WhySoSad
Posts: 11
7/3/2014
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Dear Lady's and Gentlemen,
what would you say about a Community Translation Tool so we could localize the Game to different Languages for the Dev's?
Im not the best English Speaker / Reader but normally i understand what i read but the Story are very very difficult english too understand.
So localisation for the Game would be just awesome and i know there are already many request's. And im pretty sure if the Dev release there Text File's the Community gonna handel it for them !
Greetings
WhySoSad
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Lady Eris
Posts: 162
5/17/2015
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I think you are being unfair to Babelfish, Zado. To me, her comments seem entirely reasonable. I don't think translation would be at all a simple matter, and I don't think it's unreasonable to say that Failbetter would be concerned about the impact a poor translation would have on their reputation - that seems a pretty obvious concern.
I think - and I am not attempting to put words into the mouths of FBG here, just talking from my own perception - that the way FBG write text means that it works on so many levels that a really good translation would be very difficult indeed. You could render a superficial translation that gave the story fairly easily, but there is much more than that. Failbetter use complex wordplay, and weave allusions and references into their games in such a way that I imagine a translation that conveyed them in any comparable way to the original would not be easy.
I can see why speakers of other languages are frustrated - I would be too - and I can understand that a translation that gives just the essence of the story would be sufficient for them. But I can also see why FBG wouldn't want to settle for any translation that didn't mirror the original entirely. A Failbetter game without all the wordplay and literary allusions would have had its heart and soul ripped out.
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Lady Eris Psmith, Society darling, devoted wife. Dangerous when crossed. Accepts most social invitations. Distributor of Parabolan Kittens. Welcomes new acquaintances, especially those who write 'in character'.
William Templeton, Viscount Manningham, newcomer, gentleman, all-round good egg - accepting absolutely all invitations.
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babelfishwars
Administrator
Posts: 1152
7/3/2014
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I would imagine the problem is unless they spoke the language, they wouldn't be able to check the quality of the localisation. And since the game's strength is it's words (fine, fine, I'm biased), it would risk compromising their reputation internationally if they couldn't match the standard of the original. And implementing it would still take time they don't have. (As would creating the translation tool.)
They have said they don't currently plan translations in a similar query on the Steam discussion. That's not a never, though.
(There were more detailed remarks elsewhere, I'll edit if I find them.)
edited by babelfishwars on 7/3/2014
edited by babelfishwars on 7/3/2014
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Mars, God of Fish; Leaning Tower of Fish
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Mr. Zane
Posts: 62
5/18/2015
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Indeed, there is a large difference between a simple translation and the complex and evocative wordplay that Failbetter Games uses. And considering that part of the allure for some is the use of an outdated, archaic form of speech, it truly is quite imperative that any translation be done at a master level, and not by an automated system or college level.
For example, FBG might use "Oh come now, good sir.", whereas Zado's post contains "ahhh come on REALY ?". While the two phrases share the same basic meaning and intent, one could not say they were equal. Much of the atmosphere that makes Fallen London great would be lost, which would not reflect well upon them.
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"Yes, I realize that projecting my internal dialogue onto my cat is probably not the healthiest way of dealing with stressful situations."
"Meow."
"No, murder is not the answer. You always suggest that."
http://fallenlondon.storynexus.com/Profile/Warren~Zane
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marcmagus
Posts: 168
5/18/2015
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A note to people who seem to have missed it: this suggestion was regarding Sunless Sea, not Fallen London.
That said, Sunless Sea also has a lot of words. It is also a game where a large portion of the pleasure comes from the words and the quality of the writing. A straight translation would not do it justice, it would want a proper localization.
It seems unlikely that Sunless Sea could be translated to another language in only a week, although with a sufficiently large team and sufficiently low standards it's probably possible. The idea that it could be localized in under a week is laughable.
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marcmagus, a scholar of the Correspondence of some minor note and bold explorer of the new Unterzee.
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Talkes
Posts: 90
5/17/2015
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As a non-native English speaker I as well occasionally find it challenging to keep up with the story without using dictionary or google-translate.
However, as far as I see, the style of writing, usage of all those Victorian-ish magnificent oddities and jargons are most crucial for sustaining the atmosphere of Fallen London. And that is what I love about this place.
That is why I wouldn't like to see a half-heartedly made translation that would frustrate me way more than occasional need to look something up. And while there may be some point in a partial translation of some starting content for the sake of attracting new players who may be not very well-versed in the language (for example, translating Benefactor story while also presenting him as your compatriot (and giving him a valid reason to care about some just-out-of-Newgate shady character)), full translation seems to be inappropriate (it's usually english that's spoken in London) and hardly achievable.
Also, it's a good reason and means to review and expand your knowledge of the subject.
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http://fallenlondon.storynexus.com/Profile/Talkes
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"Many" Chin
Posts: 383
5/18/2015
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i don't speak/read german but if #echobazaar/#fallenlondon/#sunlesssea was translated into common chineses or cantonese, it would be seriously weird.
edited by rebelanarch-82 on 5/18/2015
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"My little China girl/You shouldn't mess with me/I'll ruin everything you are/I'll give you television/I'll give you eyes of blue/I'll give you man who wants to rule the world"
- The Goblin King.
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