Languages & Maps [Old Topic]

[AndyDufresne]

I'm spawning this idea from a discussion that has gone on in the Eastern Front thread.

The question is,
'How should choice of language be determined in maps?'


A. All maps should be in English.

B. If the map is detailing a specific geographic area or region where a particular native language is frequent in use, it may be used in place of English. But all other maps should be in English.

C. If cartographers reside in a particular area where English is not the primary language, they may choose to do their map in their native language.

D. Any map can be in any language.

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Thoughts and opinions?


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After discussion I'll consider adding something to the 'How to Make a Map' thread to clarify whatever the consenus seems to be, and make it a new Guideline for the Foundry.


--Andy

[Bad Speler]

In my opinion, i agree completely with b. Maps should be english, but for example, spain could be spanish, Portugal could be portuguese, etc. I believe C is the case that is happening right now with the Easter Front map, if this is the case, i believe the cartographer should make an effort to make it English. (edit)i also strongly disagree with d. We dont need foreign languages that hardly anyone speaks to be on a map that is not of that region.

[DublinDoogey]

I'd say a combination of A and B.

Look at, for example, the BeNeLux map, it's ok for that to be in a non-English language because it is a very specific location. You wouldn't be able to have a European map with that language, but the specific location is ok.

On the other side, the Eastern Front map appears to cover a specific area, but really, it's a rather large chunk of land. It goes from eastern Germany to western Russia, and from the Black Sea to the Baltic (maybe) sea. The language being used, if i remember correctly, is Serbian... doesn't really fit the area, and one language really doesn't. So, English should be used for this map.

This is, of course, just my opinion, but I think that in general maps should be in English, the people using this site speak English, whether as a first or second language, so it helps increase communication and connections if we stick to it.

[Wisse]

B but only the names,

[onbekende]

A and B, depends of the location. how larger the region, the more use of English needs to be incouraged

[cowshrptrn]

I tihnk C/D is fine, if someone wants to make a german map, or a russian map, more power to them. We have other language threads, why not give them maps. Its not liek it will be impossible to play by other people.

Also, it will be a lot harder to get feedback for a nonenglish map which would be a good deterrent for people who want to make foreign language maps.It keeps it to people who just want to make them because its easier for them, and if they decided they're the ones who are going to put in the effort to make the map, they shodul be the ones to choose the language.

[Sargentgeneral]

B is perfect. Although it seems that english is by far the dominant language, we dont want to discriminate the others. Also, it wont take away from the gameplay. I dont care if i can pronounce the name or not as long as i can take it over!

[Qwert]

i can belive, you of mouse create elephant.
Let see yours huge difference.
LENINGRAD-LENJINGRAD
MOSCOW-MOSKVA
STALINGRAD-STALJINGRAD
TERNOPOL-TERNOPOLJ
VILNIUS-VILJNUS
DEMYANSK-DEMJANSK
And others minor difference.
If somebody say"i dont understand these" he dont tell a true.
Those my opinion.

[cowshrptrn]

He's not trying to criticize your map specifically, qwert. He just noted that there was some opposition and wanted to know what the general consensus in the forum is as to the language a map is in. Most people are wondering why you're using Slovac instead of the regional languages. Essentially, use Russian and German for the anmes, or use English. They dont' liek the idea of bringing in a third party language thats not involved with the map or forum.

[sully800]

I think it is fine for the country names to be in another language (if the country on the map speaks that language preferably)

But I also think that all extra comments on the map such as the key, instructions, etc. should be in English. As others have said- it doesn't matter if I can pronounce or even correctly read the country names I am attacking, as long as I can distinguish the names sufficiently. However any instructions on the map should be in English so the vast majority of people here can read them.

[reverend_kyle]

I think it is fine for the country names to be in another language (if the country on the map speaks that language preferably)

But I also think that all extra comments on the map such as the key, instructions, etc. should be in English. As others have said- it doesn't matter if I can pronounce or even correctly read the country names I am attacking, as long as I can distinguish the names sufficiently. However any instructions on the map should be in English so the vast majority of people here can read them.

couldnt agree
more.

[everywhere116]

I think it is fine for the country names to be in another language (if the country on the map speaks that language preferably)

But I also think that all extra comments on the map such as the key, instructions, etc. should be in English. As others have said- it doesn't matter if I can pronounce or even correctly read the country names I am attacking, as long as I can distinguish the names sufficiently. However any instructions on the map should be in English so the vast majority of people here can read them.

You beat me to it.

[s.xkitten]

I think it is fine for the country names to be in another language (if the country on the map speaks that language preferably)

But I also think that all extra comments on the map such as the key, instructions, etc. should be in English. As others have said- it doesn't matter if I can pronounce or even correctly read the country names I am attacking, as long as I can distinguish the names sufficiently. However any instructions on the map should be in English so the vast majority of people here can read them.

totally agree

[spiesr]

B and

I think it is fine for the country names to be in another language (if the country on the map speaks that language preferably)

But I also think that all extra comments on the map such as the key, instructions, etc. should be in English. As others have said- it doesn't matter if I can pronounce or even correctly read the country names I am attacking, as long as I can distinguish the names sufficiently. However any instructions on the map should be in English so the vast majority of people here can read them.

[KEYOGI]

B. I think English should be the language of choice unless there's a good reason for using another. I completely agree with Bad Speler and the points others have made who chose B.

[Kokunai]

I say D because it doesn't matter as the names on the map do not matter only the territories and layout. The names you will get used to, and the language on the map does not effect gameplay as long as bonuses are color coded like they most frequently are.

[for dummies]

B the names don't really affect the gameplay so they should be in english or the language of the region. it is just common sense

[Marvaddin]

Well, I think C is the better. When I was doing Brazil map, I couldnt find english names for those regions... So it was in Portuguese because there was no option.

But I think other languages would be fine... but ONLY using the same alphabet. I think we shouldnt use other alphabets (like Russian one).

[hawkeye]

B entirely.

[Hoff]

I think it is fine for the country names to be in another language (if the country on the map speaks that language preferably)

But I also think that all extra comments on the map such as the key, instructions, etc. should be in English. As others have said- it doesn't matter if I can pronounce or even correctly read the country names I am attacking, as long as I can distinguish the names sufficiently. However any instructions on the map should be in English so the vast majority of people here can read them.

couldnt agree
more.

I too agree.

[Qwert]

reverend_kyle wrote: sully800 wrote:
I think it is fine for the country names to be in another language (if the country on the map speaks that language preferably)

But I also think that all extra comments on the map such as the key, instructions, etc. should be in English. As others have said- it doesn't matter if I can pronounce or even correctly read the country names I am attacking, as long as I can distinguish the names sufficiently. However any instructions on the map should be in English so the vast majority of people here can read them.
couldnt agree
more.


im Agree 100%

[Balsiefen]

B. i think the names should be what the aria is actually called by the people who live thare

[rebelman]

B to me is the most practical / sensible solution.

[bryguy]

In my opinion, i agree completely with b. Maps should be english, but for example, spain could be spanish, Portugal could be portuguese, etc.

Eu não gosto disso, causar eu não falam uma palavra de português

Pero hago uso de la palabra (algunas) palabras del español

[dominationnation]

I think that only if the map uses actual city names can they be in other languages. If the are making up the name then it should be english.