Your Feedback Sought: Localization

Hi, there,

As we continue to examine Prophecies and Factions for possible improvements, and as we move forward into Campaign 3, we want to ask your thoughts on the localization of our games. Do you have feedback on words or phrases, or do you have localization suggestions that you would like to share with us? We are asking about this matter in a few English-language forums since we are aware that many of our players are bi-lingual or multi-lingual. We hope that you will share your thoughts about this vital subject here, in addition to the non-English forums on which you may also post.

If you have comments you'd like to make, please let us know. We prefer specifics over general statements. For instance, if you read a mission description that is confusing, could you write the existing text and your suggestions for improvement? If you find that a certain phrase is used in a manner that you feel is incorrect, would you share that phrase with us, along with what you feel would be preferred phrasing? When you have a word in mind that is just perfect for a certain use, could you let us know that comment?

Any help you can give us with this important issue is greatly appreciated! Thank you, in every language!

Gaile is asking for specific things involving the localization of Guild Wars. Do not come in here with a laundry list of changes you want made, as I am sure ANet is aware of the popular suggestions involving changes in the game.

Post in this thread if you have some specific text in-game that you think wasn't translated correctly, or could use a better translation.

I'm sorry, by localization, I thought she meant things that should be specific to US servers in general..you can delete my post.

Oh, sorry for the confusion. It was only recently that I learned the word "localization." I had thought that anything involved with changing verbiage from one language to another was "translation." But according to my sources, localization is designed to not only literally translate the words, but make them more sensible and more appropriate for the culture involved. Localization specialists are very talented people who work with words on several levels.

So yes, I do mean the words in the game. Thanks for the clarification!

I think this feedback is very important. I think that in order to keep the discussions focused, and to give them the best level of attention, we really need two threads: One on localization (that is, translation from English into other languages) and one on the in-game text in English, for those instances where you see inconsistencies or confusing language.

I'll start that second thread, calling it "Your Feedback Sought: English" and if you can move your comments on the English-language content there, I'd be very grateful!

Thanks so much for your willingness to go above and beyond and help with two projects instead of just one!

One thing I recently noticed in the German localisation (I am native German, but I usually play the game in English) is that all titles are displayed in their female form.

In English it doesn't matter whether the person is male or female, the title would always be "Treasure Hunter" (for example). In German this is different. A male person would be "Schatzjäger", a female person "Schatzjägerin". Currently everyone with that title is called "Schatz-Jägerin" (note that you normally would write it as one word, too, not with a hyphen), even male characters. The same applies to all other titles.

Is that the kind of feedback you had in mind?

Exactly what she is looking for.

Alot of Chinese translation are actually a bit off.

One example that came to mind immediately is when Mhelno said

"I don't know about you, but I didn't come all the way to Cantha to attend a funeral"

While Chinese version would translate into

"I don't who you are, but I didn't come all the way to Cantha to attend a funeral"

It should have been translate into

"I don't know what will you do, but I didn't come all the way to Cantha to attend a funeral"

(Although in the end... we had to attend Togo's funeral anyway)

This may be a tad off-topic but GJ Gaile, we all like to see initiative and it is wondeful to see it being taken. If I had any problems with "localization" of this game, then I would definitly make a note of it. But seeing how I can't find any I will not note any.

I do remember a rather odd skill description(in english) qich was just totally off-base it was kinda silly, yet the description and skill name elude my mind.

but anyway like I said GJ

I would request that the English language be used for the English version of the game, rather than american, which despite what some may think, is NOT English.

EDIT: See my comment below. -Swampgirl

But, America SHOULD and is slowly being persuaded to making English to dominate language.

Do a little research, stores around the country are starting to put signs up about treating English-Speaking customers. Etc etc etc.

Let's not bring the...Political aspect of the outside world into a game.


EDIT: See my comment below. -Swampgirl

EDIT: Let's keep this on topic and provide Gaile with feedback, please. If you want to discuss other things, PM the person you wish to talk to. -Swampgirl

I think the first priority when comes to each language options is to ensure all of their skill descriptions are accurate.

Chinese is my first language and I play Guild Wars with language set to Chinese. Most of the skill descriptions are accurate, just a few needs to have their descriptions rewritten. I just checked my PvE Me/A (based on what skills is in her skill inventory) for skill translation errors:

Major examples:
Unnatural Signet - Chinese description: "If target foe is a spirit, Unnatural Signet recharges 80% faster" - which doesn't match against its english description "If target foe is a spirit, Unnatural Signet recharges instantly"
Crippling Dagger - Chinese: "target foe takes x damage and becomes crippled if it hits". English: "Target foe takes x damage if it hits, and cripples moving foes for x seconds". Fails to indicates that only moving foes, not stationary ones, will be crippled when it hits
Accumulated pain: Chinese: "If target foe is suffering more than 2 hexes"; English: "If target foe is suffering 2 or more hexes". Main difference: What if targe foe is suffering from exactly 2 hexes? According to chinese description it would take 3 hexes to trigger...

Minor examples
Shadow Form: Indicates something as "When Shadow Form ends, you only have 41 health remaining". What if your current hp < 41 before it ends?
Channelling: Says "you steal 1 energy from each foe in the area" - this is not mana steal, just mana gain...
Illusion of weakness: Doesn't indicates that you have to actually take damage to trigger the effect.
Illusionary Weapon - description is confusing and should be rewritten. Current translation indicates "your melee damage ignores armor, and damage is 34 instead"
Arcane Conumdrum - Chinese: "target foe's casting time increases by 2 times of normal"!?

And the "quick language toggle" with the right ctrl key is really handy...

I would like to see more Canadian spelling.
Seriously, having to consciously substitute the extra consonants and vowels detracts from things.


Thank you for that lovely spoiler. Please consider in the future that there are people who haven't had the time to get as far in the game as you have who are reading the forums as well. -_-

tehe...
Thats right! We software localisers like to say that so we get payed better. :P

Seriously now, there IS a big difference between simple translation and real localization.

On the german version:
I would generally rate the text localization as "good" and the synchronization as "satisfactory".

Often (especially with skills) the translation is just too literal.
That gives odd results sometimes.

The german translation also lacks coherence.
An example: Wards are translated as "Abwehr ..." except the new Ward of Stability which got the name "Schutzkreis..."

Hi to all,
The point indicated by "eightyfour-onesevenfive" is also applicable to French. Some title (haven't seen all of them ) do not respect the gender of the hero having said title.
Best regards.

It's present in every localization of the game, like in italian.

Example
In English
Male & Female: Terrifying Hero
In Italian
Male: Eroe Spaventoso
Female: Eroina Spaventosa
(I think that a better localization for the term "Terrifying" is "Terrificante", not "Spaventoso/a")

But at the moment all characters get the female form, for each title.


Anyway I've already reported this "bug" at our local translator through the official italian fansite.

Hi all,

The title gender problem is the same at the spanish version. It doesnt respect the gender of the holder.


Regards,

" I have Icy Ground on me "

I think the "on me" sounds wrong.

I would suggest..

" I am suffering from x " where x is a negative hex or condition
" I am enhanced by x " where x is an enchantment or spell
" I am effected by x " where x is a skill effect like frenzy or endure pain.

Its very picky I know and only something minor, but it might be the kind of thing your looking for?

Oh yes, you're so right! "I have Bleeding on me!" Lol?

This is the wrong thread, though. But then, the same issue probably still exists in many localisations (didn't bother to check yet).

Great thing this call for better localisation!
Hello Gaile,
helle there!
I'm using the German language version of GW.
What I noticed is, that the names of the boss-monsters (and a row of friendly NPCs as well) are often not translated but sometimes they are.
For a simple example Maak Frostfriend (found in Witmans Torheit) is not been translated to Maak Frostfreund.
Since it would be a lot work to list all of untranslated boss-monster and NPCs names and provide an suggestion for translation (a couple of guys from a german forum and me could do it) I want to question you, Gaile, first wether this translation of names would be for good to an avail.
Is there a chance it would be realesed in the coming updates?
Best regards

This feedback is excellent. Coupled with the commentary in the other thread on your suggestions for improvements to English language text, we're looking forward to making positive changes. This also helps us as we prepare for the localization of C3 and future campaigns.

So thank you and keep the feedback coming!!

This game needs a 1337sp33k version and Bork Bork ! voiceovers.

Seconded. Maybe we could even go as far as giving the 1337 their own Halls region?

German GW:
I stumbled over this:
In English there are the items
"Decayed Orr Emblem(s)"
Currently these are mistranslated as "Rott-Orremblem(e)".
I suggest this: "Verrottetes Orr-Emblem" (sing.) and "Verrottete Orr-Embleme" (plural)
Greetings

Quite... The colour of your armour, eh? I would be ecstatic if such a thing were to happen, but since in all likelihood the large majority of English-speaking players is American, implementing dialectic versions of the languages might be prohibitively costly or time-consuming. And why stop there? The same situation exists in probably most of the other languages. One would end up with British vs American vs Canadian vs Australian English, or Metropolitan vs Quebecois French, or, or, or, and so on.

I think you'll find there are two main groups. British English, and American. People in America use American English, naturally, and everywhere else uses what is for most intents and purposes British English. This includes Australia, New Zealand, and former colonies who use it as a second language like India. Canada uses a hybrid, they kept many British spellings, but due to the location many Americanisms appear. I think places like France and other European nations prefer to learn British spellings, although I was shocked when I went to a German school on an exchange programme to see how they were learning American English, and they didn't understand me using expressions like 'lift' for 'elevator', 'chips' for 'fries' and 'crisps' for 'chips' (had so much confusion over that one).

So don't presume that American English is so unanimous and learn a bit about places outside of your own country. It is ubiquitous yes, but not unanimous. Unless you have exact figures of how many using the English interface live in America, I don't think you can say for sure that the difference would be huge.

That's not to say these places don't have their own versions of English (such as Australian English), but the main differences are a few alternative words, which wouldn't make a difference to something like Guild Wars, and the occasional Americanization of some spellings, but nothing that probably wouldn't be true in Britain as well, for example 'organise' vs 'organize', nobody would care in Britain, they are pretty much interchangeable. Even within Britain there are regional dialects that are quite different in more than just accent.

American spellings are becoming common for new technology etc, but again, that is everywhere, for example 'program' instead of 'programme'. The main gripe, for which it wouldn't be hard to localize and add a British English option, is for things like 'armour', 'colour', 'grey'. Would it really be so hard to just replace every occurrence of words like these for a British English option?

as a non-primary-English-speaking European gamer, I strongly support the idea of a British English GW.

It's not exactly the topic, however I'd like to point out - sorry about that - the low quality of the french translation of GW. I have the french version of the game - I switched to the english version (thanks ANET, for letting us choose the language btw) a few days after having purchased the game. The french translation (and the translation in other languages?) is not wrong scricto sensu, however it seems to have been translate by a 12 years old american boy fluent in french, using a dictionary to find a translation of the few words he didn't know. Sorry if it sounds rude, it's not meant to be.

I mean... the dialogs mean the same thing in fench and in english, however the french version uses the vocabulary of a 12 years old boy. There is also the problem of many words I never heard before (I have one example in mind: "winnowing" translated by "vannage" - I know winnow is not an usual word in english, but I doubt even 0.1% of the french population had heard the word "vannage" before). The way of translating the name of the weapons sounds also really weird. Adjectives such as "surrending" or "elbon" do not exist in french, so they had to find a side-way - "Firey longbow of fortitude" for example is translated in french by "longbow of fortitude (of fire)" - don't tell me it sounds right...

I don't think my post will help much - I'm only giving a few examples to illutrate this, but it's an oportunity to let you know. I don't know if the translation of Factions is better - I never went back to the french version - hopefully it is. Maybe players having played the game both in english and in german or italian or spanish could post if they have the same feeling with other languages...

Just make sure you never make an American District-Espanol.
Nuf said from me.

I like to say about the use of "then" instead of "than" in many of the English texts in the game. It is confusing for non-Americans like us Filipinos

We understand that the American English sounds differently, so with that, we are not blaming or pointing at anyone here.

So to the issue, the case is about this:
used in a phrase:
"Other then" should be "other than". ^_^

Anyway, just a heads up, I'm still compiling my reports about it then I'll send it via email

Yes, me too. For some strange reason it has always burned me to see "Favor" instead of "Favour". Meh, I'm a whine. I managed to convert a Dutch friend to saying "colour", favour" etc due do gentle, persistent nagging.

I also think that: "I have Bleeding on me" sounds a bit 'off' and those conditions could be changed to "I'm suffering from Bleeding/Disease/Deep Wound/Dazed" etc.

As for hexes, "I have Conjure Phantasm on me" sounds a bit more realistic but "I am hexed with Conjure Phantasm" sounds normal.

Wow, this thread is way over my head since I only speak English, and then as if it was a second language. I am pleased to see a thread like this all the same. Although, I would worry less about subtle translation errors and more about the content quality of the future chapters.

OMG, I think I stopped this post dead in its tracks. Or else no one is still awake.

Regarding localization: whatever you do, do NOT make Guildwars default to the settings implied by Windows locality preferences or, even worse, the IP number.

Nothing annoys me more than annoying localization like, say, Googles insistance that if your IP shows you're in, say, Sweden or Hungary, then the Google interface always defaults to Swedish or Hungarian.

Just have English the default, make other languages an option/preferences.
I know this is how it works now, please PLEASE don't change that in an attempt to have GW be 'smart' about localization!

EDIT: Other than that, it's like Kurt says: users in non-English speaking countries are normally quite used to bizarre localization, and will take minor language errors in their stride.

If you're going to have English as the default, well for me it is, then please at least use the correct English spellings. A few bugbears of mine:-

Gladiator's/Bonetti's Defense should be Gladiator's/Bonetti's Defence!

The same for Expose Defenses!

People don't have Favor of the Gods, they have Favour!

There is no Strength of Honor! It is infact, Strength of Honour!

Please! I'm getting sick and tired of games claiming to be in English and then using some bastardised US spelling. Not major you may think, well it is to us over here in England who speak the language and gave it to the World.

I admit I was under the impression that the most common language spoken in most of the US was called 'English'.

However, the british may have given English to the world, but they're also the ones who mangle it the worst. Actual spoken British English, outside the studios of BBC, is a guttural pidgin-like collection of sounds, half of which, mercifully, are swallowed, not spoken. Even southerners don't do as much violence on the language as the British routinely do.

That is all a matter of perspective, Numa. I understand the Brits better than I understand a lot of Yankies.

Gaile, in all honesty, the main problem I have with the English version is that the US has neglected a couple of verb forms and other constructions over the years in an effort to make the language "simpler". There are times that I have to read the quest log several times over to figure out what is actually going on.

Despite what some people have said, there are significant differences between "Microsoft" English and British English, and it isn't just limited to individual words.

I'm happy with it as is... and this thread reminds me of a Monty Python skit:

Hungarian: I will not buy this record, it is scratched.
Clerk: Sorry?
Hungarian I will not buy this record, it is scratched.
Clerk: Uh, no, no, no. This is a tobacconist's.
Hungarian: Ah! I will not buy this *tobacconist's*, it is scratched.
Clerk: No, no, no, no. Tobacco...um...cigarettes (holds up a pack).
Hungarian: Ya! See-gar-ets! Ya! Uh...My hovercraft is full of eels.
Clerk: Sorry?
Hungarian: My hovercraft (pantomimes puffing a cigarette)...is full of eels
(pretends to strike a match).
Clerk: Ahh, matches!
Hungarian: Ya! Ya! Ya! Ya! Do you waaaaant...do you waaaaaant...to come
back to my place, bouncy bouncy?
Clerk: Here, I don't think you're using that thing right.
Hungarian: You great poof.
Clerk: That'll be six and six, please.
Hungarian: If I said you had a beautiful body, would you hold it against
me?
I...I am no longer infected.
Clerk: Uh, may I, uh...(takes phrase book, flips through it)...Costs six
and six...ah, here we are. (speaks weird Hungarian-sounding
words)
Hungarian punches the clerk.

Meanwhile, a policeman (Graham Chapman) on a quiet street cups his ear as if
hearing a cry of distress. He sprints for many blocks and finally enters the
tobacconist's.

Cop: What's going on here then?
Hungarian: Ah. You have beautiful thighs.
Cop: (looks down at himself) WHAT?!?
Clerk: He hit me!
Hungarian: Drop your panties, Sir William; I cannot wait 'til lunchtime.
(points at clerk)
Cop: RIGHT!!! (drags Hungarian away by the arm)
Hungarian: (indignantly) My nipples explode with delight!

In French, when you are absent for 1 day the guild window show : "1jourS"
and when you are absent for more than one day it show "2joursS"

it should be "1 jour" and "2 jours"

Example :