From Peepers to Reapers: Localization of Fauna in Subnautica

Abstract

In this thesis I analyze the English-to-Finnish translations of fauna in the video games Subnautica and its sequel Subnautica: Below Zero. The aim of the study is to determine which translation strategies were used to translate the names of creatures in the two games, as well as to describe how these strategies were utilized. My analysis of the localization of Subnautica is based on Ritva Leppihalme's seven strategies of translating realia – culture-bound words and phrases that lack direct equivalents in the target language. These strategies can also be used to localize irrealia, fictional realia. The dataset for this study consists of a total of 80 names of fictional marine fauna, gathered from both games. This thesis will additionally address the crowdsourced translation approach of Subnautica. The series has been fully translated by the players via an online translation platform, which has allowed the players to directly affect the games’ contents and gameplay experience. The analysis showed that the most commonly used translation strategy in the dataset was calque, which refers to direct, word-for-word translation. The high occurrence of this strategy suggests a preference for the fan-translation to preserve the tone and meaning of the original name. The second most common strategy was explicitation, which was generally employed to enhance clarity by making implicit information, such as behavioral or visual traits, more apparent to the target audience. In contrast, strategies such as cultural adaptation, direct transfer, and the use of a superordinate term were utilized only occasionally, while omission and paratextual explanation strategies were not observed at all in the data.