In Path of Exile, we have an island-based culture called the Karui. They are founded on the pre-European Maori and Samoan [Polynesian] cultures of the Pacific although their technology level has been adjusted to put them on a par with the Vikings of the 9th Century AD.
When conversing with other characters in the game, our Karui player-character, the Marauder, understands and speaks 'Eternal', our 'common tongue (English) in Wraeclast.
But when our Marauder is alone or when he is speaking to another Karui character like Maramoa Patua, a question presents itself. Why aren't these characters speaking in their native tongue?
We've currently developed a few words in Karui...
Makanui means 'the way of the warrior'.
Korangi means ‘he who wins wars with false promises’.
makoru means shark.
waikoama means canoe.
Makanga means 'honoured warrior'.
...but dropping a few Karui words into otherwise English dialogue is a piece of cake when compared to the task of creating full conversations in Karui. Look at the process they went through to create Dothraki in Game of Thrones!
Iain Glen is quite right when he says that a performance will sound 'crap' if you don't go through this process. Without meaning, there's no true emotion. An actor needs to understand what they are saying in order to produce a convincing performance.
So...to create Karui or not to create Karui...taka oma ngatua (that is the question).
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