Web Design Forums

monfu · 12-09-2003, 07:43

Hello All,

I am designing a dynamic webpage in English language, and I wish to have it translated to various languages on the fly. What I wish to do is for example, enter some text in the back-end console in English, and then this is translated dynamically in various languages on my web page, in the various language sections. Is this possible? Does a component exist for this? Or do I have to do it all manually?

Thanks for your help and time

Bill Posters · 12-09-2003, 07:58

Afaik, there aren't any automated engines that can do a good, grammar-correct job of translating entire sentences and paragraphs between languages.

The results are likely to produce bad grammar which highlights an absence of professionalism and makes the site look crunchingly amateurish.

Unless you can find a solid, 100%-faultfree engine (if such a thing exists at present, which I doubt) then I'd steer clear of trying to automate the translation process.

Stickman · 12-09-2003, 08:03

http://www.google.co.uk/language_tools?hl=en

Like Bill says, automated translation is full of errors.

monfu · 12-09-2003, 08:14

So how are multilanguage websites done? They translate every page?

Bill Posters · 12-09-2003, 08:34

...which is why it will generally cost you a whole lot more for professional multilingual sites than professional monolingual sites.

Alot of care is taken to ensure that the phraseology isn't just translated accurately*, but that colloquialisms are adjusted to convey they right message to the right audience.
(* technically accurate translations can often appear as nonsense to 'foreign' audiences.)

monfu · 12-09-2003, 08:40

Ah I get the message, so no multilanguage website for the moment

)

oli · 12-09-2003, 08:44

post on scriptlance.com for translaters, you will get it done quite cheaply there.

Mr Fred · 12-09-2003, 08:47

ahem.....

what monfu wants is perfectly easy to do but at a cost.

Its all to do with translation memories.

We use trados to build translations (terms, phrases etc) and then to export xml / sgml.

It is then parsed to produce web pages.

These pages can be static or dynamic depending on what is needed.

It is very expensive though if website has to be dynami - it takes time to do and you have to pay (at least £50 per hour)

there are lots of options but generally this is how you would do it.

and we hav'nt even mentioned localistaion

dorian · 12-09-2003, 08:48

Quote:

They translate every page?

yes!
trust me - i speak a few....

Mr Fred · 12-09-2003, 08:49

if you build up tm's ( translations memories) it is quick and easy to output changes and its almost instant web updates

Mr Fred · 12-09-2003, 08:50

Quote:

Originally posted by oli
post on scriptlance.com for translaters, you will get it done quite cheaply there.

ahem........

Brown · 12-09-2003, 08:53

no, there are ways to do it but they're very expensive.

i used a company who store all your translations in a database and if you enter a phrase that's already been translated, then it uses that translation - if its word for word then it uploads it straight away - otherwise it enters the translator's workflow. they always get a native language speaking person to read through it first so that it actually makes sense. people get emailed and click a button to say, yes correct, or no, back to the translators.

costs lots of dollars though - its semi-automated, guessing you wanted something for free eh? can't remember the url off the top of my head. will dig it out.

things to also remember other than just translation - iconography - pictures mean different things in differnt communities. images - stick to plain text and then you don't have to make loads of differnt gifs - have to release psd's to translators / font issues etc etc.

like bill says, colloquialisms are to be avoided. in england we say things like; 'i'm so hungry, i could eat a horse' and people know that you're not really gonna eat a horse, you're just hyperbolising. our french neighbours on the other side of the channel here however will probably make a dash for the fridge where they've got a nice stash of fine racing breed horse meat. dirty bastards.

tomson · 12-09-2003, 10:25

Worked on a few multi-lingual sites and have always used copywriters fluent in the language(s) needed (rather than translators), found it was the best way to ensure consistent tone of voice throughout.

Having fuck ups in the content makes a site look really amateur.

mgpwr · 13-08-2006, 09:37

try asking around at universities etc... maybe some student in the language you need will be willing to take on this project for a small fee!

cam · 13-08-2006, 09:58

tomson's reply: 12-09-2003, 15:25

mgpwr's reply: 13-08-2005, 14:37

better late than never? no.

12-09-2003, 07:43	#1 (permalink)
monfu Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Malta Posts: 3	Language Translators Hello All, I am designing a dynamic webpage in English language, and I wish to have it translated to various languages on the fly. What I wish to do is for example, enter some text in the back-end console in English, and then this is translated dynamically in various languages on my web page, in the various language sections. Is this possible? Does a component exist for this? Or do I have to do it all manually? Thanks for your help and time

12-09-2003, 08:44	#7 (permalink)
oli Free Ring Ding™ Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Manchester Posts: 9,535	post on scriptlance.com for translaters, you will get it done quite cheaply there. __________________ ..................

13-08-2006, 09:58	#15 (permalink)
cam vague™ Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Glasgow Posts: 5,193	tomson's reply: 12-09-2003, 15:25 mgpwr's reply: 13-08-2005, 14:37 better late than never? no. __________________ Random goodness at The Blog™

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12-09-2003, 07:58	#2 (permalink)
Bill Posters trouble free and loverlee Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: YooKay Posts: 2,899	Afaik, there aren't any automated engines that can do a good, grammar-correct job of translating entire sentences and paragraphs between languages. The results are likely to produce bad grammar which highlights an absence of professionalism and makes the site look crunchingly amateurish. Unless you can find a solid, 100%-faultfree engine (if such a thing exists at present, which I doubt) then I'd steer clear of trying to automate the translation process.

12-09-2003, 08:03	#3 (permalink)
Stickman Dr. Lucien Sanchez Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: UK Posts: 5,632	http://www.google.co.uk/language_tools?hl=en Like Bill says, automated translation is full of errors.

12-09-2003, 08:14	#4 (permalink)
monfu Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Malta Posts: 3	So how are multilanguage websites done? They translate every page?

12-09-2003, 08:34	#5 (permalink)
Bill Posters trouble free and loverlee Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: YooKay Posts: 2,899	...which is why it will generally cost you a whole lot more for professional multilingual sites than professional monolingual sites. Alot of care is taken to ensure that the phraseology isn't just translated accurately, but that colloquialisms are adjusted to convey they right message to the right audience. ( technically accurate translations can often appear as nonsense to 'foreign' audiences.)

12-09-2003, 08:40	#6 (permalink)
monfu Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Malta Posts: 3	Ah I get the message, so no multilanguage website for the moment )

12-09-2003, 08:47	#8 (permalink)
Mr Fred Magazines™ Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Glasgow.. Posts: 11,275	ahem..... what monfu wants is perfectly easy to do but at a cost. Its all to do with translation memories. We use trados to build translations (terms, phrases etc) and then to export xml / sgml. It is then parsed to produce web pages. These pages can be static or dynamic depending on what is needed. It is very expensive though if website has to be dynami - it takes time to do and you have to pay (at least £50 per hour) there are lots of options but generally this is how you would do it. and we hav'nt even mentioned localistaion

12-09-2003, 08:49	#10 (permalink)
Mr Fred Magazines™ Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Glasgow.. Posts: 11,275	if you build up tm's ( translations memories) it is quick and easy to output changes and its almost instant web updates

12-09-2003, 08:53	#12 (permalink)
Brown volkswagen yellow & gold Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: london, england. Posts: 6,214	no, there are ways to do it but they're very expensive. i used a company who store all your translations in a database and if you enter a phrase that's already been translated, then it uses that translation - if its word for word then it uploads it straight away - otherwise it enters the translator's workflow. they always get a native language speaking person to read through it first so that it actually makes sense. people get emailed and click a button to say, yes correct, or no, back to the translators. costs lots of dollars though - its semi-automated, guessing you wanted something for free eh? can't remember the url off the top of my head. will dig it out. things to also remember other than just translation - iconography - pictures mean different things in differnt communities. images - stick to plain text and then you don't have to make loads of differnt gifs - have to release psd's to translators / font issues etc etc. like bill says, colloquialisms are to be avoided. in england we say things like; 'i'm so hungry, i could eat a horse' and people know that you're not really gonna eat a horse, you're just hyperbolising. our french neighbours on the other side of the channel here however will probably make a dash for the fridge where they've got a nice stash of fine racing breed horse meat. dirty bastards.

12-09-2003, 10:25	#13 (permalink)
tomson hairball Join Date: May 2003 Location: London Posts: 3,158	Worked on a few multi-lingual sites and have always used copywriters fluent in the language(s) needed (rather than translators), found it was the best way to ensure consistent tone of voice throughout. Having fuck ups in the content makes a site look really amateur.

13-08-2006, 09:37	#14 (permalink)
mgpwr with a hint of lemon Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Hull Posts: 476	try asking around at universities etc... maybe some student in the language you need will be willing to take on this project for a small fee!

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