OOC shenanigans

[Kyriel]

Aside from copywrite liability, referring to OOC nations is not really different from using OOC plagiarised song lyrics for your chars. We use names of places on maps that our chars have not seen. But you’d never say that your char went to Poland. Your char speaks the language of Gazoport or Xiria or wherever she spawned. If you have to say ‘Italian’, you aren’t trying hard enough.

... Widely-spoken natural languages are not generally copyrighted, and yes, that's a completely different thing from plagiarism.

And, why does saying "Polish" have to imply there's a Poland? People in America speak English. People in Mexico speak Spanish. People in Brazil speak Portuguese. ... and people in the Phillipines speak Tagalog. Sure, some of those are originally derived from the names of actual places, but there's no real reason that the names of languages have to have anything to do with a place.

Besides, if we cut out all OOC references from language itself, we're going to be losing half of the language. Many people don't realize how many words in a language refer to historical figures. Even that notwithstanding, there's the entire evolution of a language that would surely not take place in the same manner in another world.

[Pilot]

Players choose the quality and depth of the immersion for their language zone. For example, in the spanish zone we agreed RL years ago to remove any reference to Spain from towns and buildings. This was discussed in the forums and corrected in game.

Certainly there is no rule against poor or bad roleplay, it's up to players to decide if they are ok with it.

[Marian]

Besides, if we cut out all OOC references from language itself, we're going to be losing half of the language. Many people don't realize how many words in a language refer to historical figures. Even that notwithstanding, there's the entire evolution of a language that would surely not take place in the same manner in another world.

Yeah, I'm really, really getting the impression people aren't realizing just how many common words and phrases in any language make zero sense in a world like Cantr's. Or the fact that language is a fluid thing in the first place. The term 'Spanish' is only OOC if it's being used in an OOC way. And comparing it to plagiarism is just silly. It's a word that means people who speak Spanish, not a copyrighted creative work.

And can't speak as much for other language groups but I'm pretty sure all English characters pretty much have no choice but to cheat on the spawning language rules on a regular basis, since so many common English words come from a language group their chars should know nothing about. Look at the foods alone sometime if you want some fuel for this fire of what words or concepts characters should or should not be aware of at spawning.

[Joshuamonkey]

I don't think we should worry so much about the history of words in real life. Such arguments could apply to all words. We're using languages that were created in real life, because those are the languages player's speak. I think coming up with different names for languages you don't know makes sense in some situations; for example, sometimes English characters will call Polish "Polski" because that's what some notes say or what natives say. I do think it makes sense for characters to know the name of their own language in whatever language they speak, and they can learn the names of other languages from those who speak it. I wouldn't say it's unreasonable for a Polish character to refer to his language as Polish after properly learning English, though I suppose using the name of the language in the original language would be a little better.

[*Wiro]

There is enough evidence that the word English was coined before England, and referred to the language and not to the country (as it still does today: Australia, Canada, U.S., to name a few, all speak English). The argument also doesn't really hold up for Dutch (spoken in the Netherlands).

While I agree that it is nice to think of new words, it's not fair to accuse others of "poor play" for not adhering to your personal rules and ideas.

[sherman]

Players choose the quality and depth of the immersion for their language zone. For example, in the spanish zone we agreed RL years ago to remove any reference to Spain from towns and buildings. This was discussed in the forums and corrected in game.

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Guess this works well when you talk about small language group with not so many chars but when we go to english area.. It gets way harder. Not to mention so many words come from other language etc...

[Pilot]

It works when you want to make it work.

Players model the game they choose to play in with their input and participation. You cannot force others to do what you want, but you can sell them the concept you want with roleplay, and let them decide with the options you present to them. I guess that's what's this game is about.

[bnlphan]

I guess everyone has some issues with some in game events. Far be it for me to criticize anyone's game play because if you know or knew any or my charries you'd know I stink at role play. I'm not a big fan of characters having dreams something about that to me borders on OOC stuff at times, but I roll with it and since I'm sure I'm in the minority on the issue I dont complain about it IC or OOCly. well except now lol.
I do agree with most of the complaints I've read about the radio. I think more than anything is those who take on a different personality on it because of the anonymity. If your character is pleasant and friendly in town with other characters they shouldn't turn into a radio jerk when they are alone in a room with a transmitter. Just speculation on my part but I do think this happens on some level in game.

[Kyriel]

I do agree with most of the complaints I've read about the radio. I think more than anything is those who take on a different personality on it because of the anonymity. If your character is pleasant and friendly in town with other characters they shouldn't turn into a radio jerk when they are alone in a room with a transmitter. Just speculation on my part but I do think this happens on some level in game.

People do that outside of the context of a game on the internet all the time, though. They might be pleasant people IRL, but you get them on the internet and they turn into a troll.

[Marian]

People do that outside of the context of a game on the internet all the time, though. They might be pleasant people IRL, but you get them on the internet and they turn into a troll.

[Spillages]

On the subject of radios, I can't help but compare it to other ooc equivalencies such as ooc radios, internet, and televisions. The people, radio jockeys, actors, etc. Are likely all completely different people if met outside of their public roles. This is a skill real people possess, the ability to hold multiple and separate persona. What is the issue with in game characters possessing the same abilities?


On the subject of prior in character knowledge, languages, vocabulary, etc. We all spawn at age 20 (haven't met anyone who hasn't yet) the amount of undocumented knowledge that is possible to gain in 20 years is unfathomable. I just brush it off as part of ones back story, we are given the freedom to do as we wish with our characters, who is to say something didn't exist during those 20 years?

[iavatus]

Read the sig. If it's on the wiki, you can know it. You can choose to not know it, like the fumbling sailors I'm watching, who know the names of the objects like sail and such, but not even the slightest actual effort has been made to read about sailing. Just an excuse to engage in *waves rope around* *looks at the sail* Not rivetting, but that's their choice. Temptation to simply set the direction and cutit short, but that could be meeaaaaan.

[Moonflame]

Since it's on the topic of OOC shenanigans, you never know when those fumbling sailors might be reading your posts on the forums. Maybe they don't have the time to go researching sailing right now but are still attempting roleplay. Better, perhaps, than a silent journey. I Hope they appreciate your contribution to the roleplay.

[iavatus]

Hey, that's their choice, to come across as clumsy clueless. It's adorable to see, and gently mock, and I'll be the first to educate em, but hey. They seem to be doing fine mechanics wise. Why not spend the time and thought to seem vaguely proficient as well.

If everytime someone started a task, I needed to treat them like a first year apprentice and walk through the process of building a window or furnace, step by step, and all they were providing was oh, cool, yeah.... what's this thing? I'd stop pretending to care quite quickly.

Rp'ing clumsy, but being exceedingly proficient at the mechanics side, just feels tack-y. :drumroll:

[Marian]

And remember kids! Saying anything that's not 100% supportive, or with even the faintest whiff of criticism about anything at all, is a terrible sin that crushes souls and destroys lives. Especially in regards to a roleplaying game on the internet.

Also I don't know how to RP sailing right either, iavatus are you silently judging me. I know you are admit it.