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SS13 and Learning English

Posted: Thu Apr 20, 2023 10:05 pm
by Epoc
SS13 is a game that, at its core, revolves around player conflict and communication. TGstation is an English-language server.
Anecdotally, as seen in ban appeals like this ( viewtopic.php?f=7&t=33885 ), I feel like I've seen more than a few bans for lack of/poor communication where the appellant's primary language isn't English.
This has got me thinking about our player's histories with SS13 and their own language experience.
I know I have found myself getting frustrated with people who seemingly never speak and just walk around collecting items, but it had never occurred to me that they simply might not be comfortable talking in English.

Didn't really have any specific goal with this thread, just wanted to hear people's thoughts.
General discussion topics;
  • Did you have a strong grasp of English when you first began playing?
  • Do you feel as if playing SS13 has improved your language skills?
  • Have you ever felt like being unable to fully express yourself negatively impacted your gameplay?
  • Should/can accommodations be made for people who have difficulty quickly expressing themselves?

Re: SS13 and Learning English

Posted: Fri Apr 21, 2023 12:53 am
by conrad
I learned English watching TV and playing videogames. I would then sleep during English class throughout the entirety of highschool and score straight As. Doesnae work for History tho. Apparently Age of Empires took some liberties. I started playing fluent.

SS13 made my english worse by turning me into a towerposter.

This should be an English speaking server first and foremost. Not because English is better or anything, but because we already have server tribalism and we don't need language tribalism. If you don't know what something means, just ask.

Re: SS13 and Learning English

Posted: Fri Apr 21, 2023 1:16 am
by sinfulbliss
Epoc wrote: Thu Apr 20, 2023 10:05 pmShould/can accommodations be made for people who have difficulty quickly expressing themselves?
It would be nice but there's no possible way to do it. Learn as you play, you don't need much English to play spacemans anyways. But maybe if someone runs into trouble because they can't speak/understand things, it should be taken into consideration by admins (like kieth is doing).

Re: SS13 and Learning English

Posted: Fri Apr 21, 2023 1:18 am
by Shaps-cloud
i remember i did a big batch of message statistics back in like 2019 and the most common messages spoken were by far just all profanities. The #1 most spoken message with at least 3 words was "what the fuck"

Re: SS13 and Learning English

Posted: Fri Apr 21, 2023 5:01 am
by BeeSting12
Shaps-cloud wrote: Fri Apr 21, 2023 1:18 am i remember i did a big batch of message statistics back in like 2019 and the most common messages spoken were by far just all profanities. The #1 most spoken message with at least 3 words was "what the fuck"
sounds about right

Re: SS13 and Learning English

Posted: Fri Apr 21, 2023 5:13 am
by dirk_mcblade
This game makes my English worse

Re: SS13 and Learning English

Posted: Fri Apr 21, 2023 5:38 am
by Bawhoppennn
kieth4 wrote: Thu Apr 20, 2023 10:10 pm Thanks for coming clean, I'm defo a believer in second chances really.

Let me have a think and I'll get back to you.
Man Kieth can't say this and then say NO afterwards
That would be so mean

Re: SS13 and Learning English

Posted: Fri Apr 21, 2023 6:30 am
by kieth4
They English they use is more than eligible though, I've definitely seen way worse.

Re: SS13 and Learning English

Posted: Fri Apr 21, 2023 6:33 am
by kieth4
I also think there's a large amount of people I've seen grow into great English speakers over the years actually, one of my favourite appeals is the toxic terry elitist appeal/ban (did it get appealed? I recall laughing at it.) That guy speaks solid English now which is definitely a progression in his character.