Original post by Vanquish Let me just explain that from my experience, the whole "deciphering languages" thing can get really old, really quickly.
Just to explain...I love language and words. So you'd think that I would welcome the challenge...and I do but...
For example in EverQuest the fact that you had to learn a language to speak to someone that had a certain quest...was h-o-r-r-i-b-l-e.
I suppose Im just saying that you might want to think twice before you decide on this for core gameplay.
Hence having comunication with the player take place in a pidgin trade tongue that is effectively English without the grammar (or a lot of vocabulary) - the other language would just be for overheard conversations...
I've just read the second tome to Orson Scott Card's Ender's Saga, and it happens that there is a alien race that has FOUR different languages inherent to itself, PLUS the two it learned from the colons.
So here is a thought to consider.
Languages are learned so that CHARACTERS can communicate between themselves.
Let's take an exemple from any fantasy settings. Elves, Ogres, Trolls and Humans. And Orcs, for the WoW fans. Each race has had a different evolution, and a different language. Each race starts out speaking a language that only the other characters belonging to that race understands. When anyone NOT belonging to the same race hears(reads) things that that character said, it just turns out to be a mumble of no recognizable sound pattern (randomized letters cyphering) You tend to pick up the odd bits of speech as you hear more of that particular language, and can even get to a full translation. You may gain ten times language experience if you get a translation right after the line. It could be an interesting feature. It would add to roleplay, I think.
It could create segregationist groups, and meddling groups, and ultimately, al the powergamers would be meddling, but the point is you CAN roleplay your character as a segregationist, even if it is not good, gamewise.
I've always thought that (coercive) roleplaying was quite good, ie. you define a character's abilities through gameplay. Ie. Giving them certain needs that must be met (ie. a bear needs to eat X amount of food a day), certain abilities (Big claws, ability to roll cars over if there is someone / something in it).
So a dog,
Can't talk except through body-language, growling, and holding objects in its mouth.
Needs to eat each day, want's to defend its territory, obeys his master if trained, will run after thrown items like balls.
Can roll in mud, eat old food from trash cans, poop in public,wee on lampposts. Swim in lakes, sniff other dogs' bottoms.
