Nationality and Language in PWI

It's an international game, people can speak whatever language they want :P Usually people are able to communicate basic things via google translate or other means about what they need. Doesn't bother me at all.

My first language is not english. It has never occurred to me that my poor english has caused anyone to be "pulled back to reality and thus experienced a diminished role-playing experience". I was rather astonished at this way of seeing things. Maybe a little bit offended too? b:laugh

Anyway, I would like to add a question to this topic if I may. For those of you who do not speak english as the first language, how does communicating in a foreign language affect your gameplay? Do you feel at a disadvantage when you play, or do you see it as a challenge? Are you, like me, frustrated because you lack the ability to express your wishes, your ideas, your feelings as fluently, as precisely as you would usually do?

It is when I want to express gratitude, a feeling of friendship, or joy over a well accoplished boss hunt that my vocabulary really seems to be limited.

I envy those of you who really have a good command of the english language, and can use it as a precise tool to make friends or foes.

Tide_Surfer - Archosaur wrote: »

I speak english but I'm from New Zealand, born and raised and still live here haha(I'm 15 >_>) It impacts on how I'm treated in PWI with the lack of New Zealand citizens on PWI, some people think it's rather cool but some just call me a sheep shagger >_>b:cryb:laugh

Wanna chup 'bro?b:laugh
Come to LC, we can discuss New Zealandy stuff togetherb:surrender

Currant - Dreamweaver wrote: »

When you meet someone who can't speak English very well, how does it make you feel?

Anxious, especially if they're playing the role of a Tank/Cleric. Communication with those two and the squad in general is always important (knowing how much they plan to pull or whether they've got Chi, if it's their first time running that zone, ect).

Do you feel that someone speaking a foreign language might pull you back to reality and thus diminish your role-playing experience?

*Firing Head-Canon*
Different settlements in this world seem to speak different languages, despite much of the mainland speaking in Common. While that language is most often spoken for the sake of communication with other races, it is said that each race has their own ancient tongue (and variations of that among different tribes or groups - some of which are modernized with usage of some Common) that they can speak as a means of communication with each other when secrecy is required, or even for regular conversation. Ive observed this during my visits to the nomads in Sandsong and those in the cold North.

One of my companions also stated that to be the case of her hometown of Misfortune, and another also confirmed that while he was held captive by the Swiftwind natives.

However, some warriors rarely ever leave their homeland's borders, and in such cases, they do not see a need to learn Common...that makes things really complicated when they're sent on missions abroad (due to a lack of man-power overall thanks to this war) and they're forced to work with those who do not speak their native tongue.

Generally speaking, it has no effect on my experience, as long as there is still some understanding between us when we're working together.

Do you feel more inclined to help that player, as they might find it difficult to navigate a game that is not in their native language?

No, unless they ask for help.
(and I understand what they're asking)

Currant - Dreamweaver wrote: »

Good evening, PWI forums

I was feeling particularly ponderous this evening and I'd thought I'd share with you all. I'm curious about how nationality and language influence your experience of PWI. When you meet someone who can't speak English very well, how does it make you feel? Do you feel that someone speaking a foreign language might pull you back to reality and thus diminish your role-playing experience? Do you feel more inclined to help that player, as they might find it difficult to navigate a game that is not in their native language? I guess what I'm asking is: Can/Does nationality and language play a role in your experience of PWI? If so, why?

I'd also like to take a moment to dissuade anyone who would from making racist comments. Let's keep it clean, people...okay? b:victory

StellaNova - Raging Tide wrote: »

seitori@

At least your officers where spread out in diffrent timezone, in my mind it could make it easier to keep at one officer online, when members from the different zones was online. Funny thing you mention a dane, as i'm from Denmark my self.

Language keept me on english speaking server when I started here, thought the EU servers was pure german or french speaking, my german is bad and french..... ehh idk french at all (Language lol), so jumped on RT. Never had the big problems with language there, only going WHAT a few times if ppl spoke portoguese or something like russian or polish. Even played with a few ppl speaking English and Japanese, was quite fun trying to learn a bit of it

You should be asking how many people treat this game as a true role-playing game in the first place. I know there are factions on Sanctuary - or were, at least - who take the RPG in MMORPG very seriously, but I believe that right about now, the majority of players see this game as a somewhat elaborate chat interface that allows you to do a few random things - like a BH, instance, whatever - while you talk with your friends.

Furthermore... unless you turn off World Chat, the whole "role-playing" factor goes right out of the window, anyway. "WTS/WTT, LOL, u suck, LFM, etc", some emo quoting random emo songs and the flame fests don't really lend themselves well to creating a true RP atmosphere.

That's just my two cents.

To answer your questions....

When you meet someone who can't speak English very well, how does it make you feel?

English isn't my first language, either. I will admit that I'm generally a little more lenient toward second or third language English speakers, unless they make a total loon of themselves, which doesn't truly require any language skills at all, only a lack of playing skills, and I'll extend that to knowing how to play in a team.

Do you feel that someone speaking a foreign language might pull you back to reality and thus diminish your role-playing experience?

Does not apply to me; if I want the "true" RP experience, I'll break out the pen and paper, or go play single-player games. I do love PWI, the world, the quests, the story line, but I've never truly been able to immerse myself in online games the way I can in a single-player.

Do you feel more inclined to help that player, as they might find it difficult to navigate a game that is not in their native language?

It depends. Time is something of an issue for me, considering I work 10 hours a day and have other things to do than just park myself in front of the computer - although I'd dearly love to - and if I find that I'm hitting a language barrier where even the simplest communication isn't possible, I'm not going to break out Google Translator. I generally will try to help people no matter what language they speak, but sometimes it would be better if those people who only have a rudimentary or no understanding of the English language found players who speak their language and have them explain things to them, provided those other players have a firmer grasp on English.

I know this doesn't endorse a true mingling of cultures. However, I don't speak Spanish, or Russian, or Greek, or [...]. What good would I be to, say, someone from Russia, if I need an online translator to even understand what they're saying, nevermind trying to explain something to them in a language I don't speak? If they don't know at least a few words of a language we both speak, so that basic communication is possible, we'd just be two monkeys throwing phrases at each other, and be none the wiser in the end.

I guess what I'm asking is: Can/Does nationality and language play a role in your experience of PWI? If so, why?

Nationality plays no role for me at all. An idiot is an idiot no matter what country they're from. Likewise, there are nice people all over the globe, no matter where they were born.

Language does play a role, mostly in a squad setting. I do feel somewhat uncomfortable if I'm the only [example] non-Spanish speaker in a squad of six, and we're doing an instance, and no one talks to me. My main's a cleric, and I need to be able to communicate with at least the tank, or anyone who can tell me what the strategy is they want to use. I need to know if they want me to BB, or IH, or DD; likewise, if I start yelling about "BB RANGE" I expect others to know I want them to move their squishy butts back toward my shiny bubble [or die, and I'll res them when I can].

That said, the worst squads are the ones where no one talks at all, and everyone expects everyone else to magically know what we're all doing. I'll take a "bb here" or a "ih" or even a "buff/DD/res plz" over that any day.

/tangent

seitori wrote: »

It really doesn't bug me that much at all ~ Too see the (multiple languages) returning at all...


But I've been on, since pretty much the beginning (so I knew what it was like when it was only (({PWc} (Orginal~PW) // {PWm} (Malaysia) // (and for the rest of us) {PWi}))


Back then, the population was incredibly diverse... My (1st Guild) I ever made Had over (11 Nationalities) & atleast (5+Spoken languages) Over multiple Global Timezone areas, in its hundred members list

And let me tell you, LOLZzzz!!!


If you thought it sucked too appoint Officers for your factions now, you shoulda seen what a pain it was too appoint them then?!!:

(b:shocked)

"I had a 'Director' from Denmark ~ 'Marshals' from Singapore, Chile, Austria & Greece ~ And 'Executors' from all over the place, Like: Russia, France, England, Germany, Sweden, Australia, Nigeria, Brazil & Argentina"

(b:embarrass)


Godzz!! Its no wonder I got (Faction leader Burnout) as quick as I did back then! And still avoid any serious leadership positions too this day! LMAOOoooo!!!!

But on the brighter side of the news! We always had at the very least '20 members' (active & online) at all times back then, so atleast everyone could find faction help for Quests & Zhenning, at all times (back then).... Even if the Population was dependent on the (Multi-Lingual) officers, too help them understand each other (even in the slightest bit) ROFLMAOOooo



Its too bad That after I resigned my position, that the director had a major meltdown (within the year) while trying too keep it (up & running) like I myself had been trying too do for so long; and then Booted everyone else from the faction one day (Totally killing it outta existence & into utter extinction) oh well...

b:surrender

People who type/spell/talk like this quoted post are far worse than any illiterate person on the game itself.

Jhalil - Heavens Tear wrote: »

People who type/spell/talk like this quoted post are far worse than any illiterate person on the game itself.

Well I needed some way to get your attention now didn't I???

LOL!!!

Now Don't you feel just so special now!!!b:dirtyb:chuckleb:pleased