[game_edu] Language Neutral Games

[Brock Dubbels]

I am with you Allan,

the entire field of semiotics looks at any expression as an attempt at
language.

the concept of "literacy" is based upon this premise.

there are two reasons for our big brains:

1. Action
2. Communication (gossip)

Maybe the issue is deciding what is takes for an expression to be
identified as language.

For example,  play is expressed through modes of expression, and we can
design to invite people for play, just as we can design for threat.

Skeuomorphs are good examples. However,  people may understand what
something signifies, but not what it means. An example that comes to mind
is the ▶︎

this means "play" generally, but it used to indicate the direction the
magnetic tape of a music cassette. One could also ◀︎ reverse the direction
with a fancy player.



Best regards,

Brock
------------------------------------

Brock R. Dubbels, PhD.,
Consumer Insights & User Experience Design
Dept. Psychology, Neuroscience, & Behavior
McMaster University
Canada: 905.577.2535; USA: 415.968.9072

Editor-in-Chief, International Journal of Games and Computer-Mediated
Simulations
Published Quarterly. Peer-Reviewed, Est. 2009.

On Thu, Nov 26, 2015 at 1:04 PM, Allan Fowler <allan_fowler at hotmail.com>
wrote:

> Ok Brock, I'm going to bite:
>
> If we accept that language is "the system of communication used by a
> particular community or country", then the term 'language neutral' is an
> oxymoron.
>
> If we accept this definition, then words, pictures, sounds, gestures,
> facial expressions, camera movement etc. are all 'languages'.
>
> As noted, there are games that do not use spoken language and there are
> games that do not use written language. There are also games that use
> minimal language that is generally understood by the community (usually in
> English). If the question is about these games, then it should be
> possible to get the author of the question a list.
>
> Allan
>
>
> ------------------------------
> From: brock.dubbels at gmail.com
> Date: Thu, 26 Nov 2015 12:36:26 -0600
> To: ai864 at yahoo.com; game_edu at igda.org
> Subject: Re: [game_edu] Language Neutral Games
>
>
> there is no such things as language neutral -- discuss
>
> Best regards,
>
> Brock
> ------------------------------------
>
> Brock R. Dubbels, PhD.,
> Consumer Insights & User Experience Design
> Dept. Psychology, Neuroscience, & Behavior
> McMaster University
> Canada: 905.577.2535; USA: 415.968.9072
>
> Editor-in-Chief, International Journal of Games and Computer-Mediated
> Simulations
> Published Quarterly. Peer-Reviewed, Est. 2009.
>
> On Thu, Nov 26, 2015 at 12:21 PM, Ian Schreiber via game_edu <
> game_edu at igda.org> wrote:
>
> By "language neutral" I assume you mean games that use icons and pictures
> with a minimum of text?
>
> I'd look in the literature on UI design, iconography, and semiotics.
>
> And also look at language-independent games, of which there are many - not
> just board games, but also video games (think of how many retro arcade
> games, especially, had no text and minimal instructions; also look at games
> like Journey which have simple controls and no text throughout the
> experience).
>
> I would also say to look at not just language-neutral but also
> culture-neutral (some icons and colors have drastically different meanings
> across cultures) but in this case it sounds like the target audience is all
> of a specific culture so that's less of a problem.
>
> - Ian
>
> ------------------------------
> *From:* Mike Reddy <doctormikereddy at gmail.com>
> *To:* game_edu at igda.org
> *Sent:* Thursday, November 26, 2015 3:51 AM
> *Subject:* [game_edu] Language Neutral Games
>
> Hi all,
>
> I have a student developing an educational game to teach primary school
> children about Bulgarian history. He¹s identified the need for the game to
> be accessible, through as language neutral an interface as possible;
> children as young as 5-7 could be playing. However, in his own research he
> has not found much information about language neutral design, apart from
> the sources I gave him on board game design. Any suggestions?
> --
> Dr. Mike Reddy FRSA FHEA
> Future Technology and Games | Technoleg y Dyfodol a Gemau
> Engineering & Computing | Peirianneg a Chyfrifiadureg
> University of South Wales | Prifysgol De Cymru,
> CF37 1DL
>
> Tel | Ffôn: 01443 482 596
> Mob | Symudol: 07971 170 199
> http://www.southwales.ac.uk
>
>
>
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