Why continuity is not "All That"

[DEATH eVADER]

Okay I took me a while to figure this out, but why is everything in english in city 17 when it is in Eastern Europe.

It is fine that most NPC's speak english as it would be annoying looking at the subtitles to find out what their saying (And it would be intriguing to find out if they came from english speaking countries...)

http://www.halflife2.net/news//1093297614_Three.jpg

But why on Earth is their a Milk Carton with "Milk" Written on the side of it. You would think that Milk would be spelled differently in Eastern Europe. Given the shape of the carton, most people would point out, "Oh look, its a carton of milk." without looking at the writing.

I know the subject is a bit picky, but I wonder if anybody else has noticed snggering continuity flops.

 

[Absinthe]

I'm pretty sure there's a reason as to why everybody speaks English.

 

[Asknoone]

Maybe because everyone recieves rations?

 

[Ol'Master]

I think that the architecture is inspired by Eastern Europe, rather than the city being based there. Besides, people mightn't be too happy if everyone was speaking in some foreign language and they couldn't understand it.

 

[Fixed]

I'm pretty sure there's a reason as to why everybody speaks English.

I think it's got more to do with being user friendly. The game is being translated into different languages, however the majority of the audience will speak English so it doesn't make sense to alienate them.

 

[ViolenceJack]

Is it actually in eastern europe though, i thought it was just the style of setting but even if it is the place is clearly run by some high power people and the citizens clearly have no rights the clock in the train station doesnt even have its hands on so you dont even know the time. I thought it was just like a work place anyway, you know, you go to work in a large building or somin well these people went to work in a similar way apart from its a whole city and not just 1 building.

 

[Dagobert]

I think that the architecture is inspired by Eastern Europe, rather than the city being based there.

So where is it then?

 

[kaf11]

i believe that a majority of people in city-17 will speak english because after the invasion that took place (after the black mesa incident) there werent many countries whos military was strong enough to survive to some extent. the combine probably didnt arrive on the scene until many of the smaller countries, including some in eastern europe, had been overrun. after the combine took over, they probably began collecting refugees from all over. im assuming after the U.S. was over run, many fleed to eastern europe, where they were then forced into one of the combine cities. i think this would be an interesting part of the story, because after you were in stasis for some time, you as gordon would discover just how terrible things have got since youve been gone.

 

[Captain M4d]

My guess is that when the population decreased massively, the Combine had to come down to a conclusion as to which language to use. They probably figured this out by the highest percentage of Nationality.

 

[Mountain Man]

I know the subject is a bit picky...

Yout got that right.

 

[A.I.]

My guess is that when the population decreased massively, the Combine had to come down to a conclusion as to which language to use. They probably figured this out by the highest percentage of Nationality.

Then it would be Chinese not English.

 

[Foxtrot]

Maybe they are just all survivors? And English was chosen as the language to be used...because China died.

 

[DEATH eVADER]

Is it actually in eastern europe though, i thought it was just the style of setting but even if it is the place is clearly run by some high power people and the citizens clearly have no rights the clock in the train station doesnt even have its hands on so you dont even know the time. I thought it was just like a work place anyway, you know, you go to work in a large building or somin well these people went to work in a similar way apart from its a whole city and not just 1 building.

True, I mean many European countries have architecture based on each other.

Mind you, I believe that City17 is in fact in Holland, the reason is because the canals where your in that hover-craft look similar to the ones in North Europe. Of course the Electricity pylons, the type of flora and fauna, the vehicles also a factor to consider

The vehicles, however, do look old and used. Either it is Eastern Europe or the stock-markets plummeted during the first years of the invasion.

 

[staddydaddy]

Wow how awesome would the realism in hl2 be if we all had to learn a bunch of european languages to play the game! wow that would be sooooooo sweeet


/sarcasm

You're one of those idiots that has to nitpick everything.

 

[GorgeousOrifice]

Then it would be Chinese not English.

No, it'd still be English. The five major Chinese dialects are mutually unintelligible.

 

[Spooky Barnes]

Wow how awesome would the realism in hl2 be if we all had to learn a bunch of european languages to play the game! wow that would be sooooooo sweeet


/sarcasm

You're one of those idiots that has to nitpick everything.

That would tight! Oh wait... you were joking... damn... but I thought you were for real... nevermind...

 

[Ch1cKeN]

I think that he has a very valid point.

There are only english speaking people.
My guess is that the combine only spoke english, and killed whoever couldnt understand or listen to them.

 

[Gorgon]

:sniper:

I think that he has a very valid point.

There are only english speaking people.
My guess is that the combine only spoke english, and killed whoever couldnt understand or listen to them.

very solid point. I like that.

 

[Mountain Man]

I doubt there is an "in universe" explanation for the apparent predominance of English. The game was designed by English speakers and so favors the English language. There's really no other explanation.

 

[Dr. Freeman]

I doubt there is an "in universe" explanation for the apparent predominance of English. The game was designed by English speakers and so favors the English language. There's really no other explanation.

yeah.
i mean if pple wanna dig into figuring out why English is the language of choice more power to them but the simplest most sensible answer is what Moutain Man has given.

 

[Maui]

"Why do we all have these silly British accents? Weren't we born in space? And for that matter, why does every single alien in the galaxy speak english?"

...

*head pops off*

2 points to whoever gets the stupid obscure reference!

 

[DEATH eVADER]

I just realise that there is a chinese takeaway box next to the carton of milk

http://www.halflife2.net/news//1093297614_Three.jpg

 

[Steven Q Urkle]

im gonna wreck that guys house so bad. everything in it is going to be knocked over or broken when im done with it, especially his milk

 

[tron]

my guess:

valve employees, voice actors and a significant amount of their customer base speak english.

 

[Absinthe]

"Why do we all have these silly British accents? Weren't we born in space? And for that matter, why does every single alien in the galaxy speak english?"

...

*head pops off*

2 points to whoever gets the stupid obscure reference!

Thumb wars?

No wait, I think that was a different quote.

 

[Absinthe]

I'm pretty sure there's a plausible explanation as to why they all speak English. Aside from the fact that it's just easier to have everybody speak the same language.

I mean, think about it. Barney and Eli came all the way from freakin' Black Mesa. It was on a different continent! THERE WERE CACTUSES!!!!!

If they somehow relocated to Europe, then why can this not be the case with other English speakers?

 

[Letters]

The Hell milk have to do with continuity?

 

[Atomi]

Maybe people we're relocated to different cities, like C 17? Or then they just speak english a la Stargate aliens. The aliens speak mostly english so people could enjoy the show.

 

[trantjd]

I think that the architecture is inspired by Eastern Europe, rather than the city being based there.

So where is it then?

Go watch the movie Dark City...that will explain it all! I would say more, but I don't want to give away the movie! :cheese:

 

[Joeslucky22]

Okay I took me a while to figure this out, but why is everything in english in city 17 when it is in Eastern Europe.

It is fine that most NPC's speak english as it would be annoying looking at the subtitles to find out what their saying (And it would be intriguing to find out if they came from english speaking countries...)

http://www.halflife2.net/news//1093297614_Three.jpg

But why on Earth is their a Milk Carton with "Milk" Written on the side of it. You would think that Milk would be spelled differently in Eastern Europe. Given the shape of the carton, most people would point out, "Oh look, its a carton of milk." without looking at the writing.

I know the subject is a bit picky (A BIT?!?!), but I wonder if anybody else has noticed snggering continuity flops.

You really think the milk carton is a problem in the game?...

Holy ****....

You are one pathetic loser... swear to god.

I would hate to meet you in person.

 

[Absinthe]

You really think the milk carton is a problem in the game?...

Holy ****....

You are one pathetic loser... swear to god.

I would hate to meet you in person.

Of course, this reaction is completely warranted, right?

Losers calling other people losers. It's crazeh, I tell you. :rolling:

 

[Joeslucky22]

He is complaining about MILK spelt in english on a carton..

It's f***ing pathetic...

 

[Absinthe]

I'm not denying it's petty. But you still went too far.

 

[Icarus]

Get this back on topic, or it will be locked

 

[staddydaddy]

I'd be glad if it got locked. this topic is pointless complain that has no relivance to anything. it just spreads hate and nick picking about something, that at the end of the day, that has noooo importants _what_ _so_ _ever_

honestly people, find something better to do with your life you only have so much.

 

[Joeslucky22]

I'd be glad if it got locked. this topic is pointless complain that has no relivance to anything. it just spreads hate and nick picking about something, that at the end of the day, that has noooo importants _what_ _so_ _ever_

honestly people, find something better to do with your life you only have so much.

Agreed. Lock it for its own good.

 

[Sprafa]

During the German occupation of Paris, many things were in German.

Maybe the Combine managed to convert everyone to English, just like the Germans would to the French if they had a more prolongued stay.

 

[Roland Deschain]

The basic truth is we've run out of topics to discuss, so we're going onto such small petty things as milkcarton design?

 

[UndeadScottsman]

Well, remember, a lot of City 17's residents are transplanted survivors of the Black Mesa incident...

Sincerely,
Jeremy Dunn

 

[Parrot of doom]

Seems a perfectly acceptable topic to discuss. Its about HL2, its a question, its not important but the guy is obviously interested.

This website has too many eejiots who think nothing of flaming somebody just because they start a topic of conversation on something that the flamer finds uninteresting.

Myself, I think its just pollution of the local language. Its set in the future. How many words and phrases are common in English, that are actually bastardised versions of a foreign language?