Локализация и перевод

Опубликовано Новикова Татьяна Геннадьевна вкл 24.02.2024 - 5:30

Автор:

Гладких Антон

People spend their free time doing different things. Some of them like listening to music, others prefer doing sports but playing computer games is getting more and more popular hobby among people of different ages.

I interviewed pupils of my class and their parents if they like playing computer games or not and if they know what localization is. 28 people took part in my interview. 19 people like playing computer games, 18 out of them don’t know what localization is and 24 don’t now difference between localization and translation.

I think that the question of a quality approach to localization of video games is very important nowadays.

Скачать:

Вложение	Размер
lokalizatsiya_i_perevod_-_angliyskaya_versiya.docx	402.97 КБ

Предварительный просмотр:

Municipal Budget Comprehensive School

Gymnasium named after Z.Kosmodem’yanskaya

Chegdomyn

Verkhnebureinsky District of Khabarovsky krai

English language department

Project

«Localization and translation in computer games»

Fulfilled by: Glagkikh A.S.,

pupil of the 9 «А» form

checked by: Novikova T.G.,

English language teacher

Chegdomyn, 2021

Content

	Pages
Introduction.	3
1. Localization and translation. Definition of the concepts. 1.1. The difference between localization and the translation. 1.2. Types of localization. 1.3. Stages of localization. 1.4. Localization in other fields.	4 5 6
2. Problems of localization.	7
3. The result of my project.	9
Conclusion.	10
Sources of information	11
Added files	12

Introduction

I think that the question of a quality approach to localization of video games is very important nowadays.

The urgency of this investigation is to prove the necessity of theoretical and practical knowledge in quality doing of video games localization.

The aim of my paperwork is detection and description of the main features and difficulties of the video games localization and also giving examples of such mistakes.

Tasks:

- clarify the difference between the translation and localization;

- study the theoretical material about features and difficulties of the video games localization process, and its main types;

- present my paper work in the foreign languages department; share my achievements with teachers and students;

-give example of my own video games localization

Methods of investigation:

search of information

interviewing and review of results

summary of my paper work

Object of investigation: video games

Subject of investigation — the process of video game localization

The results of my project- examples of video game localization

Type of the project: Individual; Long-term (4 months)

1. Localization and translation. Definition of concepts.

In this stage of my paperwork I have read and studied information from different sources about the localization process.

Localization is the translation and the cultural adaptation of the product to the features of the country, region or the group of people. It includes much more than we can imagine. For the right localization we need to know special purpose and the culture of this country, region or the group of people. Then the program (game, book or film) will be right adopted and understood by the customer.

The translation means both the process of translation and the written or spoken text itself. Sometimes the interpreters can allow themselves to translate the text word by word.

1.1. The difference between localization and the translation.

Let’s determine what are the typical features of the translation and localization.

While by the localization idiom must be changed in the similar, which will be clear for people. Other words the localization and translation have different aims. By the first it must be given the main sense with many details which can influence on the product; by the second it must be given the meaning of the text or post.

It is much harder to localize colloquial materials because we study Standard English language at schools. We can notice these difficulties spoken with the native speakers. When the new English speaker says: Sir, please give me some salt, the native speaker can say Dude, gimmie salt….(«Чел, кинь соль»).“

One more example of localization is: America’s favourite street food (like taco or burrito) gets into pirozhki, belyashi or cheburek is in Russia. The street food of one country was localized into the street food of another one. It is easier to find these dishes in the streets of Russia than burrito or taco.

	Literary translation	Localization
Taking into account of culture features	–	+
Taking into account of law features	–	+
Translation of stylistic features	+	+
Joke’s adaptation	+	+

1.2. Types of localization.

Game localization is relatively a new industry and there are not enough theoretical materials connected with this topic. It has specific features and some specific difficulties. Many people think that game localization is not much different from the translation of the text. However localizing of a game means not only translate its content into another language, but it also means we must make it closer to the country or region where it will be distributed.

According to the degree of depth localization can be classified in the following types:

Type of localization	Specific features
Boxed localization	If the game is released on a physical medium or is sold offline we translate the information on the packaging. If the game is released on the internet platform, then we translate the information on the packaging and the store page is localized: description and screen shots.
Localization of Interface	Description, packaging and interface, help page, names of buttons and other things will be translated. It is uneasy to play such a game because the player will press the button “play” in Russian but the game itself will be in another language. Such type of localization is often seen.
Text localization	All texts in the game are translated. Example —GTA V. On the one hand, this game is fully translated down to subtitles and you can listen to slang of some nationalities . On the other hand, you can red subtitles in Russian. But thanks to this type of localization, we can understand different slangs that are shown in the game.
Localization with film scoring(dubbing)	Speech and dialogues are translated and dubbing by Russian actors. If localization is done in a good quality, it is easily taken.
Graphic localization	Any game has its own design, graphic objects, textures — everything not a text itself. Take for example the inscription on the wall in the shooter. Graphic localization implies that all inscriptions inside must be translated. It may be newspapers, names of the shops and so on….

Localization of computer games is significantly different from simple localization.

First of all, the localization process begins in parallel with the development of computer game’s plot. That’s why agencies of localization always keep in touch with their clients to upgrade the games and to do localization in short period of time.

1.3. Stages of localization.

Localization has different stages, such as

Translation of an owner’s manual for users;
Localization of Interface;
Plot translation;
Dubbing;
Graphic localization;
Preparation an owner’s manual for publication;
Testing and final quality control[1]

1.4. Localization in other fields.

This process is connected with different fields, such as literature, cinema and music.

Fields	Influence
literature	Some computer games may include elements of scientific, casual or artistic literary genres and we can compare them with sort stories. They have their own story line and main characters
cinema	Using the films elements which tell the players the storyline of the game
music	helps to involved players in the game, amplify the realism of the game. Example: in one of the Atari game the original soundtrack was changed into Japanese rock music according the tastes of players.
IT- sphere	The literary translation interties with the technical part. Example: QA process helps to avoid mistakes and bags

The typical features of the localizer’s job looks like the interpreter’s job, which do subtitles and dubbing for films.

[1] https://cspsid-gelios.ru/yazykovaya-lokalizaciya-ponyatie-lokalizacii-v-mezhyazykovom-i-vnutriyazykovom.html © cspsid-gelios.ru

The main attention of the game localizers is focused on of the main impression of the game while the IT translators think more about the convenience of the product according to wishes and habits of the users.

2. Problems of localization

Let’s have a look at the most interesting part of my work- studying of the localization problems and creating of my own product. Localizers use different methods to do their work properly and the most successfully.

Problem 1. Specific vocabulary.

War and sport genres need more accuracy and work with specific dictionaries. Role and theme games are more creative and it makes the process of localization more interesting but harder. Names of the heroes, locations and other different things affect the perception of virtual reality of players; amplify the realism of the game. That’s why the localizer must put his attention to these moments by the translation in depth. Sometimes the difficulties with wordplay may arise. Characters may have dialects, make mistakes intend. In such cases localizers may use the methods of consideration or simply miss some details that lead to the content’s loss. Phrases often are given without context though their meanings may be absolutely different.

Problem 2. Large texts and language differences.

If the text is rather large developers often use text plates and fields without language differences. And sometimes they need to translate the sentences and find them necessary place in the game at the same time.

Problem 3. Temporary data.

Another problem is connected with the temporary data which the gamer choose at the beginning (name, nationality, sex, occupation and so on). Difficulties may appear with words endings, sounds. For example, phrase « has attacked you» its translation « атаковал (атаковала) вас». The phrase in English has no gender but in Russian this phrase may have two versions of translation. Often the interpreters use their intuition to localize these moments.

Problem 4. Changes according to plot.

Different games have different types of texts (dialogues, interfaces, story lines) and the situation may change according to the plot. Some of the talks may be illogical and it is not easy to find the right connection between questions and answers in the game.

3. The results of my project.

I’ve noticed some interesting examples of localization in different videos.

I’ve made my own film and would like to comment some interesting places in it.

Example 1. In this part we can understand what localization means. Localizers changed words but preserve the main idea. This gap-Interval is a good example of localization.

Example 2. It looks like the first part. Localizers changed idioms but preserved the meaning. This gap-Interval: but what must we do if there are some different languages in the game?

Example 3. By the Russian localization we cannot use other languages. That’s why we have to change words of the man to Russian gamers. If we don’t do it he or she won’t understand the whole idea of the original.

Example 4. If we use common nouns or names we should translate word- for- word, fill in changes preserving the meaning and if it is necessary to cut out or change the idiom. In this gap we can follow how carelessness of localizers can break or even destroy the wholeness of the narration.

The final phrases show us how only 2 letters change the meaning of the whole sentence.

Conclusion

Nowadays the investigations aimed to overcoming language difficulties are very important. This sphere is opened for further learning. Modern rhythm of life and the development of Information Technologies influence much on different professions. Every day we can notice absolutely profession and a person must be ready to study all lifelong to fit new modern environment.

The aim of my paperwork was the description of the main features and difficulties of the video games localization. I am very interested in the profession of localizer. I hope this job will be popular and demanded.

Producing of the product was the hardest part of my project but I’ve learnt to use such programmes as DaVinci Resolve and Savefrom.net. Besides I’ve read a lot about localization and its types and features.

Drawing the conclusion I’d like to say that localization of the computer games is hard, unique but very interesting work. This task is for those who likes creative job, isn’t afraid of any difficulties and is ready to work for people and the society.

Sources of information