This blog post details the author's project to improve English translations for StarCraft: Brood War, focusing on the Korean version. Driven by a desire for accuracy and nuance, the author describes their process of meticulously translating in-game text, unit dialogue, and campaign briefings, often referencing the original Korean recordings and consulting with native speakers. The project aims to replace existing fan translations, which are considered inadequate, with more faithful and idiomatic English equivalents, enhancing the experience for English-speaking players and preserving the original artistic intent. The post also highlights the challenges of translating cultural references and humor while maintaining consistency with established StarCraft lore.
This blog post meticulously details the author's endeavor to enhance the accessibility and comprehensibility of StarCraft: Brood War for English-speaking audiences by providing accurate and contextually appropriate translations of the game's Korean audio cues and in-game text. The author elucidates the challenges inherent in translating the nuanced and culturally specific language of StarCraft, particularly emphasizing the difficulties posed by Korean honorifics and the rapid-fire delivery of unit responses. They further delineate the limitations of existing fan translations, citing issues with literal interpretations that fail to capture the intended meaning and tone.
The author's approach involves a combination of linguistic expertise, cultural sensitivity, and a deep understanding of the StarCraft universe. They meticulously research the cultural context of each phrase and expression, consulting with native Korean speakers to ensure accuracy and convey the appropriate level of formality or informality. This careful consideration extends to the selection of English equivalents that not only reflect the literal meaning but also preserve the original intent and emotional impact of the Korean dialogue.
The blog post also provides specific examples of translation improvements, showcasing how the author's approach resolves ambiguities and clarifies meanings that were previously lost in translation. These examples demonstrate the author's commitment to enhancing the player experience by providing a more accurate and immersive representation of the game's narrative and character interactions. The ultimate goal, as articulated by the author, is to bridge the language barrier and allow English-speaking players to fully appreciate the rich tapestry of StarCraft: Brood War's Korean dialogue. This project aims to not just translate words but to transmit the cultural and emotional nuances that contribute to the game's enduring appeal.
Summary of Comments ( 98 )
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=42740596
HN users discuss the challenges and nuances of translating StarCraft: Brood War from English to Korean, particularly the cultural context of unit names and terminology. Some commenters highlight the difficulty of conveying the original intent while adapting to Korean gaming conventions. For instance, the Medic's Korean name translates to "paramedic," which reflects a more serious and less sci-fi feel. The discussion also touches on the reversed translation process, with English speakers misinterpreting the Korean names and creating their own slang. The overall sentiment appreciates the depth of the blog post and the insight it offers into localization complexities and the cultural impact on gaming. Some users share personal anecdotes about playing the Korean version and the confusion caused by differing terminologies.
The Hacker News post titled "Brood War Korean Translations" sparked a relatively short but insightful discussion with several commenters focusing on the nuances of translation and the cultural context surrounding the original StarCraft: Brood War.
One commenter highlights the inherent difficulty of translating idioms, particularly those related to military jargon, offering the example of "Hit and run," which doesn't have a direct Korean equivalent that captures the same tactical implication. They explain that the Korean translation leans more towards "attack and retreat" or "poke and retreat," which, while conveying a similar action, misses the nuanced aggression implicit in the English phrase. This commenter also touches upon the challenge of translating real-world references, such as unit names like "Goliath," which might not resonate as strongly with a Korean audience unfamiliar with the biblical story. They suggest the Korean localization team likely grappled with finding culturally relevant substitutes that maintained the unit's intended role and feel.
Another commenter delves deeper into the cultural aspect of translation, pointing out the different connotations associated with specific units. They use the example of the "Vulture," noting its negative perception in Western cultures, contrasted with its possible neutral or even positive interpretation in other cultures where vultures might be seen as resourceful scavengers. This difference, they argue, adds another layer of complexity for translators trying to preserve the original intent and emotional impact of the game's terminology.
Building on the theme of cultural differences, a different comment emphasizes the practical challenges faced by the localization team in the late 1990s. They mention the limited understanding of Korean culture within the American development team and the potential communication barriers between the two. They speculate that these factors likely contributed to certain translation choices that might seem odd or inaccurate in retrospect. This comment also hints at the broader challenges of software localization in a time when global communication was less seamless than it is today.
Finally, one commenter briefly expresses appreciation for the article and the author's perspective on game localization, highlighting the importance of understanding cultural context and the translator's role in bridging linguistic and cultural gaps.
While not a lengthy discussion, the comments on this Hacker News post provide valuable insights into the complexities of game localization, particularly for a culturally significant title like StarCraft: Brood War. The commenters effectively demonstrate how seemingly simple translation choices can have significant implications for the overall player experience and understanding of the game's lore and mechanics.