Eastern Europe Setting & Language

[omni]

Ok, I did a quick search through these forums for "europe english language" and I haven't been able to find any discussions on why English (seemly) is the language of choice for all inhabitants in incontrovertibly Eastern European City-17.

In the years since Gordon's absence has all nations of the world (or at least E. Europe) chose English as their native language?

Could this be Dr. Breen's doing, the Combine, or massive immigration from English speaking countries?

The monk is the only character so far that has a Russian-esque accent (could be more).

I wonder if there is an in-game plot relevant explanation for this or not. It could just be because this game is developed by an English speaking crew. Although, it would be interesting if only some characters (namely your old colleagues and Dr. Breen) spoke English while other characters spoke to you in their native tongue.

 

[Mr-Fusion]

It could just be because this game is developed by an English speaking crew.

That's it.

 

[Xrenity]

That's it.

indeed. And so more than half of the world can actually understand what they are talking about.

 

[ferd]

lol

Have you ever seen a game where ppl with other nationalities dont speak english?

 

[MadGuy]

lol

Have you ever seen a game where ppl with other nationalities dont speak english?

I heard Stalker is gonna have people speaking in Russian..probably with subtitles

 

[Lancelot]

lol

Have you ever seen a game where ppl with other nationalities dont speak english?

Medal of honor: Allied assault.

 

[Crusader]

That's just so they're easier to kill

 

[Andy018]

There have been games were the characters spoke a diffrent language. it just doesnt advance the storyline or involve the player any more to have them do it.

I would think its a design decision rather then a technical limitiation i mean lets be honest. who would buy a game were they couldnt understand what everyone was saying to eachother?

besides. Most of europe speak English anyway! we have been going to all parts of it for years conqured the locals and taught em all english. words like "gis a pint" for instance and... "Where are the sunloungers?" and of course one for all the true british people who go abroad!

"The germans have been up early again and nicked all the sunbeds!!!! :flame:"

 

[bliink]

story-wise, i think massive relocation of english speakers is key. we know because of the breen welcome messages, the trains, the apartments etc etc. theres obviously some kind of refugee/slave camp stuff happening

 

[NeonSpyder]

guys, are we forgetting that HL2 will be available in a multitude of languages? and that the characters will actually be speaking in russian/german/italian/chinese what-have-you?

so it doesn't really matter does it? if you want to play the game with russian speaking characters and english subtitles YOU CAN!

 

[Dead-Inside]

Well the bottom line would be;

Do you want an enjoyable game or realism? VALVe blends the latter in to the sooner...

 

[Wsh]

There's not much point in making HL2 npcs speak some languages no one knows. They could story-wise maybe.. but that would just feel rather weird and out-of-theme in a game like HL2.

Most of europe speak English anyway! we have been going to all parts of it for years conqured the locals and taught em all english.

rofl(?)

(and fyi NeonSpyder that wasn't his point)

 

[figge]

lol

Have you ever seen a game where ppl with other nationalities dont speak english?

Day of Defeat
Hitman: Contracts
Close combat
NAM (Ooold game based on the duke3d engine)
most ww2 games
etc.

 

[The Monkey]

I was hoping that Everyone in the city(save Alyx etc.) wouls speak with an accent, but I dont think that will happen.

 

[PvtRyan]

"The germans have been up early again and nicked all the sunbeds!!!! :flame:"

Hahahaha that made me laugh (but it's true!)

 

[Kirkburn]

Nah, that's the english now (no, it's true, damn us)

Anyways, it makes it easier to have an immersive atmosphere if you can understand the other people without subtitles (i think they break the atmosphere rather IMO. Then again I use them in Thief but that cause it can be so quiet. And bloody scary, but that's a different matter)

 

[SFLUFAN]

The assumption is that City 17 is a "haven" (it's safer here) city for what's left of the human population and as such, people from many different language groups would be brought there - besides, we've only heard a few (maybe 7 or so?) NPCs speak so there could very well be others speaking another language or accented English.

 

[guchi]

look at the game like your usual dvd movie, even if its set in say usa, you can still choose a different language, say swedish... it dosnt mean that sweden has invaded usa in the movie... :hmph:

 

[nofx]

Well has anyone ever played The Sims? How they speak Simolian and you have to sort of guess what they're talking about. Yes them speaking European would add a little bit of flavor but I think the effect would get old, and fast.

 

[mutt]

lol

Have you ever seen a game where ppl with other nationalities dont speak english?

valves DOD!

 

[Mr-Fusion]

They do speak english.

Really weird english though.

I see those Germans running around yelling "Sharp shorts". Sometimes they yell "GIVE ME FIRE SHORTS!!!"

 

[Crusader]

"A Stella and pretzels" is another popular war cry in Germany, apparently.

 

[FISKER_Q]

The assumption is that City 17 is a "haven" (it's safer here) city for what's left of the human population and as such, people from many different language groups would be brought there - besides, we've only heard a few (maybe 7 or so?) NPCs speak so there could very well be others speaking another language or accented English.

No according to Gabe Newell, it is a design decision to keep it english. And if i remember correct localizing will be voice-overs and subtitles, ingame stuff would still be english.

However the accent could be there, but i've always thought it as a lame attempt to show you know the language, but don't do anyways.

 

[Dalamari]

Valve=American

America=Speaks english

'nuff said.

 

[kaf11]

i always thought that we'll run into some npcs who will have european accents, but the vast majority of city-17 might be full of former U.S. citizens. i figured after the initial alien and combine invasion only nations with a strong military would be able to put up some kind of resistance. after america was over run, breen may have relocated many americans to inhabit these new cities. it would be a cool and depressing point to make in the game that perhaps many of the smaller nations didnt even stand a chance.