So much Japanese terminology...alternatives?

[LeonRupnik]

I get it, this is a game about Japanese history, with the primary audience being people interested in same (I count myself in this group). However, many, me included, might not be familiar with all the japanese terms used throughout the game (noble titles, etc). Will there be an option to use equivalent European terms (like other pdox games are localised into several languages), or at least a small dictionary included with the manual?

Can't wait for the release!

 

[Captain Gars]

I get it, this is a game about Japanese history, with the primary audience being people interested in same (I count myself in this group). However, many, me included, might not be familiar with all the jap terms used throughout the game (noble titles, etc). Will there be an option to use equivalent European terms (like other pdox games are localised into several languages), or at least a small dictionary included with the manual?

Can't wait for the release!

There won't be any such non-Japanese localisation available. But we haven't used Japanese terms for that many things, and the ones we use I'd expect to be explained in the manual or through loading tips.

 

[Bob Ilyani]

There won't be any such non-Japanese localisation available. But we haven't used Japanese terms for that many things, and the ones we use I'd expect to be explained in the manual or through loading tips.

I feel like it's going to be one of those things you'll just get used to after repeated play.

 

[crusaderknight]

Equivalent terms would just be awkward. Instead of calling the era the Sengoku Jidai, it'd be "The Age of the Country at War" (which is the translation, if I recall), and we'd see Dukes battling for the position of Generalissimo. It would kind of kill the immersion, would basically be like CK2 in Japan. No, I am thankful that Paradox is using Japanese terms for a game solely about a period in Japanese history. I agree with Bob Ilyani, anything that isn't explained in the manual, you'll get used to in time. But I assume the game will have tool tips that explain everything.

 

[Sjiveru]

Probably the only Japanese terms in here will be for concepts where any English term isn't a sufficient equivalent. Besides, 1) it adds flavour, and 2) you'll probably learn pretty fast anyway.

 

[Drakken]

Pretty sure they'll be a Japanese term flavour mod anyway.

 

[unmerged(212811)]

It'd ruin the immersion to have European terms, plus you'll learn it all pretty easy if you just play the game.

Equivalent terms would just be awkward. Instead of calling the era the Sengoku Jidai, it'd be "The Age of the Country at War" (which is the translation, if I recall)

Isn't it "Warring States Period"? Wikipedia says it is, anyway.

 

[icedt729]

Isn't it "Warring States Period"? Wikipedia says it is, anyway.

It is, Japanese historians lifted the term from Chinese history even though the description isn't perfectly apt.

 

[RedRalphWiggum]

We won't be using the term 'Jap' here.

 

[Chaingun]

I suspect the only problem for English speakers after the initial threshold will be the names of dynasties/characters... judging from the dev diaries anyway.

 

[safferli]

If you have a question or disagree with a moderating decision, please do so via PM, thanks.

 

[unmerged(131989)]

Agreed. Besides, it's usually not very hard to pick up a game concept and understand what it is. Players may even learn something.

 

[LeonRupnik]

Equivalent terms would just be awkward. Instead of calling the era the Sengoku Jidai, it'd be "The Age of the Country at War" (which is the translation, if I recall), and we'd see Dukes battling for the position of Generalissimo. It would kind of kill the immersion, would basically be like CK2 in Japan.

So you're saying Sengoku is nothing but CK2 with Japanese names? I'd rather have immersion created through actual gameplay mechanics than through unpronouncable names of key gameplay elements.

Anyway, now that we have an official pdox response, I suppose the matter is settled. Perhaps this would make an interesting idea for a mod, if localisations will be moddable.

 

[unmerged(131989)]

Perhaps this would make an interesting idea for a mod, if localisations will be moddable.

They should be. Localisations in all of Paradox's previous releases have been fully moddable.

 

[crusaderknight]

Isn't it "Warring States Period"? Wikipedia says it is, anyway.

It very well might be. I am recalling what I read in the description of one of the campaigns in Shogun: Total War. I believe there they translated Sengoku Jidai as "The Age of the Country at War." However, I do like "Warring States Period" better, rolls off the tongue a little easier, and it's shorter.

So you're saying Sengoku is nothing but CK2 with Japanese names? I'd rather have immersion created through actual gameplay mechanics than through unpronouncable names of key gameplay elements.

It was an over-simplification to make a point, hence my usage of a simile. Obviously there are more differences between Sengoku and CK2 than just the map and localisation files. My point was that if the game is going to take place in Medieval Japan with an engine designed to help replicate Medieval Japanese politics, then it makes more sense to use Medieval Japanese terminology than European terminology. If you want a game where Dukes and Kings and Counts go at it in the political area, we have Crusader Kings 1 and 2. But if you want a Japanese themed game, then it makes far more sense to have Daimyos vying for the Shogunate than to have Dukes trying to become Generalissimo. That's all I was trying to say, and I apologize if my wording was misleading.

 

[DarthJF]

Just be glad the text isn't in kanji.

 

[Andrelvis]

There won't be any such non-Japanese localisation available. But we haven't used Japanese terms for that many things, and the ones we use I'd expect to be explained in the manual or through loading tips.

And in the tooltips as well?

 

[Andrelvis]

Equivalent terms would just be awkward. Instead of calling the era the Sengoku Jidai, it'd be "The Age of the Country at War" (which is the translation, if I recall)

Not that I have anything against the japanese term, but what you mentioned could easily be written in a less awkward manner, such as "The Civil War Era".

 

[Järnblomma]

It is very hard to translate "sengoku jidai", essentially untranslatable. Warring States Period and the Age of the Country at War (or the Time of the Warring Country or the Age when the Nation was at War or...) are essentially all as correct or incorrect.

OnT, I would say that the terminology isn't that hard to learn. Also, many of translations are rather... lacking. The title of Daimyo, for example, also has several different ways of translating (count, duke, warlord, grand lord, etc.) and none really captures what a daimyo is. Then it is much easier to refer to them as Daimyo, Hatamoto, Shogun and Kori.

*Japanophile scutters away*

 

[keeveek]

Some small dictionary in game manual would do for me.