Re: [Enigma-devel] Re: English Translation

[Andreas Lochmann]

Hi Clifford,

I think, this is a great idea! In contrast to all other languages,
most English parts are written by non-native speakers. (As a
funny byproduct, I originally wrote my levels in English and
later saw them translated back to German by Raoul ;-)

There are lots of English texts accompanied with Enigma, like
the manual and the reference manual, homepage etc. All of them
could need their English polished by a native speaker. This
accounts for the levels, too, as you already mentioned. For my
part, I'd be very happy if you could correct the texts in my levels.
However, I can't speak for the remaining authors.

@Ronald: Are there some chances for an English-po?
 What strategy would you suggest?

Greets,
Andreas


Clifford J. Tasner wrote:

> Andreas, Ronald & Company,
>
> I continue to enjoy your great accomplishment.  One small issue I  
> have, and it doesn't lessen the fascination your puzzles hold for me,  
> is that occasionally, the translations of the text to English are  
> awkward and non-idiomatic.  For example, one level is entitled,  
> "Tripple Threat" - the word is actually spelled "Triple"-  now this  
> may have been intentional.  However, there are a number of messages  
> in "Aztec Temple" that are off the mark - the word  is "relic" not  
> "relict" and "impressive" not "impressing."   Also, some of the  
> sentences seem odd to a native English speaker.
>
> Perhaps this isn't a priority.  It certainly doesn't diminish how  
> much fun Enigma holds.  However, if you are interested in some help,  
> I would be eager to review the various English texts in the game and  
> offer more accurate translations when you're getting ready for the  
> next version of Enigma.
>
> I'm a former Classics student with a background in Linguistics.   
> Before I quit so that I could pursue my film career (I am a film  
> composer), I taught English As A Second Language.  I do a great deal  
> of writing in English.  I regret that German is not yet among the  
> languages that I speak, but I have some German-speaking friends.  I  
> could certainly compare the authors' levels' texts in English and  
> German and make recommendations as to more appropriate English when  
> necessary.
>
> I don't wish to be presumptuous.  I just want to make a contribution  
> to something that I appreciate greatly.
>
> Let me know.
>
> Respectfully,
>
> Clifford J. Tasner
> (aka Taztunes)