As a Non-Native English Speaker This Game is the Most Hellish Game I Have Ever Played

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Harlot

Its not just that, often times other characters using harsh words where they could have easily use simpler words. Like take quintessential as an example. Where you can easily say essential they are making them say quintessential, like what is the point of that rather then making it hard to understand.

---

Quintessential and essential are two different words with two different meanings, that is why. Your mistake is thinking those two words mean the same thing. They do not.

'Essential' is when something is required, necessary or important. 'Quintessential' is when something is a perfect representation of a thing.

Flour is essential when making pancake batter. Not quintessential.

Rolex is the quintessential luxury timepiece. Not essential.

So, when you see the word 'quintessential', either in this game or elsewhere, it's because someone is trying to convey that specific idea to you - that something is quintessential. It's not because they are trying to be difficult, or complicate things unnecessarily when they could have just said, 'essential'.

"...well there's your problem."

But seriously, though, just chalk this up to English not being your native language. You have good command of it, but some things (like old English or less-common words) might still trip you up, which is completely OK. It's just all the more reason to continue studying the language.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Harlot

Yeah and because of that i couldn't understand most of the things happened in il mheg and i am pretty sure it had some crucial points for the story. And because of all of the reasons shadowbringer so far the worst expansion for me cause i can'T even begin to understand the story. I nearly find myself where i don't even want to watch cutscnes anymore, cause what is the point right, i don't understand anything anyway.

---

Non native speaker here. I just run the Il Mheg quests the other day and it's completely understandable. Even if you don't know the meaning of every single old english word you can still make the sense out of sentences.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Harlot

Yeah and because of that i couldn't understand most of the things happened in il mheg and i am pretty sure it had some crucial points for the story. And because of all of the reasons shadowbringer so far the worst expansion for me cause i can'T even begin to understand the story. I nearly find myself where i don't even want to watch cutscnes anymore, cause what is the point right, i don't understand anything anyway.

---

Sounds like a 'you' problem. I'm fine with it.

I’m also Non-native english speaker but Thanks to Fromsoftware sensei, I don’t have a problem with the dialogues.

Indeed, when speaking with the Scions, should the elezen scholar amidst their number choose to elucidate upon topics -- whether those be topics most profound or merely those steeped in the mundanities of life upon the firmament of this star -- his manner may oft-times journey on a path most loquacious, treading perilously close to the point of incomprehensibility, or perhaps even crossing beyond that dire border and marching onwards into linguistic realms yet uncharted until thine eyes glaze over.

(More seriously, I actually do love Urianger as a character, but his mannerisms are easily mocked; it sometimes feels like he's engaged in an illicit affair with his thesaurus. And I can see where for someone who already struggles a bit with English, his dialogue might feel exhausting to parse.)

Well I'm no nativ speaker but I think I understand the slangs and Dialects and Olde Stuff well enough to not miss out on the Story. Sure I could just switch over to German and be done with it.... but.... Yeah.... Have you read the German translation. It sounds so cheap.

I don't really see this as bad thing for the game to learn to some old english, I think its actually nice to learn some new words.

It expands your mind.

I understand your point OP. I just pass Urianger when he speaks. He never has anything important to say anyway :)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ZedxKayn

Isn't Urianger speaking like this specifically a quirk of the English localization?



It's perfectly normal to know modern, informal slang when you're not a native speaker but not formal older English.

Actually who is to determine what is "perfectly normal". I'm familiar with English slang to varying degrees going back through multiple generations. That's hardly atypical, and someone who majored in History or Literature or the Arts could probaby be bette than I am - or even someone who has particular hobbies.

Ngl this sounds awfully like you're implying that not understanding or speaking ye olde English is having the communicative capacities of a caveman.

---

Personally, I don't find any of the characters particularly hard to understand and I'm happy that they do have their individual flavours. I do understand that it would harder for a non-native English speaker, I would have the same issue reading (for example) a French novel written by Moliere. I would still not want his works converted to modern French .

LOL - As a non-native English speaker myself, I sympathize with your difficulties and annoyance with Urianger & Co. However I also enjoy reading or listening to his speeches, because they are so "colorful" and put me right in the RP mood of the game. The time it takes to parse what he's saying is well-spent, IMO, a bit of a respite from our normal running here and there completing yet another quest after another.

Incidentally, English is pretty amazing as a language, and its older versions are fascinating, from the sources it comes from and the directions it's taken over the years. Did you know that the term "Ye Olde English" is not even accurate? If you're interested, here's a little article that will set you thinking about this all over again. :-)

https://gizmodo.com/ye-olde-is-fake-...ing-1679780566

Cheers, and do enjoy the game. I myself *love* Urianger. :-)