SBT Localization and a roundtable “Language is Relevant”

LANGUAGE IS RELEVANT

Language is always relevant, so we are glad to help the Ukrainian state in these matters in any way we can, if it’s aimed at developing and popularizing the Ukrainian language, especially among young people.

All we need is for the state to finally start realizing its Ukrainian language support program…

On December 18, in Kyiv, at the initiative of the Committee on Humanitarian and Information Policy of Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine with the support of the USAID program “RADA: The Next Generation”, a round table “Language is relevant. Challenges and Tasks of State Language Policy” was held, to which Andrii Yatsechko, a representative of SBT Localization, was also invited. The event was attended by people’s deputies of Ukraine, the Commissioner for the Protection of the State Language, representatives of executive authorities, the National Commission on State Language Standards, public organizations, as well as experts on language policy.

The participants considered the state and dynamics of language processes in Ukraine and the challenges that arise in the field of language policy in wartime and in the future. They discussed steps that ought to be taken to establish the Ukrainian language in all spheres of public life, protect against Russian expansion in the linguistic and cultural space, disseminate cultural products in the Ukrainian language, etc.

ALL WE NEED

During his short, structured speech, Andrii spoke about the biggest problems and needs of Ukrainian players and youth in general.

Why is video game localization important? Our youth is very into gaming, and games aren’t just where they spend their time, they’re also communities forming around each game. And it is essential for us, that these communities speak Ukrainian.

Sometimes it seems that language is relevant for everybody besides the government itself, that it has become the prerogative of volunteers, NGOs, and private companies, but the state doesn’t involve itself too much. That’s the problem we face, with a Russian propaganda narrative that language doesn’t matter also works in gaming.

We are put in a position where we have to prove to developers, that Ukraine needs Ukrainian language in games. Taking advantage of my situation, I have to go to Czechia, talk to Czech developers and convince them, that Ukrainian players will use the Ukrainian localization, and let us produce it for their game. Most developers believe, that having the Russian language in their game makes Ukrainian unnecessary.

In 2019, together with the National Commission of Ukraine on Ukrainian Language Standards, we, Unlocteam, and representatives of other localization organizations started a great work on standardizing video game terminology. After the large-scale Russian invasion, the meetings mostly stopped. 2025 is around the corner, and still the dictionary of video game terminology remaining a work in progress.

We require the state to finally start working on developing the Ukrainian language. We require Government institutes to start working on this matter. Likewise, we require the Academy of Sciences to do the same. We need new Ukrainian dictionaries, the digitalization of existing dictionaries, and all sorts of events like “Youthful Word of the Year” and so on.

Full speech here (2:31:26):

FORUM ON INTERNET MANAGEMENT

We also would like to remind you about the 15th Ukrainian Forum on Internet Management that was held on November 28, and had Andrii Yatsechko from SBT Localization as a speaker (timestamp 7:29:30):

Andrii gave a presentation on the problems of the Ukrainian language in video games and proposed several solutions.

The Ukrainian language is more important than ever, so we need to promote its development, improve education, create and expand dictionaries, create and support Ukrainian language environments.

Let’s continue to work together so that Ukrainianization touches as many game worlds as possible.

December 19, 2024