How to tell Traditional Chinese from Simplified Chinese
Posted: Sun May 04, 2014 3:18 am
Like a lot of people, I've sometimes had difficulty identifying whether a card is Traditional or Simplified Chinese.
I started with this website, which can be quite useful...
http://www.snazzorama.com/magic/lang/
Unfortunately, it hasn't been updated in a while and the Traditional vs. Simplified portion is a bit open ended as to when things became similar.
(UPDATE: That website has now been updated and includes a link back to this article. What an honor! Thanks.)
That combined with changes in font between sets can make identification a pretty daunting task. You could probably take a pretty good guess which was which IF you had both versions in front of you, but if you only have the one card, it's just really tough.
I've decided that the best thing to do would be to compile a picture gallery of examples of each language from each set to help myself and others. Using this gallery, you'll be able to compare your card even if you don't have both versions in front of you.
Just compare your card with these pictures to have a better idea which language you have.
Here we go...
4th Edition
Only Traditional Chinese was available
Visions
Only Traditional Chinese was available
Weatherlight
Only Traditional Chinese was available
Portal
Traditional and Simplified both exist.
Simplified has expansion symbols that are color coded for rarity. (In this picture, Simplified is on the right and has a silver expansion symbol because the card is an uncommon.)
Simplified has a darker (almost bold) flavor text.
5th Edition
Traditional and Simplified both exist.
Traditional has 1997 copyright, Simplified has 1998 & expansion symbol
Tempest
Only Traditional Chinese was available
Stronghold
Only Traditional Chinese was available
Exodus
Only Traditional Chinese was available
Urza's Saga
Traditional and Simplified both exist.
Traditional has a 1998 copyright and darker (almost bold) rules text.
Simplified has a 1999 copyright and darker (almost bold) flavor text.
Urza's Legacy
Only Traditional Chinese was available, and only non-foil
6th Edition
Traditional and Simplified both exist.
Traditional has 1999 copyright, Simplified has 2000 copyright
Urza's Destiny
Only Traditional Chinese was available, and only non-foil
Portal Three Kingdoms
Traditional and Simplified both exist.
Traditional has a darker (almost bold) rules text.
Simplified has a darker (almost bold) flavor text.
Mercadian Masques
Only Traditional Chinese was available, and only non-foil
Nemesis
Only Traditional Chinese was available
Prophecy
Only Traditional Chinese was available
Invasion
Traditional and Simplified both exist.
The rules text font on Traditional is more square and blocky with uniform line width.
The rules text font on Simplified appears to have been painted with a brush with the strokes having a varying width.
Planeshift
Traditional and Simplified both exist.
Traditional end of phrase punctuation (little circle) remains centered vertically like on all previous Chinese cards.
Simplified end of phrase punctuation (little circle) has been moved down to the base of the text like on Japanese cards. (Hopefully you can tell Japanese apart from Chinese.)
7th Edition
Traditional and Simplified both exist.
The rules text font on Traditional is more square and blocky with uniform line width.
The rules text font on Simplified appears to have been painted with a brush with the strokes having a varying width.
Apocalypse
Traditional and Simplified both exist.
The rules text font on Traditional is more square and blocky with uniform line width.
The rules text font on Simplified appears to have been painted with a brush with the strokes having a varying width. The card name appears to be more bold on Simplified.
Odyssey
Traditional and Simplified both exist.
The rules text font on Traditional is more square and blocky with uniform line width.
The rules text font on Simplified appears to have been painted with a brush with the strokes having a varying width. The card name appears to be more bold on Simplified.
Torment
Traditional and Simplified both exist.
The rules text font on Traditional is more square and blocky with uniform line width. Traditional end of phrase punctuation (little circle) remains centered vertically like on all previous Traditional Chinese cards.
The rules text font on Simplified appears to have been painted with a brush with the strokes having a varying width. The card name and rules text appears to be more bold on Simplified. Simplified end of phrase punctuation (little circle) is at the base of the text like on Japanese cards.
Judgement
Traditional and Simplified both exist.
The rules text font on Traditional is more square and blocky with uniform line width. Traditional end of phrase punctuation (little circle) remains centered vertically like on all previous Traditional Chinese cards.
The rules text font on Simplified appears to have been painted with a brush with the strokes having a varying width. The card name and rules text appears to be more bold on Simplified. Simplified end of phrase punctuation (little circle) is at the base of the text like on Japanese cards.
Onslaught
Traditional and Simplified both exist.
The rules text font on Traditional is more square and blocky with uniform line width. Traditional end of phrase punctuation (little circle) remains centered vertically like on all previous Traditional Chinese cards.
The rules text font on Simplified appears to have been painted with a brush with the strokes having a varying width. The card name and rules text appears to be more bold on Simplified. Simplified end of phrase punctuation (little circle) is at the base of the text like on Japanese cards.
Legions
Traditional and Simplified both exist.
Scourge
Traditional and Simplified both exist.
The rules text font on Traditional is more square and blocky with uniform line width. Traditional end of phrase punctuation (little circle) remains centered vertically like on all previous Traditional Chinese cards.
The rules text font on Simplified appears to have been painted with a brush with the strokes having a varying width. The card name and rules text appears to be more bold on Simplified. Simplified end of phrase punctuation (little circle) is at the base of the text like on Japanese cards.
8th Edition
Traditional and Simplified both exist.
The rules text font on Traditional is more square and blocky with uniform line width. Traditional end of phrase punctuation (little circle) remains centered vertically like on all previous Traditional Chinese cards.
The rules text font on Simplified appears to have been painted with a brush with the strokes having a varying width. The card name and rules text appears to be more bold on Simplified. Simplified end of phrase punctuation (little circle) is at the base of the text like on Japanese cards.
Mirrodin
Traditional and Simplified both exist.
The rules text font on Traditional is more square and blocky with uniform line width. Traditional end of phrase punctuation (little circle) remains centered vertically like on all previous Traditional Chinese cards.
The rules text font on Simplified appears to have been painted with a brush with the strokes having a varying width. The card name and rules text appears to be more bold on Simplified. Simplified end of phrase punctuation (little circle) is at the base of the text like on Japanese cards.
Darksteel
Only Simplified Chinese was available.
Fifth Dawn
Only Simplified Chinese was available.
Champions of Kamigawa
Only Simplified Chinese was available.
Betrayers of Kamigawa
Only Simplified Chinese was available.
Saviors of Kamigawa
Only Simplified Chinese was available.
9th Edition
Only Simplified Chinese was available.
Ravnica: City of Guilds
Only Simplified Chinese was available.
Guildpact
Only Simplified Chinese was available.
Dissension
Only Simplified Chinese was available.
Coldsnap
Only Simplified Chinese was available.
(Basic land isn't the best example because there is no rules text. If you have a Simplified Chinese card from Coldsnap that you can scan, please let me know and we'll put it here.)
Time Spiral
Only Simplified Chinese was available.
Planar Chaos
Only Simplified Chinese was available.
Future Sight
Only Simplified Chinese was available.
10th Edition
Only Simplified Chinese was available.
Lorwyn
Only Simplified Chinese was available.
Morningtide
Only Simplified Chinese was available.
Shadowmoor
Only Simplified Chinese was available.
Eventide
Only Simplified Chinese was available.
Shards of Alara
Only Simplified Chinese was available.
(Basic land isn't the best example because there is no rules text. If you have a Simplified Chinese card from Shards of Alara that you can scan, please let me know and we'll put it here.)
Conflux
Only Simplified Chinese was available.
Alara Reborn
Only Simplified Chinese was available.
M10
Only Simplified Chinese was available.
Zendikar
Only Simplified Chinese was available.
Worldwake
Only Simplified Chinese was available.
Rise of the Eldrazi
Only Simplified Chinese was available.
M11
Traditional and Simplified both exist.
Traditional end of phrase punctuation (little circle) remains centered vertically like on all previous Traditional Chinese cards.
Simplified end of phrase punctuation (little circle) remains at the base of the text like on Japanese cards.
Scars of Mirrodin
Traditional and Simplified both exist.
Mirrodin Beseiged
Traditional and Simplified both exist.
Traditional end of phrase punctuation (little circle) remains centered vertically like on all previous Traditional Chinese cards.
Simplified end of phrase punctuation (little circle) remains at the base of the text like on Japanese cards.
New Phyrexia
Traditional and Simplified both exist.
M12
Traditional and Simplified both exist.
Traditional end of phrase punctuation (little circle) remains centered vertically like on all previous Traditional Chinese cards.
Simplified end of phrase punctuation (little circle) remains at the base of the text like on Japanese cards.
Innistrad
Traditional and Simplified both exist.
Dark Ascension
Traditional and Simplified both exist.
Avacyn Restored
Traditional and Simplified both exist.
M13
Traditional and Simplified both exist.
Return to Ravnica
Traditional and Simplified both exist.
Unfortunately, I only have a picture of Traditional. If you have a Simplified Chinese card from Return to Ravnica that you can scan, please let me know and we'll put it here.
Gatecrash
Traditional and Simplified both exist.
Dragon's Maze
Traditional and Simplified both exist.
M14
Traditional and Simplified both exist.
Theros
Traditional and Simplified both exist.
Born of the Gods
Traditional and Simplified both exist.
Journey into Nyx
Traditional and Simplified both exist.
M15
Traditional and Simplified both exist.
Starting with M15, the language is clearly labeled on the bottom of each card near the artist credit. CT = Chinese Tradional, and CS = Chinese Simplified.
If anyone can provide a scan of something that's missing, please let me know and we'll add it in the appropriate place.
For sets where both languages were available, a scan of the same card in each language would be ideal.
Thanks!
Tav
I started with this website, which can be quite useful...
http://www.snazzorama.com/magic/lang/
Unfortunately, it hasn't been updated in a while and the Traditional vs. Simplified portion is a bit open ended as to when things became similar.
(UPDATE: That website has now been updated and includes a link back to this article. What an honor! Thanks.)
That combined with changes in font between sets can make identification a pretty daunting task. You could probably take a pretty good guess which was which IF you had both versions in front of you, but if you only have the one card, it's just really tough.
I've decided that the best thing to do would be to compile a picture gallery of examples of each language from each set to help myself and others. Using this gallery, you'll be able to compare your card even if you don't have both versions in front of you.
Just compare your card with these pictures to have a better idea which language you have.
Here we go...
4th Edition
Only Traditional Chinese was available
Visions
Only Traditional Chinese was available
Weatherlight
Only Traditional Chinese was available
Portal
Traditional and Simplified both exist.
Simplified has expansion symbols that are color coded for rarity. (In this picture, Simplified is on the right and has a silver expansion symbol because the card is an uncommon.)
Simplified has a darker (almost bold) flavor text.
5th Edition
Traditional and Simplified both exist.
Traditional has 1997 copyright, Simplified has 1998 & expansion symbol
Tempest
Only Traditional Chinese was available
Stronghold
Only Traditional Chinese was available
Exodus
Only Traditional Chinese was available
Urza's Saga
Traditional and Simplified both exist.
Traditional has a 1998 copyright and darker (almost bold) rules text.
Simplified has a 1999 copyright and darker (almost bold) flavor text.
Urza's Legacy
Only Traditional Chinese was available, and only non-foil
6th Edition
Traditional and Simplified both exist.
Traditional has 1999 copyright, Simplified has 2000 copyright
Urza's Destiny
Only Traditional Chinese was available, and only non-foil
Portal Three Kingdoms
Traditional and Simplified both exist.
Traditional has a darker (almost bold) rules text.
Simplified has a darker (almost bold) flavor text.
Mercadian Masques
Only Traditional Chinese was available, and only non-foil
Nemesis
Only Traditional Chinese was available
Prophecy
Only Traditional Chinese was available
Invasion
Traditional and Simplified both exist.
The rules text font on Traditional is more square and blocky with uniform line width.
The rules text font on Simplified appears to have been painted with a brush with the strokes having a varying width.
Planeshift
Traditional and Simplified both exist.
Traditional end of phrase punctuation (little circle) remains centered vertically like on all previous Chinese cards.
Simplified end of phrase punctuation (little circle) has been moved down to the base of the text like on Japanese cards. (Hopefully you can tell Japanese apart from Chinese.)
7th Edition
Traditional and Simplified both exist.
The rules text font on Traditional is more square and blocky with uniform line width.
The rules text font on Simplified appears to have been painted with a brush with the strokes having a varying width.
Apocalypse
Traditional and Simplified both exist.
The rules text font on Traditional is more square and blocky with uniform line width.
The rules text font on Simplified appears to have been painted with a brush with the strokes having a varying width. The card name appears to be more bold on Simplified.
Odyssey
Traditional and Simplified both exist.
The rules text font on Traditional is more square and blocky with uniform line width.
The rules text font on Simplified appears to have been painted with a brush with the strokes having a varying width. The card name appears to be more bold on Simplified.
Torment
Traditional and Simplified both exist.
The rules text font on Traditional is more square and blocky with uniform line width. Traditional end of phrase punctuation (little circle) remains centered vertically like on all previous Traditional Chinese cards.
The rules text font on Simplified appears to have been painted with a brush with the strokes having a varying width. The card name and rules text appears to be more bold on Simplified. Simplified end of phrase punctuation (little circle) is at the base of the text like on Japanese cards.
Judgement
Traditional and Simplified both exist.
The rules text font on Traditional is more square and blocky with uniform line width. Traditional end of phrase punctuation (little circle) remains centered vertically like on all previous Traditional Chinese cards.
The rules text font on Simplified appears to have been painted with a brush with the strokes having a varying width. The card name and rules text appears to be more bold on Simplified. Simplified end of phrase punctuation (little circle) is at the base of the text like on Japanese cards.
Onslaught
Traditional and Simplified both exist.
The rules text font on Traditional is more square and blocky with uniform line width. Traditional end of phrase punctuation (little circle) remains centered vertically like on all previous Traditional Chinese cards.
The rules text font on Simplified appears to have been painted with a brush with the strokes having a varying width. The card name and rules text appears to be more bold on Simplified. Simplified end of phrase punctuation (little circle) is at the base of the text like on Japanese cards.
Legions
Traditional and Simplified both exist.
Scourge
Traditional and Simplified both exist.
The rules text font on Traditional is more square and blocky with uniform line width. Traditional end of phrase punctuation (little circle) remains centered vertically like on all previous Traditional Chinese cards.
The rules text font on Simplified appears to have been painted with a brush with the strokes having a varying width. The card name and rules text appears to be more bold on Simplified. Simplified end of phrase punctuation (little circle) is at the base of the text like on Japanese cards.
8th Edition
Traditional and Simplified both exist.
The rules text font on Traditional is more square and blocky with uniform line width. Traditional end of phrase punctuation (little circle) remains centered vertically like on all previous Traditional Chinese cards.
The rules text font on Simplified appears to have been painted with a brush with the strokes having a varying width. The card name and rules text appears to be more bold on Simplified. Simplified end of phrase punctuation (little circle) is at the base of the text like on Japanese cards.
Mirrodin
Traditional and Simplified both exist.
The rules text font on Traditional is more square and blocky with uniform line width. Traditional end of phrase punctuation (little circle) remains centered vertically like on all previous Traditional Chinese cards.
The rules text font on Simplified appears to have been painted with a brush with the strokes having a varying width. The card name and rules text appears to be more bold on Simplified. Simplified end of phrase punctuation (little circle) is at the base of the text like on Japanese cards.
Darksteel
Only Simplified Chinese was available.
Fifth Dawn
Only Simplified Chinese was available.
Champions of Kamigawa
Only Simplified Chinese was available.
Betrayers of Kamigawa
Only Simplified Chinese was available.
Saviors of Kamigawa
Only Simplified Chinese was available.
9th Edition
Only Simplified Chinese was available.
Ravnica: City of Guilds
Only Simplified Chinese was available.
Guildpact
Only Simplified Chinese was available.
Dissension
Only Simplified Chinese was available.
Coldsnap
Only Simplified Chinese was available.
(Basic land isn't the best example because there is no rules text. If you have a Simplified Chinese card from Coldsnap that you can scan, please let me know and we'll put it here.)
Time Spiral
Only Simplified Chinese was available.
Planar Chaos
Only Simplified Chinese was available.
Future Sight
Only Simplified Chinese was available.
10th Edition
Only Simplified Chinese was available.
Lorwyn
Only Simplified Chinese was available.
Morningtide
Only Simplified Chinese was available.
Shadowmoor
Only Simplified Chinese was available.
Eventide
Only Simplified Chinese was available.
Shards of Alara
Only Simplified Chinese was available.
(Basic land isn't the best example because there is no rules text. If you have a Simplified Chinese card from Shards of Alara that you can scan, please let me know and we'll put it here.)
Conflux
Only Simplified Chinese was available.
Alara Reborn
Only Simplified Chinese was available.
M10
Only Simplified Chinese was available.
Zendikar
Only Simplified Chinese was available.
Worldwake
Only Simplified Chinese was available.
Rise of the Eldrazi
Only Simplified Chinese was available.
M11
Traditional and Simplified both exist.
Traditional end of phrase punctuation (little circle) remains centered vertically like on all previous Traditional Chinese cards.
Simplified end of phrase punctuation (little circle) remains at the base of the text like on Japanese cards.
Scars of Mirrodin
Traditional and Simplified both exist.
Mirrodin Beseiged
Traditional and Simplified both exist.
Traditional end of phrase punctuation (little circle) remains centered vertically like on all previous Traditional Chinese cards.
Simplified end of phrase punctuation (little circle) remains at the base of the text like on Japanese cards.
New Phyrexia
Traditional and Simplified both exist.
M12
Traditional and Simplified both exist.
Traditional end of phrase punctuation (little circle) remains centered vertically like on all previous Traditional Chinese cards.
Simplified end of phrase punctuation (little circle) remains at the base of the text like on Japanese cards.
Innistrad
Traditional and Simplified both exist.
Dark Ascension
Traditional and Simplified both exist.
Avacyn Restored
Traditional and Simplified both exist.
M13
Traditional and Simplified both exist.
Return to Ravnica
Traditional and Simplified both exist.
Unfortunately, I only have a picture of Traditional. If you have a Simplified Chinese card from Return to Ravnica that you can scan, please let me know and we'll put it here.
Gatecrash
Traditional and Simplified both exist.
Dragon's Maze
Traditional and Simplified both exist.
M14
Traditional and Simplified both exist.
Theros
Traditional and Simplified both exist.
Born of the Gods
Traditional and Simplified both exist.
Journey into Nyx
Traditional and Simplified both exist.
M15
Traditional and Simplified both exist.
Starting with M15, the language is clearly labeled on the bottom of each card near the artist credit. CT = Chinese Tradional, and CS = Chinese Simplified.
If anyone can provide a scan of something that's missing, please let me know and we'll add it in the appropriate place.
For sets where both languages were available, a scan of the same card in each language would be ideal.
Thanks!
Tav