Translation hacking in Arabic video game localization

The history and current practices

Bibliographic Data

ID22024869
AuthorsMohammed Al‐Batineh (0000-0002-8219-9900, Yarmouk University), Razan Alawneh (Yarmouk University)
Year2021
Volume10
Issue2
Pages202-230
Publication date2021-11-08
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueTranslation Spaces (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2211-3711 • E-ISSN: 2211-372X
PublisherJohn Benjamins Publishing Company (PUBLISHER • NL)
DOI10.1075/ts.20051.alb
OpenAlexW3197114166
LanguageEN
Citations received5
References cited10

The present article discusses the notion of translation hacking and attempts to chart the history of this practice in the Arabic context. It also discusses the current practices of translation hacking by examining the work of a well-organized online community of Arab translation hackers called Games in Arabic (GiA). To this end, the study adopts two methods for data collection. First, semi-structured interviews were conducted with the first translation hackers in the Arab world in order to document the history of this practice. Second, a cyberethnographic approach was adopted to collect qualitative data related to GiA, including their translation hacking practices and the technologies used to facilitate their collaborative work. Subsequently, this article attempts to reveal the roles played by the different GiA community members in executing their projects and how they control for quality in their work. Ultimately, the article attempts to provide insights into the practice of Arabic game localization performed by amateur translators, hackers, and gamers, in the hope of adding to current professional and pedagogical practices in Arabic game localization

Amateur · Arabic · Computer security · Hacker · Linguistics · Political science · Public relations · Computer Science · Digital Games and Media · Digital Rights Management and Security · Engineering · History · Law · Wikis in Education and Collaboration

Tools

Open DOI