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English not your first language? Use that for RPG fun

Monsters of Faerun, Japanese language edition, D&D 3.5, 2004

One of the great experiences of taking part in tabletop role playing games online is that you get to interact with people from different cultures, often who do not have English as their first language. The roots of tabletop RPGs are mainly in countries which have English as a common tongue, and no few of us gamers were brought up on English and are mostly familiar gaming with others who speak English, so it can be interesting and sometimes a challenge to game with those who come from a different background.

That being said, there are plenty of online games taking place in non-English languages despite many rules sets having not been officially translated, including the most recent edition of Dungeons & Dragons. A quick look around various sites which are home to online RPGs can lead one to campaigns in Spanish, German, and any number of other languages. Still, it seems games in English are quite common, perhaps the most common.

Even the English language has its variations

English happens to be my own native language, but having lived most of my life in Appalachia or the South, I’m aware I have an accent. On a daily basis I do not hear my own accent, and many of those around me tell me I sound like a “Yankee.” Maybe that’s because I lived for some while in Ohio, or maybe it’s because those around me often have an accent stronger than my own. Either way, my accent doesn’t seem all that pronounced. Until I go to gaming online. It is quite noticeable to me when I play with other Americans who are from other parts of the country than myself. I don’t sound like them, not even close. And I definitely don’t sound like English speakers from other parts of the globe.

So, to some small extent I can understand when those less experienced speaking English might feel a bit intimidated when playing with those of us who use that language commonly.

D&D module, Italian language edition, 1986

The truth, however, is that language and accents should not hold you back as a gamer. Yes, there might be times when you will have difficulty in getting across your point, and there might be times when others have a hard time understanding you, and yes, there is the occasional jerk who might laugh or even make fun of you. All of that is besides the point.

Your voice, the way you speak, it is part of what makes you you. It is part of what makes you unique. It might not be an important factor to you personally, but it is something by which others may very well remember you, something that can draw others to you as a person and as a gamer.

In other words, never consider your voice a weakness, but a strength, no matter how you talk. Your voice is not only your own, but that of your characters. Use your voice as a part of your characters, because that voice is another tool, a strong one, in portraying your characters. Others might not remember your characters’ appearance or their class or their race, but if you speak in such a manner unfamiliar to the listener, I am sure you and your characters will be remembered.

D&D and RPG players use language to make characters shine

Another way to look at it is that us English-speaking gamers sometimes go to extremes to come up with seemingly out-of-the-ordinary traits for our characters. Sometimes our characters will have certain attitudes or particular eccentricities, they will dress in an unusual manner or carry unfamiliar weapons. Those of us who speak English will sometimes try to use unusual, foreign-sounding or even funny voices for our characters in an attempt to make our characters stand out. Here you’ve already got the upper hand. You and your characters are already going to stand out because of your particular voice, perhaps even your language.

D&D rules book, Finnish language edition, 1988

Speaking of language, I suggest throwing in a few words of your native tongue from time to time while playing, if you find it appropriate to your character and the current session. To you it might sound utterly familiar, but to the rest of us it can sound intriguing, adding a touch of the exotic, making your character all that more memorable. Keep in mind characters often speak multiple languages, so why not? I would not suggest going overboard with this, as you want to remain clear to other players and the DM, but the occasional oath or poem or even curse in a non-English tongue could be a nice touch.

There you go. I hope everyone enjoyed their holidays and maybe worked in a few gaming sessions. And until next time, Stay Nerdy! Or as they say in Iceland, Dvöl Nerdy!

I think. My Icelandic is atrocious.

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