Of languages and text (and use of DMFI)

[Avaz]

This may end up being a lengthy and slightly convoluted topic I've been mulling over for some time, so I ask for forgiveness from the get-go.

It is common knowledge that when a person is speaking in their native tongue, they use proper linguistic inflections, pronunciations, and pauses. However, when this same person speaks in a language that they are not well versed in - most especially when this second language uses a different base source of syllables and sounds - the person ends up speaking this second language with what we all recognize as an accent.

Now. When this concept is applied to written text, especially within the context of this game, it is within reason to say that a PC speaking in a certain language that is not his native language and that he is not proficient in, that PC would be speaking with an accent. Further, because different languages have differing sentence structures and syntax, translations sometimes get screwed up.

All fine and good so far. Dwarven, for instance, has lots of rolling R's and hard consonants like K's (KH's) and T's. So when a Dwarf speaks Common, it ends up being a verbal jumble of such coherency that almost requires concentration checks to understand correctly. Thusly:

A Dwarf, speaking Dwarven: "Good day to you, brother. What have you been up to today?"
A Dwarf, speaking Common: "Good dey tae ye, bruth'r. Wha' have ye bin up tae t'dey?"

Conversely, Elves, whose Elven language is musical and flowing with long-winded syllables and plenty of vowels, seem to have much less trouble transitioning to Common. I suspect this has much to do with the fact that Elven is by far more "compatible" so to speak with Common than Dwarven is. In other words, Elven has more syntax and structure patterns similar to Common.

So, coming to the core of my thoughts, I propose thus: When using DMFI to speak in your native tongue, don't type with accents. But when switching to Common - or another language that your PC hasn't mastered - feel free to accent things out as you see fit.

Hope this helps.

[AcadiusLost]

Have you tried speaking with accents via the DMFI dialogue box? I believe it actually causes some unhandled behaviour.

[JaydeMoon]

While I have always found it unnecessary to emote an accent when you are speaking in native tongues, for many players that's a very fun part of RPing and I would not feel compelled to deny them that pleasure.

[Avaz]

Have you tried speaking with accents via the DMFI dialogue box? I believe it actually causes some unhandled behaviour.

Yes, apostrophes aren't handled in DMFI. I was suggesting more mundane accents, like "there" and "thar", for instance.

[Zelknolf]

While I have always found it unnecessary to emote an accent when you are speaking in native tongues, for many players that's a very fun part of RPing and I would not feel compelled to deny them that pleasure.

Ah but then what happens when a character has spoken a language (say, dwarven) since he was a child and, thus, speaks without an accent when encountering completely unexplained accents from native speakers? The dwarves all look at him like he has a little extra anatomy on his forehead for noot speekin' lahk a dwarf; of course, the fluent fellow can't really correct a native speaker, and suddenly RP that may well be considered bad roleplaying by a player is being forced onto the player.

Bad business, sez me.

[Rotku]

My god, Zelknolf, that is so hard to read correctly. Short sentences are good.

[JaydeMoon]

Wait...

Wut?

[Avaz]

While I have always found it unnecessary to emote an accent when you are speaking in native tongues, for many players that's a very fun part of RPing and I would not feel compelled to deny them that pleasure.

Ah but then what happens when a character has spoken a language (say, dwarven) since he was a child and, thus, speaks without an accent when encountering completely unexplained accents from native speakers? The dwarves all look at him like he has a little extra anatomy on his forehead for noot speekin' lahk a dwarf; of course, the fluent fellow can't really correct a native speaker, and suddenly RP that may well be considered bad roleplaying by a player is being forced onto the player.

Bad business, sez me.

I think I'm wrong on this point, but are you arguing the same point as Jayde? I'm confuzzlified.

[Rotku]

No, I think he's supporting you.

To put it simply:

When a dwarf who RPs his native tounge as Avaz suggests, meets a dwarf who RPs his native tounge "lahk a dwarf", as Zelk put it, the latter may consider the former bad RPing, forcing the former into speaking dwarven "lahk a dwarf".