Jump to content
The Dark Mod Forums

where are the missions localization/how now works the localization system


ECHELON

Recommended Posts

Tels server holds pretty much every missions, but to me it looks like it has only the initial packages to get the translators going.

Comparing which translations have been actually included in the l10-pk4's, I see a large gap to what is claimed as 'done' on the Translation-Progress Wiki.

So,... what is the place where translators were asked to put their finished translations to?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I know Patently Dangerous was translated into at least French & Russian (and IIRC one or more others) because the translators contacted me directly to ask for permission & questions. And I recall they did that for a few other FMs too. This was way back at the beginning when translators just rewrote the .xm files & released new translated .pk4s that they put up on their respective forums. So you can maybe find translations done for a number of missions that route... which is aside from getting them i18n ready.

 

Edit: Incidentally, if I wanted to translate the core mod to Japanese, how would I go about it? I can see the wiki entry for FMs, but is there one for the mod itself?

Edit2: Ah, well first it seems TDM needs the fonts for it (& contrary to what the Charset wiki says, Japanese doesn't need to go top-bottom. It can be written left-right like European languages as well. So the same gui could be used)

What do you see when you turn out the light? I can't tell you but I know that it's mine.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Mmm yes, i can answer a lot of questions and i know perfectly how i18n works.

 

The link tels gave contains the translations and the 1.08 converted missions. This convertion work was done parallel with the "normal" missions because a lot of mappers was not interested of the convertion/translations so the files stayed separately.

 

Now, as I mentioned before, to get this translations work we need to convert each mission to i18n system and then the translations will work. But there are several problems:

 

-first, should be create a "link" between the converted 2.0 numbers and the translations numbers.

-second, if a mapper have to update a mission he should reconvert it to work again with translation.

 

We could do a try: choose a mission 2.0 (from the translated missions), i convert it and test the translation.

 

p.s. if every mapper convert their missions, the work will be "small" because is distributed among many people.

Edited by ECHELON
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Ok, so i've done a test with one mission: house in blackbog hollow.

 

I've take the 2.0, converted and then linked the strings to the translation. Now the translation works. Here's the two files:

 

http://www.mediafire...c00sy4fdjw1avkd

http://www.mediafire...eldvsbnvlard7n9

 

Now, the dilemma is will these converted missions be inserted in place of "non-converted" missions? otherwise we are in a deadlock.

 

I want to clarify that the converted mission can run fine without the translation package, so it is equal to a mission is not converted but with extended functionality

Edited by ECHELON
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Now, the dilemma is will these converted missions be inserted in place of "non-converted" missions? otherwise we are in a deadlock.

 

Didn't we have a big long thread a year ago where mappers who wanted to gave their permission for their missions to be translated?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I don't think that was the one I was thinking of. There was one specifically devoted to mappers giving their permission to have their missions translated. I remember it well, as Sotha and I took a great deal of heat for not allowing our original mission files to be altered.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Didn't we have a big long thread a year ago where mappers who wanted to gave their permission for their missions to be translated?

 

Oh yes, we did. The thing is that right now, the translator has to do the whole job as described above (changing the string lines into placeholders, extracting them, translating them etc.). There is no workflow in Dark Radiant that encourages the mapper to use placeholders instead of strings. As you are aware, some missions rely heavily on readables, so it is quite a hassle. I do NOT want to start the discussion anew, but at least for me, the whole process was discouraging enough to not bother with translation anymore.

 

I think it would help a lot if l10n would be integrated into the mapping process itself, as I described above. That would still leave a lot to do for the translator, but it would ease the burden a little.

My Eigenvalue is bigger than your Eigenvalue.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Oh yes, we did. The thing is that right now, the translator has to do the whole job as described above (changing the string lines into placeholders, extracting them, translating them etc.). There is no workflow in Dark Radiant that encourages the mapper to use placeholders instead of strings. As you are aware, some missions rely heavily on readables, so it is quite a hassle. I do NOT want to start the discussion anew, but at least for me, the whole process was discouraging enough to not bother with translation anymore.

 

I think it would help a lot if l10n would be integrated into the mapping process itself, as I described above. That would still leave a lot to do for the translator, but it would ease the burden a little.

 

Yes, the best result would be darkradiant produce directly converted mission so that both translator and mapper don't do any more work, even if the mission is updated.

 

Then, is your choose if you want to be converted/translated missions but remember this is the last time i give my availability to help with i18n project. If you, dark mod developers, are not interested of i18n simply tell me and i return to my previous commitments. But in this case is over for me the partnership with dark mod team.

Edited by ECHELON
  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Yes, one of the problems is that the converted mission is no longer easily edited by mappers using the GUI Editor in DR.

 

An abstraction in DR that makes this invisible to mappers would be quite helpful...

Please visit TDM's IndieDB site and help promote the mod:

 

http://www.indiedb.com/mods/the-dark-mod

 

(Yeah, shameless promotion... but traffic is traffic folks...)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

its that, correcting what look like spelling mistakes when they are intentional spelling mistakes because they're clue's to hidden objectives with in the map, is the thing I don't like about the translations.

 

I really object to one of my maps being translated and messed with without getting asked about it first.

Edited by stumpy
Link to comment
Share on other sites

stumpy, I don't think anyone would really do that. I for one always first asked for the mapper's permission to t/l the FM.

My Eigenvalue is bigger than your Eigenvalue.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

its that, correcting what look like spelling mistakes when they are intentional spelling mistakes because they're clue's to hidden objectives with in the map, is the thing I don't like about the translations.

 

I really object to one of my maps being translated and messed with without getting asked about it first.

 

 

However, how 7upMan said, if you don't want that your mission will be translated, simply say No. The translators will go ahead with other missions.

Edited by ECHELON
Link to comment
Share on other sites

What language offers the best experience is of no consequence to people who can't read it. And permission is of no consequence to those who have no respect for it. TDM is too open and unrestrictive to leave the matter to temptation. There will be those who see the lack of a translation as a call to action. It's best to entrust the task to someone who at least respects you enough to ask. If an officially sanctioned translation exists, there is no reason to seek one out or create one yourself.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

What language offers the best experience is of no consequence to people who can't read it.

 

Absolutely. Also, we know that with the release of TDM 2.0, Poland and Germany have the highest number of downloads, and people from both countries aren't necessarily the best English speakers in the world, as opposed to, say, Scandinavians or the Benelux countries. Southern Europeans have their issue with the English language too, so most subtle stuff or puns are completely lost for any of them. t might just be me, but I think reaching out to these people is better than them deleting their copy of TDM simply for the lack of missions in their native language.

My Eigenvalue is bigger than your Eigenvalue.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Not just puns. A lot of hints in readables are subtle uses of English, like implications that are easy to miss when it's not your first language. I still think translators ought to ask for permission of course, but I'd personally encourage mappers to be very open in allowing it, and to give the translator latitude to translate it the best way that works for the target language. I've seen so many examples before of strict translations that might be more by the book, but it reads stilted and dull. It's the job of the translator to let it sparkle in the target language too.

 

For the record, I love the version of whoever translated my FM into French. There are so many dark & foreboding readables in mine; somehow reading them in French was a lot more fun than I expected.

What do you see when you turn out the light? I can't tell you but I know that it's mine.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

And permission is of no consequence to those who have no respect for it.

 

The missions ultimately have to be hosted by us (unless people don't want them available from the in game downloader, and then people can spread around whatever bootleg copies they want), and I doubt we're going to host anything that was modified against the original author's wishes.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The main thing i'm asking here is that the darkradiant produces the converted mission (it is equal as the original and not modified from external people).

 

Then, if someone want to translate the mission, simply ask the mapper the permission and do the translation.

 

This way there are NO problems because the mission is converted automatically by the dark radiant and the translator do his work only with permission.

 

Is this realizzable?

Edited by ECHELON
Link to comment
Share on other sites

We don't really have anyone working on DR full time, so I'm not sure what the likelihood of this is. Should be added to the tracker, though.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.


  • Recent Status Updates

    • nbohr1more

      TDM 15th Anniversary Contest is now active! Please declare your participation: https://forums.thedarkmod.com/index.php?/topic/22413-the-dark-mod-15th-anniversary-contest-entry-thread/
       
      · 0 replies
    • JackFarmer

      @TheUnbeholden
      You cannot receive PMs. Could you please be so kind and check your mailbox if it is full (or maybe you switched off the function)?
      · 1 reply
    • OrbWeaver

      I like the new frob highlight but it would nice if it was less "flickery" while moving over objects (especially barred metal doors).
      · 4 replies
    • nbohr1more

      Please vote in the 15th Anniversary Contest Theme Poll
       
      · 0 replies
    • Ansome

      Well then, it's been about a week since I released my first FM and I must say that I was very pleasantly surprised by its reception. I had expected half as much interest in my short little FM as I received and even less when it came to positive feedback, but I am glad that the aspects of my mission that I put the most heart into were often the most appreciated. It was also delightful to read plenty of honest criticism and helpful feedback, as I've already been given plenty of useful pointers on improving my brushwork, level design, and gameplay difficulty.
      I've gotten back into the groove of chipping away at my reading and game list, as well as the endless FM catalogue here, but I may very well try my hand at the 15th anniversary contest should it materialize. That is assuming my eyes are ready for a few more months of Dark Radiant's bright interface while burning the midnight oil, of course!
      · 4 replies
×
×
  • Create New...