Peculiarities of Localization of In-Game Dialogues Containing Idioms, Set Expressions and Their Variations

Aim. To clarify the differences between the actual translation and localization, as well as to trace how the identified differences affect the process of linguocultural adaptation of fragments containing phraseological units, set expressions and their variations for the Russian-speaking market.

Methodology. In the course of writing the work, the current scientific literature devoted to localization as a special type of linguocultural adaptation of texts was analyzed. A comparative analysis of a selection of quotes from the dialogues from the game “Divinity: Original Sin” was also carried out. The selection included phraseological units in a traditional form or creatively transformed by the authors of the game. The selected fragments were considered from the viewpoint of structure, origin and the presence of equivalents in Russian.

Results. On the basis of the considered theoretical and practical material, it has been established that in the course of the localization of computer games, the priority is given to the adequate transfer of the key content for going through the game and compliance with the technical requirements for the translation text, rather than to the artistic originality of the source text. This is especially noticeable when translating such difficult for linguistic and cultural adaptation units as phraseological units and their variations, since when localizing in-game dialogues, the possibility of using descriptive translation or explanations is extremely limited.

Research implications. The theoretical significance of the study lies in the fact that the work gives an attempt of further distinguishing between literary translation and localization of in-game artistic and narrative texts and dialogues. The practical significance is due to the fact that attention is paid to such an object of translation as phraseological units and how the translation of such units is complicated by the peculiarities of localization as a specific type of translation activity.

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