Translation and Localization of Video Games: An Analysis of Uncharted 4 in Turkish

Abstract

The aim of this study is to assist game designers, game producers, and video game translators with translation procedures and open doors for future research in the field by offering comparative research following a descriptive method. Globalization and technological advancements have grown academic interest, as well as video game and localization sectors, and understanding the video game translation process is crucial. This study compares the original English subtitles of the video game Uncharted 4 with the professionally adapted Turkish subtitles. Each sentence in Uncharted 4 was coded, and 67 dialogue lines were picked from a wide range of lines that the three coders thought were notable and would fit well within the scope of the study. The coders re-examined the game’s 67 lines in order to achieve an agreement on the suggested lines and the translation approach employed in the dialogue. The video game Uncharted 4 was chosen due to the coders’ contextual awareness of the game series, its global success, and its appeal in the Turkish market as a result of its Turkish version. The translation professionals’ perspectives as coders on the analysis aims to provide additional support for findings and suggestions. The main variables of the study are Domestication and Foreignization, Transcreation, Keeping the Original Language, Literal Translation, Remaining Loyal to the Origin and Re-creating Meaning and Humor.