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User:KockaAdmiralac/Language

From Deltarune Wiki

Language used in wiki articles is an important aspect to consider when editing. Using unclear or inconsistent language makes articles harder to read. Writing from a biased perspective goes against the wiki's purpose as a resource for canonical content. Writing in a non-encyclopedic tone makes the wiki feel less like a wiki, and more like someone's personal blog.

This standard aims to specify what kind of language is preferred on the wiki, and give examples of what is acceptable and what is not.

General

  • Undertale and Deltarune was released in American English, as such, the wikis use standard American English. Other spellings such as British English's "armour" or "judgement" should be avoided.
    • The exceptions are "Epilogue", "Monologue", "Dialogue" etc., which is preferred over "Epilog", "Monolog", "Dialog".
  • Present tense should be used whenever possible. Past tense is only permitted in the History, and Creation and development subheaders.
  • Do not use second person narrative ("you") when writing articles.
  • Language must be clear and understandable. Use simple language, short, and concise sentences to benefit all readers and to avoid overloading them.
  • Avoid informal and casual language commonly present in everyday conversation, (e.g. kids < children). This also includes avoiding grammatical contractions. (e.g. don't < do not)
  • Situations must be discussed from a neutral point of view, giving no bias or preferences and avoiding giving unimportant issues undue weight. Avoid loaded language, the use of imperative form.
  • Characters should be referred to with in-game pronouns. If characters has multiple pronouns in-game, the most frequent pronoun they are referred to should be used.
    • Singular "they" should be used when referring to characters that are consistently described as such, (e.g. Kris) used for an unknown character, or used for a character that is not referred to with any pronouns in-game. The reflexive form of the singular "they" used on the wikis is "themselves."
    • When making possessive forms of singular and proper nouns ending with s, add 's at the end.
  • Locations and characters with proper-noun names are not addressed using article determiners. Example: "Card Castle" instead of "The Card Castle".
    • Casing for common noun names should also be lowercase. Example: "hospital" instead of "Hospital".

Terminology

  • Both wikis do not use the term "player" when referring to the characters controlled by the player, but only when referring to the entity playing the game. This is because "the player" is shown to be a separate entity from the protagonist(s) in both Undertale and Deltarune.
    • On Undertale Wiki, the character controlled by the player is referred to as "the protagonist" instead of "player" or "Frisk." This is because the name "Frisk" is a spoiler, and it is unclear whether or not the character is Frisk at certain points of the game.
    • On Deltarune Wiki, the controlled characters are collectively referred to as the "party," unless only Kris is in the party at the time.

Undertale Wiki

Deltarune Wiki

  • The term "Weird Route" is used to refer to Deltarune's alternative route involving Noelle instead of "Snowgrave Route." This has been debated via community vote as of June 11, 2025.
  • The term "Shadow Crystal boss" is used to refer to bosses which drop Shadow Crystals, as opposed to "bonus bosses" or "secret bosses." This has been debated via community vote as of June 13, 2025.

Examples

General examples

Bad Good Reason
In a Dark World, Kris's skin becomes cyan-coloured, and their hair changes to navy. In a Dark World, Kris's skin becomes cyan-colored, and their hair changes to navy. American English is preferred over British English.
Interacting with the Bibliox in the overworld will instead have him say "... the ticket... it's under the ball machine..." Interacting with the Bibliox in the overworld instead has him say "... the ticket... it's under the ball machine..." Prefer present tense.
To find it, you must backtrack between the room with the Starwalker Bird and the darkening room after it. To find it, the player must backtrack between the room with the Starwalker Bird and the darkening room after it. Avoid second person narrative.
She lives with her kids at the Dreemurr residence, located at the northern end of Hometown. She lives with her children at the Dreemurr residence, located at the northern end of Hometown. Avoid informal language.
If Berdly's arm was injured during the fight with Queen, he finds he can't use his arm in the Light World. If Berdly's arm was injured during the fight with Queen, he finds he cannot use his arm in the Light World. Avoid contractions.
Notably, this attack freezes enemies solid instead of allowing them to flee. This attack freezes enemies solid instead of allowing them to flee. "Notably" is one of the words to watch for, as it highlights something as significant without properly attributing that opinion. This goes against the wiki's neutral point of view.
Interestingly, Miss Mizzle boasts of her beauty primarily as the HolywaterCooler, regarding her beauty within it as entirely objective. Miss Mizzle boasts of her beauty primarily as the HolywaterCooler, regarding her beauty within it as entirely objective. Same as above.
Susie is also loyal, readily wanting to assist a friend if he/she is in danger or troubled. Susie is also loyal, readily wanting to assist a friend if they are in danger or troubled. The default pronouns used when referring to unknown characters, or characters with unknown pronouns, are they/them.
Sans' name is derived from the typeface in which he speaks: Comic Sans. Sans's name is derived from the typeface in which he speaks: Comic Sans. Possessive forms of singular and proper nouns should always end with 's.
King then allied himself with the Knight, followed by the latter's creation of the Eastern Fountain at the Card Castle. King then allied himself with the Knight, followed by the latter's creation of the Eastern Fountain at Card Castle. Locations using proper-noun names are not addressed with "the."

Terminology examples

Bad Good Reason
After the Delta Warriors defeats the Jigsawrys, they progress to a box puzzle with a locked gate. After the party defeats the Jigsawrys, they progress to a box puzzle with a locked gate. The party is a rounded terminology that is also used in-game.
In the True Pacifist Route ending, he recruits Shyren to be his back-up singer. In the True Pacifist Route epilogue, he recruits Shyren to be his back-up singer. The term "epilogue" is preferred by the community, and the former is a broader term.
The Snowgrave Route is an alternate route in Deltarune that progresses over the course of multiple Chapters via Completion FILEs. The Weird Route is an alternate route in Deltarune that progresses over the course of multiple Chapters via Completion FILEs. The older term has been replaced after a community discussion.
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