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[A Call for Help] Improving Text and Voice

[A Call for Help] Improving Text and Voice

Both for quality, and for ease in localizing the build to different languages.

Jason in this thread ( <a href="http://forum.piratesahoy.net/index.php?showtopic=5698" target="_blank">http://forum.piratesahoy.net/index.php?showtopic=5698</a> ) brings up the problem of how the player is addressed (due to rank troubles). Lass, in the New Characters thread, mentions similarly gender-based problems, and also brings up adding new voice clips.

Rather than go through the game files more than once, fixing a different problem each time, let's organize.

Note: this is not all mine, not in the least; ste--err, borrowing, quite specifically from Jason and Lass (as above), and probably from many before too at various points.

We have the following problems:<ol type='I'><li>Textual - Note: This is not just in dialog, but in interface and logs too!<ol type='A'><li>Address forms.<ol type='1'><li>Rank.<ol type='i'><li>At the moment player title overwrites first name. We need to use GetMyXXX() calls to fix this shortcut.</li><li>We also need a way to handle special case titles (Captain Hawk vs. Sir Nathaniel) for ranks. If we always use GetMyXXX() calls, we can do the special-case-handling there.</li><li>We also need to differentiate between the name of the rank, and the title the rank gives you (both male and female). That is, Knight gives Sir/Dame + Firstname.</li><li>Once we change all text to correctly use GetMyXXX() calls, we can rewrite UpdateTitle() to not overwrite names.</li></ol></li><li>Gender. We just need to change all /hard-coded/ direct gender-based titles ("Mister") to GetMyXXX() calls. The game already usually uses Address_form.nat which is gender specific.</li><li>Nationality. We need to convert any direct access of Address_form.nat with GetMyAddressForm(NPChar), which will check NPChar's nationality as well as pchar's sex for returning the correct address form. Note that we need to remove all direct calls to the address_form object (which we can do simply with global search-replace, this is the easiest to fix).</li></ol></li><li>Pronouns--gender. Per Lass, I've written GetMyPronounXXX() functions and added them to the other GetMyXXX() functions in dialog_func.c. We will need to replace all him/his pronouns that refer to the player with calls to those functions.</li><li>Anachronisms. For those who like even their dialog as realistic as possible. I know nothing about this, but others do, so please fire away. <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":)" border="0" alt="smile.gif" /></li><li>'Basic' Text problems--grammar, word choice, etc. The text is a translation, and it shows. It needs editing. Sub-note: adding accents and other non-English characters to where they are needed; Kieron has done much of that already but there is probably a good bit left to do.</li><li>Multiple-language readiness<ol type='1'><li>Placing all dialog text in the H files.</li><li>Going through all interface files and making sure all text used exists in common.ini--remember, you don't necessarily have to use an XI_ConvertString() call, that's often automatic, but the text you assign to a string must exist in common.ini or it will not change when language changes.</li><li>Going through all logs and making sure that every time text is logged, the string is translated by a call to XI_ConvertString() and the associated string exists in common.ini</li><li>Going through all location labels--land, sea, and map, and making sure they exist in common.ini for translation, and that the code will use the converted string.</li></ol></li></ol></li><li>Voice<ol type='A'><li>First, we need someone(s) to go through all the voice clips and:<ol type='1'><li>Categorize them (looking at the sound alias INI will help here)--normal/taunt/flee/sound-effect, civilian/soldier/pirate/merchant/etc., nationality, and so forth (I am sure there are other useful categories)</li><li>Write down what's said</li><li>That way, when we need to use a sound clip, we can find the category and then easily see which clip will be best.</li></ol></li><li>Second, we need to use those categories and divide up the sound clips in the alias INIs. No more French-accented quips from Thomas O'Reily!</li><li>With an accurate list of what we have, we'll have a better sense of what we need. And especially with female voice clips, we need a lot. So we need some volunteers to do voice work.</li><li>We can then go back and assign more variety, make taunts and flee sounds used more, etc.</li></ol></li></ol>We have the following aids:<ol type='I'><li>A very talented bunch of folks here. Even if you're not a modder, you can help! We need writing and editing and voice acting and historical knowledge and lots more. This is a great chance for those who may not have been involved previously, but want to, to get involved!</li><li>The game does have built in support for multiple languages, all we need to do is take advantage of it. You can OpenLanguageFile() to get translated text based on the entry name you pass, and you can ConvertString() to find what the local version of a miscellaneous string is from the language's Common.ini file. The game even does some of that automatically--usually strings you assign in interfaces are automatically run through Common.ini looking for a match before they are displayed.</li><li>For automatic dialog address, we have the GetMyXXX() functions in dialog_func.c (added in b12? b11? I forget). They are:<ol type='A'><li>Name/Title:<ol type='1'><li>GetMyNationAddress(NPChar, tochar): will return the address form the NPChar's nationality uses for the tochar (often passed PChar)</li><li>GetMyFullName(chr): will return the full name of character chr (Title + Firstname + Middlename + Lastname)</li><li>GetMyFormalName(chr): will return character chr's title + lastname, or default_title if no title specified. We need to fix this! Both for two different default titles (for two sexes) and for which name portion a title uses (last or first).</li><li>GetMyName(chr): will return the plain name of character chr (firstname + lastname). Question: What should we do about middle names?</li><li>GetMyAddressForm(NPChar, tochar, int addresstype): Can be passed -1 for type to choose address type based on NPChar, or can be passed one of the defined types (in the block above the function define in dialog_func.c). Currently just uses NationAddress. Feel free to mod this.</li></ol></li><li>Pronoun:<ol type='1'><li>GetMyPronounSubj(chr): he/she based on gender of chr</li><li>GetMyPronounObj(chr): him/her</li><li>GetMyPronounPoss(chr): his/hers</li><li> Special: GetMyPronoun(chr, model). Where chr is the character and model is one of the desired pair. I.e. GetMyPronoun(PChar, "his") would return his if pchar is male or hers if pchar is female. This is so you don't have to remember what the desired pronoun function is called.</li></ol></li></ol></li><li>For voice clips: we can add the character's nation as a prefix to the PlaySoundType() calls that trigger citizen/merchant/etc. clips.</li></ol>Attached is the updated dialog_func.c file that has those new pronoun functions. Let me know if they work right for everyone. <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":)" border="0" alt="smile.gif" />

EDIT: My original upload didn't work (forgot some 'break' statements). Fixed now.
EDIT: Now has current form of GetMyAddressForm; what used to be this is now GetMyNationAddress, and the former now chooses what other address function to use. Attachment updated.
 
<img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/w00t.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":woot" border="0" alt="w00t.gif" /> WOW, Nathan, nice job! <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/me.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":onya" border="0" alt="me.gif" />

Some thoughts:

IMO, the "Sir Nathaniel" and "Captain Hawk" should be from two separate types - i.e., the merchants might call him Captain Hawk while the governors and military should call him Sir Nathaniel... Also there are certain people who of course are a bit more familiar with Hawk and can call him Captain Nathaniel, like perhaps the quest people he is working with... And finally, Danielle can naturally call him Nathaniel...

We need to replace Danielle with some MALE type (switch Danielle with Nathaniel?) if our main character will be female, so we can still do the main quest... Hm?

Regarding the soundbytes, I am glad you suggested we take care of this, it will be wonderful to hear the correct sounds in the correct places. AND I say we just delete that "French quality and service are yours, M'sieur!" soundbyte altogether! <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/icon_wink.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=";)" border="0" alt="icon_wink.gif" /> <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="xD:" border="0" alt="laugh.gif" />

Just some ramblings. I'm sure I'll come up with other things later after I've stopped digesting my dinner and the blood comes back into my brain. <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/rolleyes.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":rolleyes:" border="0" alt="rolleyes.gif" /> LOL!!! <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":D" border="0" alt="biggrin.gif" />
 
( In re 'you', much of that's from Lass, to be clear. <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":)" border="0" alt="smile.gif" />

Also, I had to edit it a few times, so what you read may have changed. <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/oops3.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":eek:ops2" border="0" alt="oops3.gif" /> )

Re: sir/captain/etc. What I meant by that was, if your rank is Captain, GetFormal() should return title + lastname, but if your rank is Knight, it should be title + firstname.
However, you bring up a valid point, the non-rank usage of captain; and that different people should use different address forms.

(I have some trouble with Captain Nathaniel as it smacks of the 'Marse Robert' form of address. But that's a personal hangup, and should not interfere with textual accuracy/realism.)

Perhaps an overfunction that checks NPC type and spits out the appropriate address type?
Err, I don't mean to take the human out of dialog generation per se; but I'd love to have a robust random-character/quest/dialog backend that we can feed start parameters and let go, not have to hand-craft everything
 
<!--QuoteBegin-NathanKell+Jun 26 2005, 07:31 PM--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(NathanKell @ Jun 26 2005, 07:31 PM)</div><div class='quotemain'><!--QuoteEBegin-->Err, I don't mean to take the human out of dialog generation per se; but I'd love to have a robust random-character/quest/dialog backend that we can feed start parameters and let go, not have to hand-craft everything <div align="right">[snapback]119089[/snapback]</div><!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd--> 'Twould be a wonderous thing indeed! <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/yes.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":yes" border="0" alt="yes.gif" /> <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/par-ty.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":cheers" border="0" alt="par-ty.gif" />

I never thought of "Captain Nathaniel" as being subservient, per se... Just less formal than "Captain Hawk" and more likely something that his shipmates might call him as opposed to merchants or townspeople who do not know him well enough to call him by his "Christian name"... Remember, this is late 1600's England - actually a lot of men who are REALLY familiar with him would still tend to call him "Hawk" rather than "Nathaniel"...

Think, perhaps, of how it was handled in "Master and Commander" with Aubrey and Maturin, or Aubrey and his officers, and the crew and the officers... That would probably be closest, I'd imagine.

<img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/dunno.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":shrug" border="0" alt="dunno.gif" /> Whatever sounds right, I suppose... <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/icon_mrgreen1.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":cheeky" border="0" alt="icon_mrgreen1.gif" />
 
Great stuff all,how yer addressed depend'n on who's bend'n yer ear would be great,sound clips in inappropiate places is very annoy'n,especially when they keep repeat'n it,so I will volunteer ter organize them an write down whats said,Will start this week, Catalina, ye should volunteer ter do female voices,always wanted ter hear what ye sounded like <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="xD:" border="0" alt="laugh.gif" /> <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/par-ty.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":cheers" border="0" alt="par-ty.gif" />
 
<img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/icon_eek.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":shock:" border="0" alt="icon_eek.gif" /> ME RECORD MY OWN VOICE FOR THIS? <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/icon_eek.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":shock:" border="0" alt="icon_eek.gif" /> <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/mybad.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":facepalm" border="0" alt="mybad.gif" /> <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/no.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":no" border="0" alt="no.gif" /> <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/24.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":rofl" border="0" alt="24.gif" />

Heh, I could probably do some funny stuff for Ines Diaz! <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="xD:" border="0" alt="laugh.gif" />
 
Well, if Catalina makes some more kids, I could do some voice-acting. And I can write dialogs, I think. That's all I can do. <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tongue.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":blah:" border="0" alt="tongue.gif" />

<img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/me.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":onya" border="0" alt="me.gif" />
 
Heheh, well, I am only part to blame for this, Nathan! <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/razz.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":razz" border="0" alt="razz.gif" />

As usual it is all working together! <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/yes.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":yes" border="0" alt="yes.gif" />


Anyway, I should be able to get a microphone together and since I tend to work with sound and music I got the software for it. <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/yes.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":yes" border="0" alt="yes.gif" />

But, yes, Cat, I was getting sooo tired of the enemies of France offering their quality to me! <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="xD:" border="0" alt="laugh.gif" /> I thought I worked for them, so why would they want to sell me the stuff of the enemy, eh? <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/whistling.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":wp" border="0" alt="whistling.gif" />

And the poor guy sneezing in the church non-stop, heheh! How about a few mumbled prayers instead, eh? <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=";)" border="0" alt="wink.gif" />

And so on, and on... <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile2.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":))" border="0" alt="smile2.gif" />


Mind you, I do very much enjoy the "atmospheric sounds" as they make it all come to life, so to speak.


What we need to do, as Nathan says, is organise this a bit. <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/yes.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":yes" border="0" alt="yes.gif" />

Like Skull, making the list of the current files, for instance. <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/me.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":onya" border="0" alt="me.gif" />

And Cat and Rico for recording some voices later, perhaps? <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":)" border="0" alt="smile.gif" />


I am good with editing sound, applying effects and making voice sound differently, so I could do that once we get that far. Possibly even record a few. <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/whistling.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":wp" border="0" alt="whistling.gif" />

I can write dialogue and, if people want, make sure the new dialogue stays within the time-frame: no "Wazzap, dude?" to pick an extreme, and even "Hello" was not used back then - hello (recorded use in 1880's) stems from Hallo (1840's - a cry of surprise), which comes from Halloo (1700's), which was used to urge on hunting-dogs, heheh.

The usual way to greet someone was "good morning" etc, and then the old "greetings" of course. Also, "sir" /suggesting "gentleman) was of course often used as a polite form of address, and "ma'am" for the women (suggesting "gentlewoman").

Mind you, back then "mistress" was pronounced that way (female equilant of "master", from French) and only later did it come to mean "female lover", still pronounced "mistress", with the short-hand "Mrs" taking over the "missus" (female master of the household). <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=";)" border="0" alt="wink.gif" /> And "Mr" was short for Master, later turning into "Mister"... <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/rolleyes.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":rolleyes:" border="0" alt="rolleyes.gif" />

Ahem. <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/oops3.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":eek:ops2" border="0" alt="oops3.gif" /> Sorry for the rant, I just have this interest in languages... <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/unsure.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":?" border="0" alt="unsure.gif" />
 
<!--QuoteBegin-High Sea Lass+Jun 27 2005, 06:00 AM--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(High Sea Lass @ Jun 27 2005, 06:00 AM)</div><div class='quotemain'><!--QuoteEBegin-->And the poor guy sneezing in the church non-stop, heheh!<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd--> Oh, I love the timing you can sometimes get when you walk into a church, and upon talking to the priest, you hear the sneeze, and the priest then says "Bless you, my child." <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/24.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":rofl" border="0" alt="24.gif" />

Ambient noise is all well and good when you are outside, or in a place like the tavern where there are people around - but did you ever think it was odd to hear all those mumbled prayers and sneezes and stuff when you were in an empty church???

I remember the first time I played the game and went into a church - heard the background noise and thought, <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/icon_eek.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":shock:" border="0" alt="icon_eek.gif" /> there are SPIES in this empty church, hiding behind THOSE DOORS (which do not open!). <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/urgh.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":urgh" border="0" alt="urgh.gif" /> Fooled again! <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/rolleyes.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":rolleyes:" border="0" alt="rolleyes.gif" /> <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="xD:" border="0" alt="laugh.gif" />

Ah but I am exercising my <i>considerable</i> talent in digression... Sorry. <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/oops3.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":eek:ops2" border="0" alt="oops3.gif" />
<!--quoteo--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->I am good with editing sound, applying effects and making voice sound differently, so I could do that once we get that far.  Possibly even record a few.  <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/whistling.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":wp" border="0" alt="whistling.gif" /><!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd--> Wonderful! <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/me.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":onya" border="0" alt="me.gif" />
<!--quoteo--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->The usual way to greet someone was "good morning" etc, and then the old "greetings" of course.  Also, "sir" /suggesting "gentleman) was of course often used as a polite form of address, and "ma'am" for the women (suggesting "gentlewoman").<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd--> At our Renaissance festival here we use "Good morrow" for good morning, and "grammercy" for thank you, among other things. "M'lady" for the women, "Gentles" for a group of people, and all the rest, just as you say. <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/yes.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":yes" border="0" alt="yes.gif" />

One trouble, however, in using language that is PERIOD, is that few people today really "get it", especially if English is not their native language. I try to be mindful of that when I write anything for my quests - but of course could not compromise when it came to "Fred Bob-speak" - and unfortunately his speech seems to confuse some people, so you can see what I mean... <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/dunno.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":shrug" border="0" alt="dunno.gif" />

No need to apologise for your interest in languages, IMO it's a fascinating subject, methinks! <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/icon_wink.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=";)" border="0" alt="icon_wink.gif" /> <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":)" border="0" alt="smile.gif" />
 
<!--QuoteBegin-CatalinaThePirate+Jun 27 2005, 04:28 PM--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(CatalinaThePirate @ Jun 27 2005, 04:28 PM)</div><div class='quotemain'><!--QuoteEBegin-->but did you ever think it was odd to hear all those mumbled prayers and sneezes and stuff when you were in an empty church???<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Heheh, yeah! We should put in some people there, at least a la that new, clever boat that's in the latest PotCMods! <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile2.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":))" border="0" alt="smile2.gif" />

<!--QuoteBegin-CatalinaThePirate+Jun 27 2005, 04:28 PM--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(CatalinaThePirate @ Jun 27 2005, 04:28 PM)</div><div class='quotemain'><!--QuoteEBegin--><!--quoteo--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->The usual way to greet someone was "good morning" etc, and then the old "greetings" of course.  Also, "sir" /suggesting "gentleman) was of course often used as a polite form of address, and "ma'am" for the women (suggesting "gentlewoman").<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd--> At our Renaissance festival here we use "Good morrow" for good morning, and "grammercy" for thank you, among other things. "M'lady" for the women, "Gentles" for a group of people, and all the rest, just as you say. <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/yes.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":yes" border="0" alt="yes.gif" /><!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
<img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/yes.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":yes" border="0" alt="yes.gif" /> Yes, that is also very good.

<!--QuoteBegin-CatalinaThePirate+Jun 27 2005, 04:28 PM--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(CatalinaThePirate @ Jun 27 2005, 04:28 PM)</div><div class='quotemain'><!--QuoteEBegin-->One trouble, however, in using language that is PERIOD, is that few people today really "get it", especially if English is not their native language.  I try to be mindful of that when I write anything for my quests - but of course could not compromise when it came to "Fred Bob-speak" - and unfortunately his speech seems to confuse some people, so you can see what I mean...  <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/dunno.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":shrug" border="0" alt="dunno.gif" /><!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Yes, it must be kept "sensible", as per "realistic combat" - it should give a nice flavour without going overboard... <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/whistling.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":wp" border="0" alt="whistling.gif" /> <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=";)" border="0" alt="wink.gif" />

Oh, and English is not my native language. <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/no.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":no" border="0" alt="no.gif" /> That would be Swedish! <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile2.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":))" border="0" alt="smile2.gif" />

"Hallo, mai neim is Inga and Aye am fromm Sveeden!" <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="xD:" border="0" alt="laugh.gif" />

<!--QuoteBegin-CatalinaThePirate+Jun 27 2005, 04:28 PM--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(CatalinaThePirate @ Jun 27 2005, 04:28 PM)</div><div class='quotemain'><!--QuoteEBegin-->No need to apologise for your interest in languages, IMO it's a fascinating subject, methinks!  <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/icon_wink.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=";)" border="0" alt="icon_wink.gif" />  <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":)" border="0" alt="smile.gif" /><div align="right">[snapback]119152[/snapback]</div><!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Arr! Uh, I mean... Yes, that is certainly is! <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/yes.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":yes" border="0" alt="yes.gif" />
 
<!--QuoteBegin-High Sea Lass+Jun 27 2005, 10:19 AM--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(High Sea Lass @ Jun 27 2005, 10:19 AM)</div><div class='quotemain'><!--QuoteEBegin-->"Hallo, mai neim is Inga and Aye am fromm Sveeden!"  <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="xD:" border="0" alt="laugh.gif" /> <div align="right">[snapback]119241[/snapback]</div><!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd--> Oh boy... You've no idea of the MEMORIES that phrase brought back! <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/rolleyes.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":rolleyes:" border="0" alt="rolleyes.gif" /> <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/icon_wink.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=";)" border="0" alt="icon_wink.gif" /> <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="xD:" border="0" alt="laugh.gif" /> <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/whistling.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":wp" border="0" alt="whistling.gif" />

You know what I mean, though, about languages - if you're not on top of the language, you won't necessarily get the vernacular. Just like if you'd spell it like you said above - some people might not understand it. <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":)" border="0" alt="smile.gif" />
 
<!--QuoteBegin-CatalinaThePirate+Jun 27 2005, 08:07 PM--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(CatalinaThePirate @ Jun 27 2005, 08:07 PM)</div><div class='quotemain'><!--QuoteEBegin--><!--QuoteBegin-High Sea Lass+Jun 27 2005, 10:19 AM--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(High Sea Lass @ Jun 27 2005, 10:19 AM)</div><div class='quotemain'><!--QuoteEBegin-->"Hallo, mai neim is Inga and Aye am fromm Sveeden!"  <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="xD:" border="0" alt="laugh.gif" /> <div align="right">[snapback]119241[/snapback]</div><!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd--> Oh boy... You've no idea of the MEMORIES that phrase brought back! <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/rolleyes.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":rolleyes:" border="0" alt="rolleyes.gif" /> <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/icon_wink.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=";)" border="0" alt="icon_wink.gif" /> <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="xD:" border="0" alt="laugh.gif" /> <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/whistling.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":wp" border="0" alt="whistling.gif" /><div align="right">[snapback]119329[/snapback]</div><!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
So, do tell me! I'm not going anywhere... <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=";)" border="0" alt="wink.gif" /> <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="xD:" border="0" alt="laugh.gif" />

Yes, so if we keeps things to a more sane level rather than start typing the way they actually spoke back then it should be fine. <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/yes.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":yes" border="0" alt="yes.gif" />

After all, I doubt they would understand us, or we them! <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/rolleyes.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":rolleyes:" border="0" alt="rolleyes.gif" />
 
<!--QuoteBegin-Jason+Jun 26 2005, 11:32 PM--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Jason @ Jun 26 2005, 11:32 PM)</div><div class='quotemain'><!--QuoteEBegin-->NK -- We will need a general clearing house and several pairs of eyes on this. 

I am willing to work on it but will need direction.  It will be essential to get all the dialog downloaded in a text file, then we will need some to help with forms of address in each language for the various ranks and levels of nobility and some good proof readers (which I am not). 

Also what are your thoughts about timing the work.

Let me know. <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/poet.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":hmm" border="0" alt="poet.gif" />
<div align="right">[snapback]119102[/snapback]</div><!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Jason: Absolutely.
We need for someone(s) to do a 'first pass' through all the dialog files and place all text in the C into the respective H files.
And either a second pass with someone(s) else, or that same someone(s) to do the edit work.
Re: list rank/address choices. Yep.
Timing--basically, now until it's done. <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/happy.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="^_^" border="0" alt="happy.gif" />
I think basically we shouldn't try to hold up 12.2 for it, but I think putting whatever gets done before release into 12.2 is fine rather than reserving it all for 13 (though that's an option too of course).
--------
Skull: Great! That'll be a tremendous help.

Voice acting: I can do Miscellaneous Young American Male. Not exactly an exotic or terribly useful category. <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="xD:" border="0" alt="laugh.gif" />

Lass: <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/doff.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":doff" border="0" alt="doff.gif" />, the only thing to do when razzed. <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/icon_mrgreen1.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":cheeky" border="0" alt="icon_mrgreen1.gif" />
Great that you can do the sound-editing!

I'll just generally agree with what you and Cat are saying re: period language, the balance you're talking about sounds perfect to me.
-------
Rather than my constantly editing the first post (as I thought to do) I'm going to put it all up on the <a href="http://robotsdontbleed.com/wacko/wakka.php?wakka=POTCwiki" target="_blank">wiki</a> so people can sign up and add things interactively.
(I believe all you need do to post on the wiki is register).
 
On the wiki. On the first page, 'Text And Voice Project.'

Please sign yourselves up and add/change stuff there, but also please drop a note here if/when you do.

Or if you can't register, post here and I'll do the edit to it.
 
<!--QuoteBegin-High Sea Lass+Jun 27 2005, 01:40 PM--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(High Sea Lass @ Jun 27 2005, 01:40 PM)</div><div class='quotemain'><!--QuoteEBegin-->So, do tell me!  I'm not going anywhere...  <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=";)" border="0" alt="wink.gif" />  <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="xD:" border="0" alt="laugh.gif" /> <div align="right">[snapback]119380[/snapback]</div><!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd--> <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="xD:" border="0" alt="laugh.gif" /> Eeeengah and Grrrrrettchhen = two gay guys I knew... <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/rolleyes.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":rolleyes:" border="0" alt="rolleyes.gif" /> Delightfully funny, great guys, silly and not afraid to be so... (remember, you asked for it!) 'Nuff said, I think. <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/icon_mrgreen1.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":cheeky" border="0" alt="icon_mrgreen1.gif" />

Yes, I agree about keeping the language "sane" (whatever that means). A little of it spiced in here and there will add much to the "seasoning" of the game... <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/me.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":onya" border="0" alt="me.gif" />

Thanks, Nathan! The Wiki is the perfect place for this! <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/yes.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":yes" border="0" alt="yes.gif" />
 
<!--QuoteBegin-NathanKell+Jun 27 2005, 10:51 PM--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(NathanKell @ Jun 27 2005, 10:51 PM)</div><div class='quotemain'><!--QuoteEBegin-->We need for someone(s) to do a 'first pass' through all the dialog files and place all text in the C into the respective H files.
And either a second pass with someone(s) else, or that same someone(s) to do the edit work.<div align="right">[snapback]119393[/snapback]</div><!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
I can do that first pass. I have started a couple of times and messed up my PotC installation... <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/whistling.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":wp" border="0" alt="whistling.gif" />

And I would do it on my own anyway, as I tend to edit things just because I can! <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="xD:" border="0" alt="laugh.gif" /> Also, I cannot edit much sound until much later, and I want something to do... <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/oops3.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":eek:ops2" border="0" alt="oops3.gif" />

I should go sign up, I suppose.... <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile2.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":))" border="0" alt="smile2.gif" />

<!--QuoteBegin-CatalinaThePirate+Jun 28 2005, 02:14 AM--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(CatalinaThePirate @ Jun 28 2005, 02:14 AM)</div><div class='quotemain'><!--QuoteEBegin-->Yes, I agree about keeping the language "sane" (whatever that means).  A little of it spiced in here and there will add much to the "seasoning" of the game...  <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/me.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":onya" border="0" alt="me.gif" /><div align="right">[snapback]119460[/snapback]</div><!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Exactly, spice it here and there with Ye Olde Words (Pronounced The Old Words) just to give it that flavour without making it taste too strange! <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile2.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":))" border="0" alt="smile2.gif" />

Arr! <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/danse1.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":dance" border="0" alt="danse1.gif" />
 
<!--QuoteBegin-CatalinaThePirate+Jun 27 2005, 11:28 PM--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(CatalinaThePirate @ Jun 27 2005, 11:28 PM)</div><div class='quotemain'><!--QuoteEBegin-->... Ambient noise is all well and good when you are outside, or in a place like the tavern where there are people around - ... <div align="right">[snapback]119152[/snapback]</div><!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
One thing that has always bothered me about the ambient tavern sounds is the "cheap aluminum coins hitting the table" sound!

If I can figure out how to record sounds to my computer .. (haven't done it since Win 3.1) then I might be able to get a real "silver coin" sound in game!
 
That would be great, Petros, I've often thought that same thing about that soundbyte. It's just not "right". <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/no.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":no" border="0" alt="no.gif" />

When you are outside and in a town, you hear dogs and goats, but you never see any. I think we need some dogs and goats (and cats chasing rats!). This, however, does not fall under the SOUNDS category, but is something to consider...

SOUNDS of children playing would be a nice addition, tho... <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/yes.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":yes" border="0" alt="yes.gif" />
 
Missed this in my last post, d'oh... <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/mybad.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":facepalm" border="0" alt="mybad.gif" />

<!--QuoteBegin-CatalinaThePirate+Jun 28 2005, 02:14 AM--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(CatalinaThePirate @ Jun 28 2005, 02:14 AM)</div><div class='quotemain'><!--QuoteEBegin--><!--QuoteBegin-High Sea Lass+Jun 27 2005, 01:40 PM--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(High Sea Lass @ Jun 27 2005, 01:40 PM)</div><div class='quotemain'><!--QuoteEBegin--> So, do tell me!  I'm not going anywhere...  <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=";)" border="0" alt="wink.gif" />  <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="xD:" border="0" alt="laugh.gif" /> <div align="right">[snapback]119380[/snapback]</div><!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd--> <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="xD:" border="0" alt="laugh.gif" /> Eeeengah and Grrrrrettchhen = two gay guys I knew... <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/rolleyes.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":rolleyes:" border="0" alt="rolleyes.gif" /> Delightfully funny, great guys, silly and not afraid to be so... (remember, you asked for it!) 'Nuff said, I think. <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/icon_mrgreen1.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":cheeky" border="0" alt="icon_mrgreen1.gif" /><!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Oh, do tell me more! <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile2.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":))" border="0" alt="smile2.gif" />

...if you dare! <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/whistling.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":wp" border="0" alt="whistling.gif" />


All right, Cat, you go out and record some kids playing!

Petros, it only takes a microphone today, as most computers have got somewhere to plug them in - and then you can, for instance, find a freeware program to record it if you don't wish to use the one in Windows. <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/yes.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":yes" border="0" alt="yes.gif" />
 
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