{"id":2218,"date":"2023-09-13T11:48:05","date_gmt":"2023-09-13T09:48:05","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/81.95.125.200\/~geekypen\/?p=2218"},"modified":"2023-11-28T12:27:25","modified_gmt":"2023-11-28T10:27:25","slug":"board-games-educational-value","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.geekypen.com\/it\/board-games-educational-value\/","title":{"rendered":"Board Games and Their Educational Value"},"content":{"rendered":"

A close friend of mine recently asked me: \u201cWhat\u2019s the best part about being a freelance translator?\u201d<\/strong> Besides the fact that most days are pajama days, that is\u2026

One thing that always excites me, is that as a translator you learn so much about so many different topics. This is especially true for board game translations, because every game has a different theme.

Whether you\u2019re translating a game about 16th century Portuguese explorers or Russian fur traders, about the most wondrous sights in the world or the fauna and flora in a forest, you always learn something new.

Bonus points: it makes you feel really smart at dinner parties!<\/strong>

Some games turn out to be a treasure trove of fun and interesting facts. Those are always the most exciting projects to work on. Let\u2019s see some examples from Meadow<\/em><\/strong><\/a> by Asmodee, a game The Geeky Pen recently translated into Dutch.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Brief Concept of the Game<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"meadow<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Meadow is Asmodee\u2019s response to the immensely popular \u2018cute animal tableau builders\u2019 that have known great success over the past couple of years, like Wingspan <\/em>e Everdell<\/em>.

The game comes with a very interesting card index that provides tidbits of information about the fauna and flora featured on the cards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s obvious that a lot of love, care and attention went into creating Meadow. I learned a lot from translating the card index, so I thought I\u2019d share some of my favorite passages. Hopefully, they\u2019ll teach you something you didn\u2019t know yet.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n


Some of the Fauna Featured in Meadow<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n

Canis Lupus<\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Inglese<\/strong>
Gray wolves are monogamous herd animals that form strong social bonds. The pack usually consists of a breeding pair and individuals related to them. Only the breeding pair reproduce, and their offspring are looked after by the whole pack.

Nederlands<\/strong>
Grijze wolven zijn monogame dieren die in roedels leven en een sterke sociale band met elkaar hebben. De roedel bestaat meestal uit een ouderpaar en hun aanverwanten. Enkel het koppel plant zich voort, maar de hele roedel zorgt voor de welpen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u200d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u200d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n

Sturnus Vulgaris<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Inglese<\/strong>
Starlings can imitate various sounds and weave them into their songs. Supposedly, Mozart had a tamed starling who could sing a fragment of his 17th Piano Concerto in G major.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nederlands<\/strong>
Spreeuwen kunnen een hoop geluiden nabootsen en die in hun liederen opnemen. Mozart zou een tamme spreeuw hebben gehad die een fragment uit zijn \u2018Pianoconcert nr. 17 in G majeur\u2019 kon nazingen.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n

Polyommatus Thersites<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Inglese<\/strong>
The caterpillars of the Chapman\u2019s blue produce a secretion that is food for ants. Ants protect the caterpillars in exchange for the secretion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nederlands<\/strong>
De rupsen van het esparcetteblauwtje produceren een afscheiding die erg voedzaam is voor mieren. In ruil daarvoor worden ze door hen beschermd.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n

Glis Glis<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Inglese<\/strong>
The edible dormouse derives its name from the Romans, who considered it a delicacy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nederlands<\/strong>
De Romeinen waren verlekkerd op de zevenslaper, een familie van slaapmuizen. Hiervan is ook de Engelse benaming van deze soort afgeleid: \u2018edible dormouse\u2019. Dit betekent letterlijk \u2018eetbare slaapmuis\u2019.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n

Falco Peregrinus<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Inglese<\/strong>
The peregrine falcon only hunts for victims in motion. It falls on its victim by diving from a great height and hits it in one of the wings, knocking it towards the ground.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nederlands<\/strong>
De slechtvalk jaagt enkel op bewegende prooien. Vanop grote hoogte kan hij zijn slachtoffer over lange afstanden spotten. Tijdens zijn duik beschadigt hij een vleugel van zijn prooi om hem uit de lucht te halen.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\u200d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n

Bison Bonasus<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Inglese<\/strong>
The history of legal protection of bison in Poland dates back to the reign of Sigismund I the Old and Sigismund II Augustus, who introduced a law punishing death for killing a bison.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nederlands<\/strong>
Onder het bewind van Sigismund I de Oudere kregen de bizons wettelijke bescherming. De wetten werden verstrengd onder Sigismund II Augustus: voortaan stond op het doden van een bizon de doodstraf.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n


Some of the Flora Featured in Meadow<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n

Armillaria Mellea<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Inglese<\/strong>
Honey fungus is a parasitic fungus. It grows on dead and living trees, producing mycelial cords under the bark that can reach underground and grow through the roots into neighboring trees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nederlands<\/strong>
De honingzwam is een parasiet. Hij groeit op zowel levende als dode bomen en produceert schimmeldraden. Die groeien onder de schors en dalen af naar de wortels, waardoor de zwam zich naar naburige bomen kan verspreiden.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n

Sorbus Aucuparia<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Inglese<\/strong>
Rowan is also known as \u2018mountain ash\u2019. Birds play an important part in the spreading of its seeds. They do not ingest the seeds in its fruit, and therefore spread the seeds far and wide in their droppings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nederlands<\/strong>
Vogels spelen een cruciale rol bij de verspreiding van de lijsterbes, omdat ze de zaadjes van de vruchten niet kunnen verteren. Via hun uitwerpselen verspreiden ze de zaden over lange afstanden.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n

Eryngium Maritimum<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Inglese<\/strong>
Sea holly roots can be up to 4 meters long, allowing it to reach groundwater. This trait allows it to live in dunes.

Nederlands<\/strong>
De wortels van de zeedistel kunnen tot 4 meter lang worden, waardoor ze in het grondwater terechtkomen en de plant in de duinen kan groeien.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n

Viscum Album<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Inglese<\/strong>
Mistletoe is a semi-parasite as it has the ability to photosynthesize, but its presence can still cause significant damage to trees.

Nederlands<\/strong>
De maretak is een hemiparasiet: hij ondergaat fotosynthese, maar kan de boom waaraan hij groeit aanzienlijke schade toebrengen.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n


Some of the Landscapes Featured in Meadow<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n

Inglese<\/strong>
Landscape with poppies: in folklore, poppy was considered an intermediary plant between life and sleep or death. It was scattered on the thresholds of houses and around the graves of the dead, so that their souls would not wander.

Nederlands<\/strong>
Landschap met klaprozen: vroeger dacht men dat klaprozen symbool stonden voor de overgang tussen leven en dood. De bloemen werden verspreid over de drempels van huizen en de graven van overledenen, om te voorkomen dat hun ziel voor altijd zou blijven ronddwalen.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n

Inglese<\/strong>
Forest wilderness: in the old Slavic regions it was a place in the depths of the forest associated with the worship of a deity, a place to hold councils, or considered the seat of evil spirits.

Nederlands<\/strong>
Hart van het bos: in de oude Slavische gebieden was het hart van het bos een plek waar godheden aanbeden werden. Men geloofde dat er diep in het bos boze geesten vertoefden. Vaak vonden er ook geheime samenkomsten plaats.
<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n


Learning in Bite-Sized Portions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Games have always had an inherent educational value. When we were children, they taught us how competition works, how to cooperate with others and how to deal with setbacks and failures.

Today, we\u2019re blessed to have so many games come out that are adorned with striking artwork and stellar components. The production quality is what makes them accessible, and also what allows designers to include interesting and educational information, so that players can learn something new without feeling like they\u2019re being lectured.

Meadow is one of those cleverly designed games that carefully studied the success of its predecessors and managed to add something extra. It was an absolute treat to localize, and I already know I\u2019ll be playing it a lot when the Dutch version hits the shelves!<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

A close friend of mine recently asked me: \u201cWhat\u2019s the best part about being a freelance translator?\u201d Besides the fact that most days are pajama days, that is\u2026 One thing that always excites me, is that as a translator you learn so much about so many different topics. This is especially true for board game […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":2441,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"off","_et_pb_old_content":"\n

A close friend of mine recently asked me: \u201cWhat\u2019s the best part about being a freelance translator?\u201d<\/strong> Besides the fact that most days are pajama days, that is\u2026

One thing that always excites me, is that as a translator you learn so much about so many different topics. This is especially true for board game translations, because every game has a different theme.

Whether you\u2019re translating a game about 16th century Portuguese explorers or Russian fur traders, about the most wondrous sights in the world or the fauna and flora in a forest, you always learn something new.

Bonus points: it makes you feel really smart at dinner parties!<\/strong>

Some games turn out to be a treasure trove of fun and interesting facts. Those are always the most exciting projects to work on. Let\u2019s see some examples from Meadow<\/em><\/strong><\/a> by Asmodee, a game The Geeky Pen recently translated into Dutch.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Brief Concept of the Game<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"meadow<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Meadow is Asmodee\u2019s response to the immensely popular \u2018cute animal tableau builders\u2019 that have known great success over the past couple of years, like Wingspan <\/em>and Everdell<\/em>.

The game comes with a very interesting card index that provides tidbits of information about the fauna and flora featured on the cards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s obvious that a lot of love, care and attention went into creating Meadow. I learned a lot from translating the card index, so I thought I\u2019d share some of my favorite passages. Hopefully, they\u2019ll teach you something you didn\u2019t know yet.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n


Some of the Fauna Featured in Meadow<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n

Canis Lupus<\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

English<\/strong>
Gray wolves are monogamous herd animals that form strong social bonds. The pack usually consists of a breeding pair and individuals related to them. Only the breeding pair reproduce, and their offspring are looked after by the whole pack.

Nederlands<\/strong>
Grijze wolven zijn monogame dieren die in roedels leven en een sterke sociale band met elkaar hebben. De roedel bestaat meestal uit een ouderpaar en hun aanverwanten. Enkel het koppel plant zich voort, maar de hele roedel zorgt voor de welpen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u200d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u200d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n

Sturnus Vulgaris<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

English<\/strong>
Starlings can imitate various sounds and weave them into their songs. Supposedly, Mozart had a tamed starling who could sing a fragment of his 17th Piano Concerto in G major.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nederlands<\/strong>
Spreeuwen kunnen een hoop geluiden nabootsen en die in hun liederen opnemen. Mozart zou een tamme spreeuw hebben gehad die een fragment uit zijn \u2018Pianoconcert nr. 17 in G majeur\u2019 kon nazingen.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n

Polyommatus Thersites<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

English<\/strong>
The caterpillars of the Chapman\u2019s blue produce a secretion that is food for ants. Ants protect the caterpillars in exchange for the secretion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nederlands<\/strong>
De rupsen van het esparcetteblauwtje produceren een afscheiding die erg voedzaam is voor mieren. In ruil daarvoor worden ze door hen beschermd.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n

Glis Glis<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

English<\/strong>
The edible dormouse derives its name from the Romans, who considered it a delicacy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nederlands<\/strong>
De Romeinen waren verlekkerd op de zevenslaper, een familie van slaapmuizen. Hiervan is ook de Engelse benaming van deze soort afgeleid: \u2018edible dormouse\u2019. Dit betekent letterlijk \u2018eetbare slaapmuis\u2019.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n

Falco Peregrinus<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

English<\/strong>
The peregrine falcon only hunts for victims in motion. It falls on its victim by diving from a great height and hits it in one of the wings, knocking it towards the ground.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nederlands<\/strong>
De slechtvalk jaagt enkel op bewegende prooien. Vanop grote hoogte kan hij zijn slachtoffer over lange afstanden spotten. Tijdens zijn duik beschadigt hij een vleugel van zijn prooi om hem uit de lucht te halen.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\u200d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n

Bison Bonasus<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

English<\/strong>
The history of legal protection of bison in Poland dates back to the reign of Sigismund I the Old and Sigismund II Augustus, who introduced a law punishing death for killing a bison.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nederlands<\/strong>
Onder het bewind van Sigismund I de Oudere kregen de bizons wettelijke bescherming. De wetten werden verstrengd onder Sigismund II Augustus: voortaan stond op het doden van een bizon de doodstraf.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n


Some of the Flora Featured in Meadow<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n

Armillaria Mellea<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

English<\/strong>
Honey fungus is a parasitic fungus. It grows on dead and living trees, producing mycelial cords under the bark that can reach underground and grow through the roots into neighboring trees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nederlands<\/strong>
De honingzwam is een parasiet. Hij groeit op zowel levende als dode bomen en produceert schimmeldraden. Die groeien onder de schors en dalen af naar de wortels, waardoor de zwam zich naar naburige bomen kan verspreiden.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n

Sorbus Aucuparia<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

English<\/strong>
Rowan is also known as \u2018mountain ash\u2019. Birds play an important part in the spreading of its seeds. They do not ingest the seeds in its fruit, and therefore spread the seeds far and wide in their droppings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nederlands<\/strong>
Vogels spelen een cruciale rol bij de verspreiding van de lijsterbes, omdat ze de zaadjes van de vruchten niet kunnen verteren. Via hun uitwerpselen verspreiden ze de zaden over lange afstanden.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n

Eryngium Maritimum<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

English<\/strong>
Sea holly roots can be up to 4 meters long, allowing it to reach groundwater. This trait allows it to live in dunes.

Nederlands<\/strong>
De wortels van de zeedistel kunnen tot 4 meter lang worden, waardoor ze in het grondwater terechtkomen en de plant in de duinen kan groeien.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n

Viscum Album<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

English<\/strong>
Mistletoe is a semi-parasite as it has the ability to photosynthesize, but its presence can still cause significant damage to trees.

Nederlands<\/strong>
De maretak is een hemiparasiet: hij ondergaat fotosynthese, maar kan de boom waaraan hij groeit aanzienlijke schade toebrengen.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n

Trifolium Repens<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

English<\/strong>
The belief that a four-leaf clover brings good luck comes from Ireland. However, it is not easy to find one \u2013 it is estimated that for every 5,000 three-leaf clovers there is only 1 four-leaf clover.

Nederlands<\/strong>
De overtuiging dat het klavertjevier geluk brengt, stamt uit Ierland. De kans is echter klein dat je er eentje vindt: naar schatting groeit er 1 op elke 5000 klavertjes.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"meadow<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n


Some of the Landscapes Featured in Meadow<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n

English<\/strong>
Landscape with poppies: in folklore, poppy was considered an intermediary plant between life and sleep or death. It was scattered on the thresholds of houses and around the graves of the dead, so that their souls would not wander.

Nederlands<\/strong>
Landschap met klaprozen: vroeger dacht men dat klaprozen symbool stonden voor de overgang tussen leven en dood. De bloemen werden verspreid over de drempels van huizen en de graven van overledenen, om te voorkomen dat hun ziel voor altijd zou blijven ronddwalen.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n

English<\/strong>
Forest wilderness: in the old Slavic regions it was a place in the depths of the forest associated with the worship of a deity, a place to hold councils, or considered the seat of evil spirits.

Nederlands<\/strong>
Hart van het bos: in de oude Slavische gebieden was het hart van het bos een plek waar godheden aanbeden werden. Men geloofde dat er diep in het bos boze geesten vertoefden. Vaak vonden er ook geheime samenkomsten plaats.
<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n


Learning in Bite-Sized Portions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Games have always had an inherent educational value. When we were children, they taught us how competition works, how to cooperate with others and how to deal with setbacks and failures.

Today, we\u2019re blessed to have so many games come out that are adorned with striking artwork and stellar components. The production quality is what makes them accessible, and also what allows designers to include interesting and educational information, so that players can learn something new without feeling like they\u2019re being lectured.

Meadow is one of those cleverly designed games that carefully studied the success of its predecessors and managed to add something extra. It was an absolute treat to localize, and I already know I\u2019ll be playing it a lot when the Dutch version hits the shelves!<\/p>\n","_et_gb_content_width":"","inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[14,17],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2218","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-featured","category-geeky-projects"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.geekypen.com\/it\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2218","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.geekypen.com\/it\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.geekypen.com\/it\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.geekypen.com\/it\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.geekypen.com\/it\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2218"}],"version-history":[{"count":14,"href":"https:\/\/www.geekypen.com\/it\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2218\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2660,"href":"https:\/\/www.geekypen.com\/it\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2218\/revisions\/2660"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.geekypen.com\/it\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2441"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.geekypen.com\/it\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2218"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.geekypen.com\/it\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2218"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.geekypen.com\/it\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2218"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}