and straight-forward in developing this crossover but I may be splitting hairs. Right now I am honestly thinking about ChopperShy: Rule 63 style (at least a one shot):
 
Toni Toni Chappy and ButterScotch…

@IrieMangaStudios  
Personally I just imagine it’s that she can understand them if they’re intelligent enough to talk to her, but the level of intelligence determines how well the translation gets across. I imagine stress on the part of the animal is also a factor, things like Angel in Swarm of the Century or the Gala animals were examples of poor communication because either the animal was exhausted from running or the animals themselves just weren’t interested in speaking, most people attribute this to either fear on their part or just being trained by the guards to not go near the ponies when they go into the gardens.

@sigh
 
It seems like they never gave a direct assessment of Flutters ability to talk to animals. They either understand her directions, she has empathetically understand them but now in season three and four, she can talk directly to them and understand what they are talking about, while in the first two seasons she had problems understanding Angel Bunny and the Gala’s animals. As well as the comic having an issue where she and Zecora are dealing with animals talking directly to Fluttershy and the like.
 
My Headcanon has been thus far: chopper could understand and translate animal barks/growls/etc. as forms of communication since he was a “normal” reindeer before eating the devil fruit. Fluttershy has an emotional bond with animals (reading gestures, expressions, mood) to get a good idea of what they are getting across. Not sure where the writers are going with if Fluttershy can communicate with animals like Chopper or just know how they feel.

Translator?