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[Hagen Robaar]

Hello everyone,

I've only one and a half month EVE experience under my belt and would really like to roleplay. Reading a lot of guides, chronicles, forum thread and such things, I decided to lurk in the Summit-channel and contribute a little. But here's the cliff I'm facing: the language. The most important tool in roleplaying is the ability to communicate ... and that's hard if English is only your secondary, seldom used language.

Reading and understanding is not the difficulty, but I have to respond and contribute to the roleplay as well. And you should respond in an appropriate time and convincing style. Where's the point in playing an amarrian noble if he sounds like recently freed, illiterate slave struggling to find the right words (no offence ^^)? I fear that would break immersion and the believability of the character. It could even be rude to you, my fellow roleplayers (the response-lag, spelling mistakes, bad grammar and the use of simple/flat/boring language).

Not even to think joining a roleplaying corporation (but to be fair, I've little information about the expected level of language competence).

Sure, I could evade this problems and head over to the German speaking roleplaying-community, but ... there is non. If I want to roleplay in EVE, I have to do it in the English speaking community.

So, what are your thoughts on this matter?

- Hagen


P.S: This post took the autopilot flight time from Amarr Prime to Ilix-Inis, with all the spelling checking and grammar tweaking.

[Lyn Farel]

I kinda faced the same issue when I started - though not sure of your own level of course - struggling to find the correct sentences, but as long as you take your time it should go well. At least, I never got any issue out of it at the beginning, and after a month you will get all the basic emotes to survive and it will go smoothly. You will probably face a few embarrassing mistakes or confusions a few times, but that's it.

I still at times feel a little constrained but that's really a minor inconvenience.

[Makoto Priano]

If you play in the less-active channels (the lounges, etc), then you'll have more time to respond. Also, the Intergalactic Summit or evemail may be other venues in which to roleplay that would allow you time to compose a response.

Either way, though, looking forward to having you join us. 

[Pieter Tuulinen]

From experience with Dutch and German friends, if you RP regularly with English speaking people it will bootstrap your English as well as give you a command of idiomatic English that is tough to acquire in any other way.

In general I would say that people are pretty understanding of RPers with English as a secondary language, and will do part of the work - correcting your spelling and grammar in their heads and excusing sub-optimal word choices. You will improve quickly.

[Repentence Tyrathlion]

From experience with Dutch and German friends, if you RP regularly with English speaking people it will bootstrap your English as well as give you a command of idiomatic English that is tough to acquire in any other way.

In general I would say that people are pretty understanding of RPers with English as a secondary language, and will do part of the work - correcting your spelling and grammar in their heads and excusing sub-optimal word choices. You will improve quickly.

We've also all met the people whose spelling and grammar is far worse than any second-languager, yet are native to the language

[Morwen Lagann]

From experience with Dutch and German friends, if you RP regularly with English speaking people it will bootstrap your English as well as give you a command of idiomatic English that is tough to acquire in any other way.

In general I would say that people are pretty understanding of RPers with English as a secondary language, and will do part of the work - correcting your spelling and grammar in their heads and excusing sub-optimal word choices. You will improve quickly.

We've also all met the people whose spelling and grammar is far worse than any second-languager, yet are native to the language

More to the point, we're generally willing to help people who are actually trying to put in an effort. Native speakers who type like they're a teenager with an unlimited texting plan and too much to gab about while showing they really don't care enough to be legible are the ones who tend to get poked fun at.

[Vikarion]

I think there's a lot of tolerance for second-language speakers, just let people know. It's those who are primary users but suck at it that tend to get the flak.

[Vic Van Meter]

For the most part, we tend not to bring weird grammar into the discussion as long as we understand it to not be intentional.  That's not just for ESL players, but also because some decent roleplayers just absolutely do not know how to write or spell.  I have a very good friend in WoW that I RP with regularly who is very good at dramatic involvement.  Very fun to play with.  Consistently mangles the language that, unlike you, she definitely grew up learning and speaking.  I let it slide.

You shouldn't have any problem.  If someone does give you crap for grammar, it's usually someone trolling you and not an actual roleplayer.

[Lyn Farel]

Actually I see that happen on a regular basis in Eve RP when other RPers are looking for the low hanging fruit. Some people would go to incredible lengths to win at RP.

[Esna Pitoojee]

Indeed.

Hagen, here is my suggestion: Try. It can't hurt. Nobody will hunt you down for sounding "imperfect", and many will give you the time you need if you are making a good effort.

[Hagen Robaar]

Thank you all - that sounds encouraging. I will follow your advice and dive into playing.

- Hagen

[Nicoletta Mithra]

I can only agree with the other Posters here: I never had much problems with english being a secondary language for me, only if some trolls were going for the low hanging fruit. The RP community is quite understanding in regard to NNSs.

[Vincent Pryce]

The more you use the language the more proficient you become and don't hesitate to hit Merriam-Webster for synonyms or just for what ever reason. Like Nicoletta said there will always be people who will shit on you for bad grammar, use it to attack you and your character just out of spite. That's the part you need to learn to deal with, ignore and move on.

[Havohej]

Indeed.

Hagen, here is my suggestion: Try. It can't hurt. Nobody will hunt you down for sounding "imperfect", and many will give you the time you need if you are making a good effort.

This and what everybody else has said.

We have accepted Dame Death and his inability to spell corrrectly for years (even if we tease him about it because English IS his first language), you'll have little to no trouble at all.  Welcome to Eve and Backstage

[Odelya]

Actually I see that happen on a regular basis in Eve RP when other RPers are looking for the low hanging fruit. Some people would go to incredible lengths to win at RP.

I agree!

For me English serves as a kind of shield, a layer of protection and differentiation between me and my character. I couldn't rp in my native language.