Talking to NPCs: Sojung the Proleague Translator Text by lichter Graphics by lichter .Introducing "Talking to NPCs" with lichter

.Interview Sojung, Proleague Translator



.Sojung Sojung on Twitter



.lichter lichter on Twitter .1 Introducing "Talking to NPCs" with lichter

Team Liquid introduces a new interview series focusing on the people outside the game that make Starcraft 2 happen. Much of our attention is drawn to the players that compete in the world's biggest tournaments, and we constantly hear what they have to say in interviews or on live streams. But none of this would be possible without the supporting characters that create the backbone of Starcraft 2, and "Talking to NPCs" aims to find out more about the non player characters that bring our game to life.



For the very first installment of "Talking to NPCs" with lichter, we bothered had a chat with a familiar voice that any fan of Proleague should be familiar with by now. This is her second season as Proleague translator, but she's only received more air time this year. Her ability to translate MVP interviews on the fly while including relevant information has been applauded by SPL's viewers, and her quirky way with players in her own interview series has added even more personality to a constantly improving broadcast. She's become an integral part of the Proleague experience, and English viewers look forward to each new hairstyle, interview, or selfie on twitter.



However, we know very little about her even though we've been hearing her voice every week for a while now. She's been sharing other people's words and rarely her own, so it was about time we found out more about our new favorite translator.



.2 Sojung, Proleague Translator

lichter: Hi everyone, this is lichter, and we're here today with a guest that should be familiar with everyone.



Hi Sojung! First of all, why don't you introduce yourself to your fans on Team Liquid.



Sojung: Hi, I'm Sojung and I'm the interpreter for SPL in Seoul Most of you guys know me as a full time interpreter but I'm actually working as an intern at



Was this too boring haha Hi, I'm Sojung and I'm the interpreter for SPL in SeoulMost of you guys know me as a full time interpreter but I'm actually working as an intern at The Verge Was this too boring haha



Don't worry, we can ask spicier questions later!



lolol



Is this your first time being interviewed in English?



Yup



Well, how do you feel now that you're famous as the Proleague translator?



I still feel awkward, as I said earlier, I don't think I'm famous.. yet. No one used to know who I am but now it seems that 'Sojung' is the noun for the SPL translator.





Sojung means translator in SC2



I'm sure everyone wants to know: how did you get the job as Proleague translator?



My first experience as a freelance translator was with OGN for DOTA 2 Invitational Super Match.



After the Invitationals were finished, I took a break for a few months to study SC2 (for interpreting) and eventually got connected with Proleague and got the job.



I think everyone agrees that you're doing a great job. How are you so good at English and Korean?



Thanks for saying that! I lived in Canada for about 2 & 1/2 years when I was 10.



I used to use Korean at home with my parents and used only English at school so I learned to live with it.



But I do feel that transparent wall between me and the native speakers.



Ohh, no wonder you're so natural at English. So, what got you interested in eSports? Were you always an avid gamer? What are your favorite games?







My dad's younger brother was a big fan of YellOw [Hong Jin Ho] back in the day(he still asks me if I've ever seen him before - and no I haven't).



I learned the SC1 units from him and had fun only producing the units and listening to what they say. My favorite line is "SCV good to go sir"



My parents let me play on the computer, Nintendo Gameboy, PSP, DS etc. My life was basically filled with games.



My favorites are Super Mario series, Pokemon series and of course SC1 + 2 I was born in the country of SC1 BW so it all feels natural to me.My dad's younger brother was a big fan of YellOw [Hong Jin Ho] back in the day(he still asks me if I've ever seen him before - and no I haven't).I learned the SC1 units from him and had fun only producing the units and listening to what they say. My favorite line is "SCV good to go sir"My parents let me play on the computer, Nintendo Gameboy, PSP, DS etc. My life was basically filled with games.My favorites are Super Mario series, Pokemon series and of course SC1 + 2



It must have been really exciting to get a job in eSports then. Did you have to study anything special or take any classes to become such a good translator?



Honestly I feel really really embarrassed right now.



I've never thought of myself as a good translator. I'd like to think I have enough knowledge with good English conversation skills.



I try to watch SC2 VODs in English whenever I have time just to get used to the terms that are 'in trend'.



I didn't take any classes; I talked to a lot of progamers (JYP — formerly known as EGJYP— and KT Rolster TY) during off season to learn the game itself and pick up the history of SC2.



What process do you undergo when translating interviews? Do you prioritize personality and humor over accuracy, or do translate verbatim? What aspects do you focus on more than others? Have you ever added anything to spice things up?



That's a really good question. I'm still working on it. There's so many good eSports translators out there like Smix and Hun (Acer).



At the moment I try to deliver accurate information with speed since the way we do it in Proleague doesn't give me much time to prepare for anything.



I did enjoy that one time when Wolf and I did the group selection for SSL. When the players were entering I added little comments which were really funny back then but feels awkward to mention now, haha. (You can feel free to use this mildly - I said SKT T1's Classic kind of looks like a Stalker as he is known as the chintoss)



Use this mildly? I just copy paste everything! xD (Sorry Classic)



Speed of translation is actually one of the aspects that impresses me the most with your translating. How do you manage to listen to interviews while translating them simultaneously? That seems like an impossible thing to do.



I feel a bit of pride in speed haha um what happens during the live session is I sit down between Wolf and Valdes (sometimes mOOngLaDe) and put my headset on.



After the interview goes live with Canata, I get the Korean feed inside my headset and I literally interpret it in real time with the mic they have inside the booth.



I watch every single game and take notes so I know a bit a head of time what Canata is going to ask the MVP player. Because of this, while watching the recap, I can interpret smoothly.



That sounds really stressful, but I think everyone recognizes that you're doing a great job.



But enough with the serious questions!



Do you play SC2? What race/rank/playstyle? And, if you had to be a SC2 unit, what would you be?







I used to play Protoss but switched over to Terran to spice things up and went to Platinum this season. My highest record was ranking no. 1 in 2v2 Masters (finished near 60~70th that season).



If I had to be a SC2 unit, I'd like to be someone's SCV build things, get minerals! Of course I play SC2!I used to play Protoss but switched over to Terran to spice things up and went to Platinum this season. My highest record was ranking no. 1 in 2v2 Masters (finished near 60~70th that season).If I had to be a SC2 unit, I'd like to be someone's SCVbuild things, get minerals!



No love for Zerg? Since you play both Protoss and Terran, are your favorite players also from the same race? If not, who are your favorite players and teams?







As a noob Terran, I try to copy TY's aggressive play style with the mine + marine drops.



I can't really pick a team since I know how much everyone practices for that one game in SPL so let's say I love all teams Lolol I'll need more time to get used to Zerg units.As a noob Terran, I try to copy TY's aggressive play style with the mine + marine drops.I can't really pick a team since I know how much everyone practices for that one game in SPL so let's say I love all teams







Okay, now it's time for the spicy questions just like I promised. We've taken a few questions from your interview series,



First question, what part of your body do you like the most? Wow such noncommittal answers.Okay, now it's time for the spicy questions just like I promised. We've taken a few questions from your interview series, 10 Questions 10 Answers , and added a few of our own. So make sure to give good answers!First question, what part of your body do you like the most?



OMG hahahahaha



Okay. I love my eyes! I think they're the most normal looking body part lololol





In this picture, normal looking body parts







Okay, following up on that, why do you think you are so cute? If you can ask these questions then you should be able to answer them!Okay, following up on that, why do you think you are so cute?



WHAT hahaha oh god



Lololol



please bonk me on the head





Sojung's cruel hammer



Okay, when I go there for the Proleague finals, I owe you a bonk on your head. But you're really not gonna answer?! v_v



Man it's hard. I'm not the cute type. I'm more of a violent type hahaha





Very, very violent.



Wow, that sounds kinda scary. I'm sure there are some guys that think violent girls are cute, so I guess we'll have to go with that.



Next! Do you have a boyfriend? (If not, If we send one of our staff there, will you go on a date with that person?)



No haha and I'll think about it



I think that some people will like that answer (I'm looking at you Gemini).



Other than SC2, what games do you play?



I play a bit of SC2, and maybe StarCraft 2? hahaha



You've been changing hairstyles often in broadcasts, from pony tail to pig tails to a short bob. Why do you keep changing your hairstyle?



Suggestions are welcomed! I wear the same clothes and thought it might be fun to change the hairstyles every time! I'm running out of ideas now thoughSuggestions are welcomed!





Official Round 1 Winner of the Wolf Schröder Award for Best Hair



You heard that guys! Tweet at her with your hair suggestions.



Who has better hair, mOOngLade, Wolf, or Brendan?



Wolf. (I know you're reading this, thank you in advance for the coffee you will get me before SPL)



Of the three Proleague casters, who is the best with Korean girls?



LOL! Truth be told, I've never hung out with them outside of the arena so I don't really know. All of them are really nice!



Would you rather fight a Harvard educated saltwater crocodile with a verified driver's license glued inside a bumper car or a 8 foot baby with appropriate bone and weight density having a temper tantrum?



I'd rather fight a Harvard educated saltwater crocodile, I'm terrible with babies. (I love them!)



If your family was kidnapped by Somalian Pirates, which 3 progamers would you bring to help rescue them and why?



I'd rather go alone haha or if I must, I'd take Flash for tactics, Maru for his ability of situation control and TY for his decision making abilities!



If you, mOOngLaDe, Wolf and Brendan were stuck on a deserted island, who would fulfill the following roles and why: 1.) Hunter-gatherer; 2.) Shelter-builder; 3.) Navigator/cartographer; and 4.) Doctor? Who would die first, and how?





Team Salmon minus mOOngLaDe



mOOngLaDe as a navigator — He's a good analyst. Wolf as a hunter-gatherer — Wolf seems like the man for the job. Shelter-builder would be Brendan! Brendan always seems calm and I guess you'd need that to build a good shelter and I'd be the doctor since that's the only thing left haha. I would probably die first since I'd jump around and maybe get bitten by a snake and die.



Okay, that's 10 absurd questions done! You survived, congratulations. Do you have any shoutouts or messages to your English speaking fans?



I LOVE YOU ALL - PLEASE FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER AND SHOW ME YOUR LOVE!!!



You heard her guys. Follow her on twitter, and make sure to tell her she's doing an awesome job! Until next time.

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Note: If you have any suggestions on who to interview next or what questions to ask, feel free to comment here or tweet at me! If you have any suggestions on who to interview next or what questions to ask, feel free to comment here or tweet at me! Administrator YOU MUST HEED MY INSTRUCTIONS TAKE OFF YOUR THIIIINGS