Fist and Gist: Quasi-Translation in Tekken 8

Meza Parama Nohan (UIN Raden Mas Said Surakarta)
Rolandio Akhira Putra

CrossOver:Journal of Adaptation Studies
Vol. 5 No. 2: December, 2025

This qualitative study looks at how quasi-translation works in Tekken 8, a popular fighting game made by Bandai Namco Entertainment. Quasi-translation is when characters seem to understand each other even though they actually speak different languages. The study employs the theory of quasi-translation by Purnomo (2021). This study examines how Tekken 8 designs its characters from different nationalities to communicate smoothly without seemingly language barriers. The study investigates in-game conversations, visual signs, and how characters interact in certain scenes. The study finds that Tekken 8 uses two main ways to make communication work across languages: non-propositional signals, such as tone, gestures, and expressions, and indirect mediations like subtitles, common storytelling styles, and what audiences expect. These techniques have functions related to both diegetic and memetic purposes. The diegetic form of quasi-translation helps maintain the game's realism and makes the relationships between characters easy to follow, while the memetic form of quasi-translation aids players in grasping and appreciating the narrative. Through these techniques, Tekken 8 shows how modern video games can include different languages in a way that makes storytelling more connected and supports cultural exchange in gaming. This study suggests that quasi-translation in games can be a way to tell a story that helps people from different language backgrounds understand each other better. Quasi-translation in games can also function as a strategy to promote cross-cultural understanding. It proves that meaning can be understood even when languages are not the same, which adds to conversations about translation, how media communicates, and telling stories across different and various cultures. In addition, the findings of this study can serve as a reference for future research exploring quasi-translation in other media forms, such as films, animations, or multiplayer games featuring multilingual interaction.