Skellige - What I think

[Ulving]

I've been playing through the areas of Skellige, the land of the Pirates. It's supposively influenced by the Norse and Scottish during the Viking invasions of the British Isles.

There's the Scottish-like clans, with Scottish accents, which is absolutely fine. Some of their names, though, are Scandinavian (Norse).

But then there's the Nordic clans, which for some reason has Scottish/Irish accents. I'm Swedish myself, so hearing them trying to say Nordic names... well.. I don't know what to say. It's quite hilarious, actually.

I've seen this in many games and movies, where the "Vikings" are displayed as horn wearing brutes with Scottish accents.

Yes, the Vikings DID settle down in Ireland and Scotland, but did they influence the inhabitants greatly? No, only slightly. The Anglo-Saxons, on the other hand, borrowed tons and tons of Norse words. Makes sense, because Norse and Anglo-Saxon had the same roots, proto-Germanic. The Scot-Gael, however? No.

There's this one movie, that did it right, the 13th Warrior, where they used Norwegian/Swedish actors (the Jarl of the movie was Swedish.) However there was this one Czech guy, who even played (or voice acted) as Ulfric in Skyrim, but he was good. Real good.

I really feel like comparing the Nords of Skyrim with the Skellige citizens. Bethesda somewhat tried to get it right, just listen to the guards.

What I am trying to say is; I'm tired of this in games. I like Scottish accents. I really do, but they have no place in Nordic influenced characters.

Don't. Use. Them. On. Nordic/Scandinavian. People.

[Ulving]

Originally posted by player:

English is not the original language, or rather not the one that fits the setting best. All the peasants are not really supposed to have cockney accents, but they do, because that's how an English-speaking peasant sounds, obviously.

Did you miss the "Scot-Gael" part? I'm saying that neither of the languages has any place with the Nordic people. The Scandinavians.
Well, I mean that they should have Scandinavian accents. Only that. (EDIT) They should speak English, of course.

[Ulving]

Originally posted by player:

I was only saying that the northern kingdoms are supposed to represent slavic countries, but their inhabitants speak like Londoners. But Norse to Scottish isn't a bigger difference.

The matter of fact is that you shouldn't expect the historical inspiration and language to match.

"But Norse to Scottish isn't a bigger difference."
I hope you are joking. Scottish and Norse ish very different. Icelandic people can read old Norse just fine, and it is currently the closest thing.
Listen to these Icelandic kids talking their language https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gsptLTk0h4U

[Ulving]

But aye, you speak the truth with that last sentence. However, I don't care for the language they speak. I mostly care about their accents. I should have been more specific.