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Language barrier fix
Posted: Wed Nov 19, 2014 8:32 pm
by kollex
In settings menu, players selects languages he/she can speak/understand.
Then there are two options here:
1. Simple one. This info is diplayed in the pop-up over char when selected.
2. Better one. An online translate service is used to translate some or all of the messages. This could be implemented as a set of options, like 'translate PMs', 'translate general chat' and/or chat commands, e.g. /wt for 'whisper translated', /msgt, etc.
Re: Language barrier fix
Posted: Wed Nov 19, 2014 10:43 pm
by RyoHazuki
That would be awesome but don't hold your breath....
The language pack for just one language is about 250mb, that's 5 times more then the game itself.
Another way around it is to add a page of emotes that are part of the game (not the android ones as not all android support them)
Re: Language barrier fix
Posted: Wed Nov 19, 2014 10:44 pm
by RyoHazuki
For instance, we could have 'wait' 'follow' 'sell' 'buy' etc
Re: Language barrier fix
Posted: Wed Nov 19, 2014 11:06 pm
by kollex
Why use language packs? I suggested using online service, there are free APIs one can use, AFAIK, like Bing
Re: Language barrier fix
Posted: Wed Nov 19, 2014 11:41 pm
by Piffl / El Majo
About this:
1-Online traslators are a help sometimes, but the traslations the most ocasions must be very chaotic. This is not only traslate word by word. The prhases structures are very different betwen languages.
2-The online traslator fail if some letter is mistyped, you use abreviations or the spelling is bad......
3- Integrate on game a traslator is really hard because its a external aplication. There is copyrights, code compability, etc......and as DavidIcke sayd, integrate the dictionarys on the game could make the game many big/hard for the most devices.
I knows sometimes the language is a barrier.......but I learned the most of my English just playing FT. And learn English is always a useful tool for you real life.
We have too a lot of spoken languages by some staff member. Sometimes, a forum PM can solve the players doubts in his own language.
Your idea was good, but not possible atm. Thanks for the input in any case.
Re: Language barrier fix
Posted: Wed Nov 19, 2014 11:51 pm
by RyoHazuki
Are they free for.commercial use?
That's what use in this game would class as, also, it would probably make the game lag somewhat.
It certainly would be helpful for communicating with other people.
Personally, i don't mind logging out and using google translate to talk to someone.
But, when they're speaking in another language, it's hard to remember what they said, and most people expect.you.to be able to but we can't even copy and paste text that has been said, so it's just impossible. Especially with languages like chinese/japanese/russian/any other language with different alphabet to english (also the ones with same alphabet but thäť ĺöôk łïkê ťhîś)
Google Translate is best used when both parties are using it. But try explaining that to someone who doesn't speak english (even with google.translate)
Re: Language barrier fix
Posted: Thu Nov 20, 2014 12:10 am
by MadMikael
I think the emotes are the best idea. Symbols etc. for yes, no, up, down, left, right, move, wait, etc.
Re: Language barrier fix
Posted: Thu Nov 20, 2014 3:21 am
by kollex
Well, yes, commercial use may be a problem for online translation engines being free, but i only suggested them as the best quality solution. There are others, however. Since all messages are sent to server, the translation can be done server-side, it would not take a much processing time and would not add to the network-related lagging _at all_. And it will not have significant increase in .apk distributives either.
Of course, translation between languages is not perfect, and engines can fail recognizing mistyped words and fail with grammar, but it's definitely better than nothing. I have no problem myself alt-tabbing the Bluestakcs and using google translate (one-way sometimes, though). But the game's designed for android and it's more complicated to do so in this OS. And it's not like the aim here is to facilitate deep conversations here, right? A native speaker will understand phrases like 'please go top', 'i sale shirt 50' or 'need help quest'. Yes, it will fail sometimes, but it will solve some rough edges the way communication in the game is now.
Re: Language barrier fix
Posted: Thu Nov 20, 2014 3:57 am
by RyoHazuki
Yes Kollex, i know exactly what you mean. But i think it might be a lot.of work. I hope it does get implemented, but for now, at least we have google translate.
I've put.the GT app on my home screen so i can just leave ft and go directly into google translate with just 2 clicks.
Re: Language barrier fix
Posted: Thu Nov 20, 2014 12:30 pm
by Insider
MadMikael wrote:I think the emotes are the best idea. Symbols etc. for yes, no, up, down, left, right, move, wait, etc.