Full Games List
Featured Games
New Games
Reviews
Media
Images
Blogs
Game Updates
Images Feedback Summary
Game Design Highlights
Tutorials
Articles
Scripts
Utilities / Plugins
Resources
Engines
Engine Bulletins
What is Makerscore?
Past Events
Achievements
Misaos
Forums
Post History
Chat
New to RMN?
Full Store List
RMN Music Pack (free)
HAVE YOU LEARNED ENGLISH WHILE DEVELOPING GAMES ON RM?
Posts
RafaelLeon
View playlists
CloseDear all,
Recently I've become more and more interested in investigating the link between language learning and gameplay/game development (I'm an applied linguist). I don't post much here, but I've been browsing threads of all sorts for some time now and I realized that many members don't have English as their native language, even though they (or you) speak English quite fluently.
So, I have some questions for you guys (and I wish you'd take some of your time to answer this; I might develop a paper on it, if you consent, of course):
1) Has forum usage (posting and viewing forums) helped you to develop your writing and reading skills in the English language? If yes, how?
2) Has game development on RPG Maker (along with forum usage, or without forum usage) helped you to develop skills in the English language? If yes, how?
This is particularly intriguing to me on a personal level, since I've been frequenting forums for quite a long time and I've always thought of how my English skills have improved considerably when interacting with other people towards the same goal (developing a game, for instance).
Thank you in advance!
Recently I've become more and more interested in investigating the link between language learning and gameplay/game development (I'm an applied linguist). I don't post much here, but I've been browsing threads of all sorts for some time now and I realized that many members don't have English as their native language, even though they (or you) speak English quite fluently.
So, I have some questions for you guys (and I wish you'd take some of your time to answer this; I might develop a paper on it, if you consent, of course):
1) Has forum usage (posting and viewing forums) helped you to develop your writing and reading skills in the English language? If yes, how?
2) Has game development on RPG Maker (along with forum usage, or without forum usage) helped you to develop skills in the English language? If yes, how?
This is particularly intriguing to me on a personal level, since I've been frequenting forums for quite a long time and I've always thought of how my English skills have improved considerably when interacting with other people towards the same goal (developing a game, for instance).
Thank you in advance!
I don't develop anything here, but I've been frequenting some English-speaking boards for quite a while.
So 1) it is. I've developed my reading skills thanks to manga, games and other media, so the change has been quite easy on me. I've had a hard time to write longer posts, though. It's something I wouldn't have done if I wasn't forced to (which is rare, even in school), as I simply have no need for it.
It's not that I haven't been able to, but it simply didn't come fluently. The same with actually speaking, although not to that degree.
Since interaction is a great thing you want to do, you will keep at it and thus gain more practice and routine. This may not make your posts more eloquent, but easier to write.
Interacting also allows to have view over more varied expressions and intents. You'll notice subtle differences in style according to the words and expressions used as well as new vocabulary and perhaps dialect differences.
And since we visit boards long-term, we will keep at it and store the knowledge. Easy as that. You can do so much if only you need to.
I never imagined to get so far with my Japanese when I went there, for example. Only a little bit practice made the little I know come quite natural (and the rest was covered up with Engrisu-words inbetween). But I did. Hell, I could even ask for some specific direction
So 1) it is. I've developed my reading skills thanks to manga, games and other media, so the change has been quite easy on me. I've had a hard time to write longer posts, though. It's something I wouldn't have done if I wasn't forced to (which is rare, even in school), as I simply have no need for it.
It's not that I haven't been able to, but it simply didn't come fluently. The same with actually speaking, although not to that degree.
Since interaction is a great thing you want to do, you will keep at it and thus gain more practice and routine. This may not make your posts more eloquent, but easier to write.
Interacting also allows to have view over more varied expressions and intents. You'll notice subtle differences in style according to the words and expressions used as well as new vocabulary and perhaps dialect differences.
And since we visit boards long-term, we will keep at it and store the knowledge. Easy as that. You can do so much if only you need to.
I never imagined to get so far with my Japanese when I went there, for example. Only a little bit practice made the little I know come quite natural (and the rest was covered up with Engrisu-words inbetween). But I did. Hell, I could even ask for some specific direction
Hi!
My answer to both is actually no. This might be because we here in my country are force-fed english. If we can't master english, we can't advance. Though being in the forums taught me to be more watchful of my diction. Probably due to the fear of sounding either illiterate or disrespectful.
My answer to both is actually no. This might be because we here in my country are force-fed english. If we can't master english, we can't advance. Though being in the forums taught me to be more watchful of my diction. Probably due to the fear of sounding either illiterate or disrespectful.
Shinan
4314
Yeah internet interatcions have definitely improved my English. It's been very gradual though. I've looked at some really old forum posts of mine occasionally (I try not to but it happens) and it's pretty clear that my English was not quite as good back then. It all has to do with the fact that I essentially use (written) English every day and with that kind of exposure it's hard not to pick up things.
Game development itself probably hasn't had much effect on my English skills. Mostly because I hardly ever develop games but also because game development often is fairly... "programmy". So when writing logical statements to make something work it's not like I am developing English language skills. Writing dialogue is, after all, such a minimal part of game development.
Game development itself probably hasn't had much effect on my English skills. Mostly because I hardly ever develop games but also because game development often is fairly... "programmy". So when writing logical statements to make something work it's not like I am developing English language skills. Writing dialogue is, after all, such a minimal part of game development.
RyaReisender
200
I definitely improved my English mainly due to:
1. Playing English games
2. Writing on English forums
1. Playing English games
2. Writing on English forums
author=karins_soulkeeper
Hi!
My answer to both is actually no. This might be because we here in my country are force-fed english. If we can't master english, we can't advance. Though being in the forums taught me to be more watchful of my diction. Probably due to the fear of sounding either illiterate or disrespectful.
Karins, may I ask where you're from? :)
Thank you all for the responses so far!
Hasvers
1298
Hey, fellow linguist!
1) Very largely. I got started on English by playing Suikoden at eight years old, and most of my fluency comes from games, books (especially genre fiction that was not - or terribly - translated) and obviously the Internet. But my writing abilities exploded in high school, from spending my nights discussing obscure lore on fansites related to various game series. It took me hours to work through every single message I wrote, but it taught me the virtue of google-checking idiomatic expressions, as well as the general rhythm of English-language argumentation. I had a lot more forum activity in English, but I'm quite sure having to defend my ideas in an argumentative context helped much more than just random chatting.
2) Somehow - I've never worked with an English-speaking team, so whatever I've learned from making games stems from writing dialogue or came in indirect ways (for instance I took part to the last NaNoWriMo to work on my ability to write fiction in English, for the sake of future games)
So I would say my English abilities have been acquired in a slightly more antagonistic and less collaborative context than yours ;)
(Nowadays I have to write in English for my job anyway)
1) Very largely. I got started on English by playing Suikoden at eight years old, and most of my fluency comes from games, books (especially genre fiction that was not - or terribly - translated) and obviously the Internet. But my writing abilities exploded in high school, from spending my nights discussing obscure lore on fansites related to various game series. It took me hours to work through every single message I wrote, but it taught me the virtue of google-checking idiomatic expressions, as well as the general rhythm of English-language argumentation. I had a lot more forum activity in English, but I'm quite sure having to defend my ideas in an argumentative context helped much more than just random chatting.
2) Somehow - I've never worked with an English-speaking team, so whatever I've learned from making games stems from writing dialogue or came in indirect ways (for instance I took part to the last NaNoWriMo to work on my ability to write fiction in English, for the sake of future games)
So I would say my English abilities have been acquired in a slightly more antagonistic and less collaborative context than yours ;)
(Nowadays I have to write in English for my job anyway)
Among other things, I'm studying English at university, so I like to think my English was acceptable already. While "internet language" is not necessarily helpful, I found most people on RMN to be quite versed when it comes to the use of language. Now, I wouldn't say game making or being active here has directly improved my (theoretical) knowledge of English as such a lot. However, it definitely helped me practice my active use of English, and that's a very important step towards understanding a language as well.
Zod
120
Hello!
Actually, when I started to consult English forums, my reading level was already pretty high. However, since English is a particularly idiomatic language, forums have allowed me to understand many more modal verbs and hardly evident expressions. Since I'm not a native English speaker, my phrasing tends to be awkward. Nevertheless, given that forum replies are often like "written" oral replies, the phrasing has become more natural. Somehow, it has melted with the environmental style. And, of course, it has helped me to improve my oral skills.
Of course. Well, since I'm not a native speaker, while developing my games, I sometimes think the sentences in Spanish or French. The need of translating them forces me to look the problematic words up in a dictionary and, therefore, to slowly expand my vocabulary skills. It's the same when I have to reply in forums.
Finally, Kylaila interestingly pointed out the fact that, RM being a hobby for most of us, we don't lack the motivation to search the vocabulary we don't have and, in general, to make our sentences understandable by the community.
If you ever decide to make a paper on this subject, you can obviously use these pieces of information. Thus, please inform me as soon as the final product is ready!
See you!
author=RafaelLeon
1) Has forum usage (posting and viewing forums) helped you to develop your writing and reading skills in the English language? If yes, how?
Actually, when I started to consult English forums, my reading level was already pretty high. However, since English is a particularly idiomatic language, forums have allowed me to understand many more modal verbs and hardly evident expressions. Since I'm not a native English speaker, my phrasing tends to be awkward. Nevertheless, given that forum replies are often like "written" oral replies, the phrasing has become more natural. Somehow, it has melted with the environmental style. And, of course, it has helped me to improve my oral skills.
author=RafaelLeon
2) Has game development on RPG Maker (along with forum usage, or without forum usage) helped you to develop skills in the English language? If yes, how?
Of course. Well, since I'm not a native speaker, while developing my games, I sometimes think the sentences in Spanish or French. The need of translating them forces me to look the problematic words up in a dictionary and, therefore, to slowly expand my vocabulary skills. It's the same when I have to reply in forums.
Finally, Kylaila interestingly pointed out the fact that, RM being a hobby for most of us, we don't lack the motivation to search the vocabulary we don't have and, in general, to make our sentences understandable by the community.
If you ever decide to make a paper on this subject, you can obviously use these pieces of information. Thus, please inform me as soon as the final product is ready!
See you!
I'm not native English speaker. Game was the first one which built the basic understanding of English for me. At least I know how to read. And by talking to foreign it improves my English. At least, I knew new several words and phrases. I'm still studying grammars and such though.
I learned how to communicate. But it's different matter about in game language. It seems it requires a lot of vocabularies outside the words we always use in forum. I decided to write the game language in my native language at first. Then ask help from someone to translate my game.
I learned how to communicate. But it's different matter about in game language. It seems it requires a lot of vocabularies outside the words we always use in forum. I decided to write the game language in my native language at first. Then ask help from someone to translate my game.
I've lived in the U.S. all my life. Guess how great my english is :(
Seems like most of you are doing very well.
I especially noticed karins use of contractions. "Can't and Why'd you ask". You're doing great Karins.... better than myself :)
Seems like many of us use contractions.
There once was a comedian who pointed out the way those of us from New York City spoke. Most of our spoken words seemed to run together as though they are attached :) hahahaha like: Thereoncewasacomedianwhopointed....and so on :)
Seems like most of you are doing very well.
I especially noticed karins use of contractions. "Can't and Why'd you ask". You're doing great Karins.... better than myself :)
Seems like many of us use contractions.
There once was a comedian who pointed out the way those of us from New York City spoke. Most of our spoken words seemed to run together as though they are attached :) hahahaha like: Thereoncewasacomedianwhopointed....and so on :)
author=karins_soulkeeper
RafaelLeon, I'm from the Philippines. Why'd you ask?
(am I the only non-westerner here?)
Because you mentioned that in your country you're "forced" to learn English. That's pretty interesting. Here in Brazil it's not considered important at all.
Hasvers
1298
Could be worse. In France it's considered as a matter of pride not to learn English. People mostly see it as a conspiracy by those evil British bastards who only want to invade Aquitaine and make everyone eat crumpets and burn Joan of Arc or something.
author=Hasvers
In France it's considered as a matter of pride not to learn English.
That's also the reason so many Germans learn French additionally to English.
Red_Nova
Sir Redd of Novus: He who made Prayer of the Faithless that one time, and that was pretty dang rad! :D
9192
I'm a native English speaker and I can answer yes to both questions. As someone who suffers from severe ADHD, sometimes I say three different things in one sentence. I want to say a lot, but when I start talking, it comes out as a jumbled mess and no one understands anything I say. My brain races about two sentences ahead of my mouth and I begin to stumble over my words and often say something completely different. When people are talking to me, I begin to zone out and think about other things not even remotely related to what the person is trying to tell me. Often I would have to ask people to repeat what they've just finished saying.
On forums, it's different. Here, I actually have time to collect my thoughts and lay them out in an organized fashion. I can look at my sentences and think, "Is this what I want to say?" After I read over my whole post, I see parts where I don't feel like I made my point clearly, and so I edit it.
It's different for dialogue writing for my games, as well. At first, I just write down whatever comes to mind. As the cutscenes or speeches move along, I find that I begin to stray from my initial intention with off-topic dialogue and such, so I got back and edit the text to make it more focused. Sometimes I reread things my character says and think to myself, "There has to be a better way to say this," so I rewrite and rewrite until I finally have what I want to say.
This procedure has trickled into my real life dialogue now. When someone is talking to me, I can both listen to them and begin forming my own responses immediately. I can select my words better and faster.
On forums, it's different. Here, I actually have time to collect my thoughts and lay them out in an organized fashion. I can look at my sentences and think, "Is this what I want to say?" After I read over my whole post, I see parts where I don't feel like I made my point clearly, and so I edit it.
It's different for dialogue writing for my games, as well. At first, I just write down whatever comes to mind. As the cutscenes or speeches move along, I find that I begin to stray from my initial intention with off-topic dialogue and such, so I got back and edit the text to make it more focused. Sometimes I reread things my character says and think to myself, "There has to be a better way to say this," so I rewrite and rewrite until I finally have what I want to say.
This procedure has trickled into my real life dialogue now. When someone is talking to me, I can both listen to them and begin forming my own responses immediately. I can select my words better and faster.
author=Zod
Hello!
author=RafaelLeon
1) Has forum usage (posting and viewing forums) helped you to develop your writing and reading skills in the English language? If yes, how?
Actually, when I started to consult English forums, my reading level was already pretty high. However, since English is a particularly idiomatic language, forums have allowed me to understand many more modal verbs and hardly evident expressions. Since I'm not a native English speaker, my phrasing tends to be awkward. Nevertheless, given that forum replies are often like "written" oral replies, the phrasing has become more natural. Somehow, it has melted with the environmental style. And, of course, it has helped me to improve my oral skills.
author=RafaelLeon
2) Has game development on RPG Maker (along with forum usage, or without forum usage) helped you to develop skills in the English language? If yes, how?
Of course. Well, since I'm not a native speaker, while developing my games, I sometimes think the sentences in Spanish or French. The need of translating them forces me to look the problematic words up in a dictionary and, therefore, to slowly expand my vocabulary skills. It's the same when I have to reply in forums.
Finally, Kylaila interestingly pointed out the fact that, RM being a hobby for most of us, we don't lack the motivation to search the vocabulary we don't have and, in general, to make our sentences understandable by the community.
If you ever decide to make a paper on this subject, you can obviously use these pieces of information. Thus, please inform me as soon as the final product is ready!
See you!
Thank you for the response! I'll make sure you know when the paper is ready and if I'll publish it.
author=Red_Nova
I'm a native English speaker and I can answer yes to both questions. As someone who suffers from severe ADHD, sometimes I say three different things in one sentence. I want to say a lot, but when I start talking, it comes out as a jumbled mess and no one understands anything I say. My brain races about two sentences ahead of my mouth and I begin to stumble over my words and often say something completely different. When people are talking to me, I begin to zone out and think about other things not even remotely related to what the person is trying to tell me. Often I would have to ask people to repeat what they've just finished saying.
On forums, it's different. Here, I actually have time to collect my thoughts and lay them out in an organized fashion. I can look at my sentences and think, "Is this what I want to say?" After I read over my whole post, I see parts where I don't feel like I made my point clearly, and so I edit it.
It's different for dialogue writing for my games, as well. At first, I just write down whatever comes to mind. As the cutscenes or speeches move along, I find that I begin to stray from my initial intention with off-topic dialogue and such, so I got back and edit the text to make it more focused. Sometimes I reread things my character says and think to myself, "There has to be a better way to say this," so I rewrite and rewrite until I finally have what I want to say.
This procedure has trickled into my real life dialogue now. When someone is talking to me, I can both listen to them and begin forming my own responses immediately. I can select my words better and faster.
Yours in an interesting take! Although it's not related especifically to English language learning, I think your example really tackles the benefits of using forums for writing improvement in general. Just one question (I'm sorry if it's too personal) but have you taken medications for it or you're trying to handle it in different ways?
Thank you all so far :)
