Illarion.org

Are all the online translation websites that bad? I speak and read German just a little. (The result of being an exchange student a century ago.) I've tried, over the years to use it as much as possible just so I don't forget it completely. (It's difficult to find German speakers where I've been living.) I have been using Babelfish to get quick translations when conversing with German speaking players. So far it has been accurate enough it seems. I've not had any German speakers tell me my conversation didn't make sense.
I recall more and more of the language as I play Illarion and also learn new vocabulary daily. I guess my point is that I usually keep a second window open with the translator ready and wonder if any other players do the same? Id like some of the English speaking German players to try Babelfish and see if it gives an accurate translation. Danke sehr.

Milo Bottoms wrote:Are all the online translation websites that bad?

The fulltext translaters are. So if you know a little german grammar, it's better to translate it word by word.

Milo Bottoms wrote: I guess my point is that I usually keep a second window open with the translator ready and wonder if any other players do the same?

I often use www.woerterbuch.info if I do not understand some english words.

I do use it for single words most of the time. I think some of the difficulty is that we are trying to speak in
an ancient style. When we RP we are trying to avoid modern anachronisms and to phrase our language in
what most think is a medieval style. The block translators give a modern version.
I do have another question though. When I was taught German and was using it regularly there were very strict rules for the use of du and sie. It would NEVER be correct to address someone you have just met with "du". In Illarion I rarely see players using the more formal "sie".

www.dict.leo.org I ever use that.

Milo Bottoms wrote:In Illarion I rarely see players using the more formal "sie".

Interesting observation!

I think this has four reasons:

-All chars are buddies. There are no major conflicts.
-The even more formal "ihr" is used instead.
-Some players might restrict formal talking to the nobles. And we have none .
-Some players might be young and do not emerge into the game world too much