One of my biggest hurdles in doing webcomics is the second language factor. English isnt my first language. (though its weird that I can read English easier but speak Tagalog easier. Maybe because Tagalog has longer words.)
First few years in Canada was difficult for me as I had a problem communicating with others. I studied English extensively in the Philippines… but the English that was taught there is the "paper english" and not the conversational one.
Also… learning the language is one thing… while assimilating the culture is another. There are little things such as expressions and jokes… that are funny in one culture but "huh?!?" in another. Witty remark in one culture… but "WHAT?!?" in another.
Yeah it was hard… especially when I was moved here together with my parents at the age of 17… lol. Unfamiliar land with a different culture and customs. That is a scary and risky thing to do. Anyway, the whole family had no choice back then because Dad couldnt find a job for 4 years. As the hiring policies in the Philippines are discriminatory as hell. Your best time to find a job is between age 18-35. After that, sorry. Nobody gives a shit that you lost your job through no fault of your own. You starve to death… big deal. Its good actually… since it helps with the overpopulation problem!!!
Anyway, to beat that translation barrier, the principle is to THINK in that language and culture as you are writing it. Do not translate word for word or it will be lame as hell. :)
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