Languages in/around Mythic Europe

[Coregonas]

@callen

@Coregonas

1.- Is there a Score limit regarding languages?
Seems 5 is the maximum useful language level for 99% of the situations. The core book tells 6 as "elegant", but no other AM5 aspect requires this.

Actually, translating without reducing quality requires 6s. And at least one magical tradition uses a language, so that might be like capping Magic Theory at 6.

I didnt knew about the translation requirements (A&A 87). So 6 in both languages and Area Lore 3(in the Book Language Area). Here is some info:

Translating books - what are the rules (if any?)

I don't see why you couldn't gloss as you translate (or even copy) and even add your own comments drectly into the text. It'd be dishonest certainly, but that's different. I'm also of the oppinion that you can do this. If you're honest you just write that the book is a translation with additions. My point is that translating and glossing are two different things. And that if somebody house rules translation to be able to raise quality, if you yourself could write a better book, "translatin…

@callen

@Coregonas

2.- Should the related bonus be a bit lower?
Raising with just 30XP the skill to 6 (lets say Catalan) allows a character to have a
5 in same language (Occitan, Provencal)
4 in same Family (in case catalan, this means one "can hold a conversation with few mistakes" with all inhabitants of the actual spain, france, half italy... and beyond)
3 in all the languages in the group, including all of italy, half of the balkans, austria...

Actually, you're misinterpreting it somewhat. That penalty applies to both speakers. So let's say you get to a score of 7 and try to communicate with a native speaker of a language related to it at -3. Sure, you effectively communicate at 4, but you're communicating with someone at 2. Scores of 4 and 2 talking to each other is far worse than what you list for above for 4.

@Coregonas

3.- In case I train another language, it is clear you dont start from scratch. How should I model this?
I say... Just receive for free the XP equivalent to the level you already know thanks to the related value.

For example, I have catalan level 5, so I understand Genoese level 2. I receive 30 XP for free.

This is where house rules come in. Some have done what you say. But take heed of my comment above. This is not really the equivalent of having the other language at the level you're putting it at.

@Coregonas

4.- Whats the effect of the +1 bonus with same dialect?
I believe this +1bonus adds to communication rolls, but does not increase the "fluency" level.

It gives you an appropriate accent in that dialect. So two native speakers with the same dialect communicate as mutual 6s, while they communicate with someone of another dialect at mutual 4s. That's a pretty quick drop, I would say.

Better some examples to clarify your proposal.
2 persons both talk same dialect at effective level 5 communicate with a + 2 bonus.
2 persons both talk same "dialect", one level 4; the other level 3. They get a +2 bonus (same dialect) and a -3 penalty (under 5), so -1
2 persons both talk same language at effective level 5 communicate with a - 2 bonus.
2 persons both talk same "language", one level 4; the other level 3. They get a -2 bonus (different dialect) and a -3 penalty (under 5). so -5

I understand this bonus/penalty applies only must be aplied to the "Player" Die Roll, in order to succeed whatever purpose. Im not sure now, but seems It does not make sense to penalize both characters, as the total effect should add to 0. Perhaps in some cases this is fine, need to imagine different situations (NPC wants to cooperate with PC / NPC wants to win the point to the PC / and so on)

Seems a house rule (2x different language penalty) can be used as a base for the XP free gain, representing this double effect (lets say speaking / listening). For example, a 6 in Catalan, could default to 4 (50 XP free) in any other Occitan language, to 2 (15 XP free) in any "Western Romance" language, to None in others.