dialogue / translation

[fov]

You mentioned elsewhere that the dialogue was one of the last things to be written. I'm assuming it was written in German first?

I'm just curious about the translation process - did you (or someone else at HoT) translate the dialogue in-house? Was there any need to involve native English speakers as consultants? Any issues getting idioms / jokes / slang translated so that they still worked once they were translated?

-emily

[Martin Gantefoehr]

You mentioned elsewhere that the dialogue was one of the last things to be written. I'm assuming it was written in German first?

I'm just curious about the translation process - did you (or someone else at HoT) translate the dialogue in-house? Was there any need to involve native English speakers as consultants? Any issues getting idioms / jokes / slang translated so that they still worked once they were translated?

-emily

The dialogue was written in German, yes. I wish I could write it in English, because translation can always mean losses (and in any case loss of full creative control).

We handed it to a localization agency. They had eight translators working on the script, all native speakers, many of them New Yorkers. When we got the script it back, I sum checked it as good as I could, ironed out some bad-language issues (four letter words, you know...:))

[fov]

Eight translators! Wow, that's a lot. :) Good that there were some New Yorkers in the bunch. Was the voice talent for the English version also out of New York?

-emily

[Martin Gantefoehr]

You mentioned elsewhere that the dialogue was one of the last things to be written. I'm assuming it was written in German first?

I'm just curious about the translation process - did you (or someone else at HoT) translate the dialogue in-house? Was there any need to involve native English speakers as consultants? Any issues getting idioms / jokes / slang translated so that they still worked once they were translated?

-emily

The dialogue was written in German, yes. I wish I could write it in English, because translation can always mean losses (and in any case loss of full creative control).

We handed it to a localization agency. They had eight translators working on the script, all native speakers, many of them New Yorkers. When we got the script it back, I sum checked it as good as I could, ironed out some bad-language issues (four letter words, you know...:))

edit: Now that MOS is completed, we're considering to have a consultant on the team the next time around, who is not only English native, but also a writer. It's obvious that script translation problems can do great harm to a story-driven game.

[RLacey]

Incidentally, did you manage to fulfil the fundamental principle of voice-casting - that the main enemy in a game/film must have a posh, British voice?

[fov]

edit: Now that MOS is completed, we're considering to have a consultant on the tam the next time around, who is not only English native, but also a writer. It's obvious that script translation problems can do great harm to a story-driven game.

Does that person have to live in Germany...? :D

-emily (writer and native English speaker)

[Mattsius]

edit: Now that MOS is completed, we're considering to have a consultant on the tam the next time around, who is not only English native, but also a writer. It's obvious that script translation problems can do great harm to a story-driven game.
coughSteveIncecough

:D

EDIT: So, your nightly meetings at that Mercedes dealer's parking lot (http://forums.adventuregamers.com/showpost.php?p=86263&postcount=48) are finally paying off, eh? :P

[Martin Gantefoehr]

Does that person have to live in Germany...?

Actually, NOT living in Germany is an advantage. ;)

[jjacob]

Actually, NOT living in Germany is an advantage. ;)The Netherlands? :D Nah go with Incie!!

[Martin Gantefoehr]

Incie

I think I remember him saying that it must be spelled Incey. :D

Steve and I are in touch. You know, we have this occult secret society thing going on behind the scenes.

[Steve Ince]

I think I remember him saying that it must be spelled Incey. :D That's right. :)

Steve and I are in touch. You know, we have this occult secret society thing going on behind the scenes.I'm having a trouble getting the goat, Martin...

[timcclayton]

I'm having a trouble getting the goat, Martin...

Well, Steve, if you could remove the one from Broken Sword 1 and use that, I would be much obliged...

[Glenn Epic]

Well, Steve, if you could remove the one from Broken Sword 1 and use that, I would be much obliged...

Geeze I love that goat :D

[timcclayton]

Geeze I love that goat :D

*raises eyebrows*

[Steve Ince]

I think I've found the goat:

http://xbox.gamespy.com/xbox/star-wars-knights-of-the-old-republic-2/565256p1.html?fromint=1

[LauraMac]

I think I've found the goat:


Um hmmm ....

How do you know it didn't FIND you.... :shifty:
It knows where you live Steve...really.

[Steve Ince]

That would explain the startled look on the cat's face...

[LauraMac]

Ohh ..sigh,

So the Goat's revenge is at hand..

You'll be missed... much :\

Hmmm better chat up the goat, new order and all that.

[Steve Ince]

http://www.churchofsatan.com/Graphics/BaphoGal/Mendillo1lg.jpg

[LauraMac]

Thanks - now I have that pesky how to wow the new order thing neatly solved. A new door knocker!

[Lurcher]

Secret order? are you Druids?? or Templars??

[timcclayton]

Goatherders. :shifty:

[Mattsius]

Hmmm better chat up the goat, new order and all that.
You're right, let's sacrifice New_Order instead. :D