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Topic: Subtitles in your own language, is it possible? (Read 5372 times)
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LiquidPEANUT
Zebranky food
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Posts: 1
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I've been thinking about this a long time. At every conversation there are subtitles, but what if it is possible to make the subtitles at your own language while the speech remain original? I'm Dutch and I don't have any trouble reading and listening English. But a friend of mine is having trouble reading and listening English. The Dutch subtitles wil make it possible to understand the story more. Also the other players from other countries would be able to understand more. I thought while it is open source it maybe could be a good idea at the next version. What do you think (I mean the players and the programmers of course  )? And of course: Is it possible...?
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Lukipela
Enlightened
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The Ancient One
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It is possible and has been done. For some reason, I can't manage to get the forums search function to show any results on any search, but as I recall there have been projects to translate it to at least german and russian, possibly other languages as well. It's supposedly fairly easy to swap the text fies, but the actual translation will be of course be much more challenging.
UQM contains numerous puns and wordplays that are specific to english and that are ptentially hard to translate. Sure, just the words can easily enough be translated, but the meaning and spirit is much much tougher.
*cue meep to come in and give his umgah example, and link to wherever in the FAQ's and ultronomicon these kind of projects are stored.
EDIT : Well, the info you seek is here. But I like the example, so I hope meep can come in and give it again.
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« Last Edit: October 24, 2006, 10:45:53 pm by Lukipela »
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Novus
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Fot or not?
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I always found it odd that someone wanted to do a finnish translation. Please don't misunderstand me, I'm not criticizing the project. It just seems a tad... unnecessary.
I mean german or spanish or (especially) french sure, all those people belonging to major languages who dub their television shows tend to have a weak grasp of foreign languages (Stereotyping YAY!. Not everyone. but a lot).
In my experience, many French people have an actively hostile or at least indifferent attitude toward other languages, including English. They are also sufficiently many to demand translations. None of this applies to Finns; not speaking English is a major career blocker in many cases in Finland.
But finnish? There is more english spoken on TV in finland then actual finnish. I'd always assumed that anyone capable of using a computer in Finland would also have a good enough grasp of the english language to enjoy this game.
It is true that computer games are very seldom translated into Finnish and there appears to be little demand for it. A few top-selling games may get translated manuals and packaging (e.g. Worms, Starcraft, GTA3), but the translation is often quick and dirty. The game itself is (luckily) seldom translated at all. Reviewers often complain if subtitles are completely missing, but English subtitles are usually considered sufficient. Foreign pre-recorded programmes are usually subtitled in Finnish (although foreign channels (e.g. BBC World) usually aren't).
Still, that is an impressive translation Novus. Obviously the people doing the translation are talented and capable.
Just in case someone misunderstood, I would like to point out that I am in no way related to the Finnish UQM translation project other than having downloaded their translation to see how they handled this sort of thing (quite well, as far as I can tell as a non-native speaker). I even had to google the idiom the pun hinged on to accurately translate it back to English. But yes, the translation is impressive.
As the FAQ says:
Teemme tätä käännöstä lähinnä huvin ja urheilun vuoksi, ja ainahan on teoreettisesti mahdollista että joku englantia heikommin ymmärtävä ilahtuu tästä.
I.e.: "We're doing this translation mostly for fun and sport, and it's always theoretically possible that someone with problems understanding English appreciates this.". I've been playing around with the idea of a Swedish translation, but:
- I don't think anyone really needs or wants one; Luki's comment supports this.
- I may be a passable technical writer, but dialogue is not something I have experience with.
- Being a Finland-Swede, there is a non-negligible chance that my translation sounds weird to most Swedish speakers.
- Recruiting translators could be hard work.
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Lukipela
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The Ancient One
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In my experience, many French people have an actively hostile or at least indifferent attitude toward other languages, including English.
This was what I was saying in a polite manner.
Just in case someone misunderstood, I would like to point out that I am in no way related to the Finnish UQM translation project other than having downloaded their translation to see how they handled this sort of thing (quite well, as far as I can tell as a non-native speaker).
Sorry if I gave the impression that this was the case, I do realise that you aren't a part of that project.
Teemme tätä käännöstä lähinnä huvin ja urheilun vuoksi, ja ainahan on teoreettisesti mahdollista että joku englantia heikommin ymmärtävä ilahtuu tästä.
Well, creating for the purpose of creating I can certainly understand. Maybe I should have just had a look at their FAQ instead of blathering pointlessly.
I've been playing around with the idea of a Swedish translation, but: - I don't think anyone really needs or wants one; Luki's comment supports this.
- I may be a passable technical writer, but dialogue is not something I have experience with.
- Being a Finland-Swede, there is a non-negligible chance that my translation sounds weird to most Swedish speakers.
- Recruiting translators could be hard work.
- Well, unless you just create it for the joy of creating like your finnish brethren.
- Perhaps this could bring out a new, more emotional and cultural part of your writing talent?
- Technically I think what you speak is defined as "Östsvenska" (Eastern Swedish) according to swedish linguists. It's just another swedish dialect, no more So even if it sounds weird to swedish-speakers, it is just as correct as a version made in "skånska" (weird dialect in southern sweden). Go cultural diversity?
- Oh, I'm sure many swedish speakers such as Arne and erm.. some other people would be happy to devote countless hours to this project. I'd love to help, but unfortunately I don't speak the language.
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