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Super excited for this! https://twitter.com/GnGMeets/status/1355523663215251457
The language of RPGs is a technical language, much like an engineering manual. How do you translate that to another language? Dice, especially with multiple sides? Shuffling cards? #SessionZeroOnline
A discussion about just how much influence English has in TTRPGs.
Given that both Maltese and English are official languages in Malta (with Maltese influenced by Arabic, English, & Italian), it's much harder to justify games in Maltese when most people here understand English.
Given that both Maltese and English are official languages in Malta (with Maltese influenced by Arabic, English, & Italian), it's much harder to justify games in Maltese when most people here understand English.
Discussion about language specific grammar and how difficult it is to translate this to English. Pronouns and heavily gendered languages, certain words or concepts that have no English equivalent. What do you do if you want to use these concepts in games?
Some of my favourite aspects of Maltese grammar: the dual (a separate plural for 2 objects), the diminutive form, and "nom mimmat": nouns derived from other nouns, verbs & adjectives.
All of these are tricky to translate to English!
All of these are tricky to translate to English!
The use of local words and language contain lots of nuances (that may be of cultural or religious origin) that can be lost in translation. We can't automatically assume that these nuances will be understood.
Who does English belong to? Though countries may have English as an official language, this doesn't necessarily mean that the use of English is the same (again, because of differences in culture).
An example that the panelists are bringing up is the word "dragon". Most people think of medieval and British depictions of a dragon, but dragons are depicted differently all over the world. Even within Europe there are differences in depictions of dragons, let alone!
The country's history and colonialism (and its depiction of this) also affects the language.
A local example is "knight". Malta was under the Knights of St John for over 250 years. Commonly depicted as heroic warriors, they actually oppressed the local population
A local example is "knight". Malta was under the Knights of St John for over 250 years. Commonly depicted as heroic warriors, they actually oppressed the local population
Interesting example of the word "vampire": not all blood suckers are vampires!
In Malta, we have our own versions of the Arabian jinn that are equated with devils/demons due to Malta's strong history of Catholicism. Some of our dragons are serpents & some spirits are helpful!
In Malta, we have our own versions of the Arabian jinn that are equated with devils/demons due to Malta's strong history of Catholicism. Some of our dragons are serpents & some spirits are helpful!
"As someone who grew up bilingual, I have no idea what it means to know only one language."
This is a very good point. Some contexts are better suited for one language than it is to another, so codeswitching is super common.
This is a very good point. Some contexts are better suited for one language than it is to another, so codeswitching is super common.
Interesting point: writing in English may be useful for people from the diaspora to connect to the local culture and mythology.
I have definitely seen this with a large chunk of Maltese diaspora, and it's part of the reason I publish in both English and Maltese!
I have definitely seen this with a large chunk of Maltese diaspora, and it's part of the reason I publish in both English and Maltese!
