If you don't wanna read all my backstory for writing this, the point of the post is below in yellow. When building a new shop, the things players think of the most is of course what they'll sell, what the place will look like, and prices. And while all of these things have gone into immense consideration while preparing to open my shop (sorta a mix between a casual player shop and a mall is the vibe I'm currently aiming for), I've been paying attention a lot to details that would overall make the player/customer experience better and more enjoyable. Things such as lighting up around chests, as the shop is outdoor market themed with stalls and such, to placing lecterns with books detailing how much you're paying PER singular item (essentially I do the math so you don't have to) so people know exactly what they're paying, but now I've come to a part of the building process that I need help with: secondary language. As players know, Empire Minecraft is a server based out of the United States, where English, despite not legally being the official language of the nation, is the preferred and most spoken. And while EMC is an American server, we have players from all over the world. On each market stall, are signs signifying what can be found inside, and as I write this, each stall has two signs in English, and two in Spanish. I've done this because in the US, by far the second most used language is Spanish, and I figured if I wanted to be considerate and inclusive, I would include signs of both. But looking back on this decision, I've come to the conclusion that if I were to include a second language, Spanish may not be the most useful. EMC has a diverse player pool from all reaches of life, and I wanna know what you'd prefer. The point: EMC requires/asks players to keep public chats in English, as it's an American server, however many times I've seen newer players struggle with English, and ask in community chat once if anyone spoke any specific language who could help. My shop is meant to be considerate, so I'm putting my directional signs around the res in both English and another language, and I wanna know what languages you guys speak most besides English (if you only speak English and will only read the English, please don't feel like you'd necessarily need to vote on this, as this is mostly just for our foreign friends.) Spanish is currently the second choice I'm using, as it's the only language I understand somewhat decently enough to be able to translate simple things in, as well as what the second most spoken is in the US. If English isn't your first/preferred language in personal use (outside of community chat, etc.), please vote on what language you are most comfortable speaking and reading on your own. If your language isn't included, please select other, and let me know in the comments! NOTE: Signs in Minecraft at the moment only allow for Latin letters without accent marks. All language options will be written using the Latin Alphabet. This isn't a large issue, as the only language listed that doesn't use our alphabet is Chinese. Polling will be open for the next seven days, or until 23rd July, at approx. 9:30PM EMC/EDT. **Language options I've posted are based on the top spoken languages in the United States based off studies from the 2010 US Census**
Rip Dutch and German, its great youre attempting to help new players, I do agree the language barrier deters alot of players. Just not entirely sure what can be done about it.
Spanish. I wish it was my primary language, but, not everyone gets their way in life. Though, I'm curious what other people post.
I'm honestly surprised that Spanish was the only European language that made the top list of spoken in the US. Definitely shows how unexpectedly diverse our nation is! I was definitely expecting at least German or French to make the list.
Right. In an ideal scenario, I'd be able to include all langues, but I don't think a single res could fit that many signs! Regardless, it seems Spanish is currently leading, and as of now Spanish is sorta the default second language I've got the signs in already. I've put all the items in item frames in the off chance that someone who doesn't speak English or Spanish comes to try and shop, that way they at least know what they're buying, even if they can't read the signs.
I think you're good if you put signs up in Spanish, French, Dutch and/or German. Those seem to be the most common languages on EMC.
The way my shop is designed, it would be very cluttered with all of those. As much as I want to include as many as possible, I also still want it to look nice, y'know? That's why like I said, I'm making sure to put everything in frames so that anyone who possibly can't read the signs I could fit can still shop (Thank goodness we all at least use the same number system now, at least! )
I think it would be neat and helpful if we had several staff members who were bilingual, especially in spanish since that's a language I see a lot with new players. I understand the english-only rule but it never sat well with me. However, further discussion on that can of worms would be considered controversial and I don't want to upset anyone
No, lol. English is my primary. Latin my secondary. People say latin is a dead language... but I disagree.
I agree that it doesn't necessarily seem fair, but at the same time, I could see why it's a rule. I just thought of maybe suggesting a community chat for Spanish only, or maybe even a second version of all the chats where Spanish is encouraged, and you can toggle to have them visible or not. Maybe just have them labeled SC for the Spanish Comm, SM for market, etc. It would definitely be something I feel a lot of players would appreciate. And even for those who speak English but Spanish is their best/first, maybe they'd just prefer to be able to speak in chat in Spanish. I could also imagine that for those learning Spanish (myself included), I wouldn't mind tuning into a Spanish chat and just reading trying to translate. After all, learning stuff like that is best done with real world application.
Interesting - I don't think I've ever seen someone speak Spanish on EMC... I'd say the languages I see most in chat would be Dutch and German, but why I see those so much I don't know...
