I’m about to launch an app, Cannon Cat, http://www.cannoncat.com and I’m looking for a translation service for Russian, Brazilian Portuguese, and French.
Has anyone used a service they’d recommend? [import]uid: 27183 topic_id: 24789 reply_id: 324789[/import]
Straker.com.au (Australian company) I have heard good things about, as well as translated.net. [import]uid: 52491 topic_id: 24789 reply_id: 100514[/import]
Hi Peach,
Thanks for the recommendations. Have you used either of those companies? I’m wondering what the costs are like and how do we verify the quality of the translation? And how are on-going updates handled?
[import]uid: 27183 topic_id: 24789 reply_id: 100580[/import]
I haven’t used either company myself but I know others who have (developers and email marketers mostly).
Hopefully someone can answer your specific questions, or you might write to one of the companies suggested.
Sorry I don’t have personal experience to advise 
[import]uid: 52491 topic_id: 24789 reply_id: 100756[/import]
onehourtranslation.com.
Really cheap and really fast.
Used them often. Quickresponses and corrections if needed.
Did I mention really cheap? [import]uid: 100901 topic_id: 24789 reply_id: 100778[/import]
@Peach no worries thanks for the references. I eventually went with icanlocalize.com since it’s on the Apple list of translation services and it was recommended to me by the CrawlSpaceGames team.
My concern is that the translation services should have experience with games and fiction. And they need to be able to translate with some poetic license. It’s one thing to translate a website or technical manual, but another to translate a work of art and names properly to capture the intent of the author.
@T.alberga Thanks for the response.
icanlocalize.com charged us $114 to translate into Portuguese, French, German, Korean, Swedish, Dutch, Italian, and Russian.
Turn around time was less than 12 hours for all of it, and that includes corresponding with the Russian translator. The setup process was kind of iffy, but we got some results. It’s hard to verify if the translation is correct. We got a German translation done, and I asked another Corona member to verify it to see if it’s accurate. Google Translate can only help so much. 
I was mostly concerned with how names are translated.
I checked the Russian translation and Cannon Cat got translated to Battle Cat. It might make some sort of sense, but Cannon Cat is all about flying (from cannon to cannon). After corresponding with our translator, he choose a more appropriate Pilot Cat to capture the spirit of the character.
Here’s the text we had:
You have to help us! The skyfish are being imprisoned in bubbles by the Evil Emu! All of us are in great danger!
Cannon Cat, please help! Only YOU can soar through the sky from cannon to cannon with such ease. And your spark-suit has so many powers. We have heard of your legend far and wide. Please come. There isn’t much time!
Oh no! Here comes the Evil Emu now! He’s inside a giant robot and… [END OF TRANSMISSION]
Cannon Cat is a 2-D action/adventure game where you soar from cannon to cannon with just one-tap! It’s easy to learn and anyone can pick it up. But timing is everything! Cannons, enemy penguins, bouncy blowfish and many other characters join the story to make things fun and challenging. But don’t worry because Cannon Cat’s spark-suit has tons of awesome powerups to help you on your quest! Full of interesting puzzles, quirky characters, and fun gameplay, Cannon Cat is sure to keep you entertained!
So what are you waiting for!? The skyfish need your help!
And here it is in French:
Vous devez nous aider ! Les exocets sont emprisonnés dans des bulles par le Diabolique Émeu ! Nous sommes tous en grand danger !
Chat Canon, aide nous ! VOUS êtes le seul à pouvoir évoluer dans le ciel d’un canon à un autre avec une telle facilité. Et ton costume-d’étincelles a tant de pouvoirs. Les échos de ta légende nous sont parvenus de tous les horizons. Viens s’il te plaît. Le temps presse !
Oh non ! Voici à présent le Diabolique Émeu ! Il se trouve à l’intérieur d’un robot géant et… [FIN DE LA TRANSMISSION]
Chat Canon est un jeu d’action et d’aventure en 2-D, dans lequel tu peux passer d’un canon à un autre avec une seule pression ! Il est facile à apprendre et n’importe qui peut le faire. Mais le timing compte plus que tout ! Des canons, des pingouins ennemis, des poissons globe sauteurs et plein d’autres personnages se joignent à l’histoire pour rendre les choses amusantes et difficiles. Mais ne t’inquiète pas parce que le costume-d’étincelles de Chat Canon possède des tonnes de réserves incroyables pour t’aider dans ta quête ! Plein de problèmes intéressants, de personnages bizarres, et amusant à jouer, Canon Chat te promet à coup sûr des heures d’amusement renouvelées !
Alors, qu’attends-tu !? Les exocets ont besoin de ton aide !
So skyfish got translated to Exocet. I have no idea if that’s really accurate since that shows a missile as the first result on google.
So all in all, I’m still open to suggestions for the future to find a service with a reputation for doing game/fiction translations. [import]uid: 27183 topic_id: 24789 reply_id: 100823[/import]
Hey, Don, I have a question regarding the localization process. My question may not exactly belong to this thread, but I suppose it’s relative enough.
So… I’m wondering if you used a separate module for each different language. Meaning, using string variable, plugging the English and other translated text to the game. If so, what file format did you ask the translator to deliver?
If the translator delivers a lua file (edited from English to target language), is that all it needs (other than specifying the supported language and making sure to point to the matching lua file via code)… ?
Naomi [import]uid: 67217 topic_id: 24789 reply_id: 100828[/import]
Hi Naomi,
We haven’t localized the game yet. We’re just translating the metadata description. But we’re are thinking about it. For Cannon Cat a lot of our text is rendered (outlines, gradients, etc), so for translation we’ll have to put all the words into files for the translators. If we do localize, I think we’ll have a dictionary for each language setup as tables that points to the string or file or sprite name.
For example:
local languages = {'en', 'de', 'fr', 'po', 'ru'} -- etc
local locale = 'fr'
local strings= {
'en' = {
'skyfish' = 'skyfish'
'Cannon Cat' = 'Cannon Cat'
'Evil Emu' = 'Evil Emu'
'sparks-suit' = 'sparks-suit'
},
'fr' = {
'skyfish' = 'Exocet'
'Cannon Cat' = 'Chat Canon'
'Evil Emu' = 'Diabolique Émeu'
'sparks-suit' = 'costume-d\'étincelles'
}
}
function getString(\_str)
return strings[locale][\_str]
end
I think each service will have a different setup. I looked at two of them: icanlocalize.com and tomodes.com. Tomodes is simple. Just upload a text file and that will be translated.
icanlocalize lets you upload in a number of formats. I was confused initially because they have an option to upload iphone resource files with strings in them, and we kept trying it with bad results. But they do have a plain doc option. They also have the option of allowing you to protect sections from translation. That’s how our key was translated.
It might be a hassle to provide them a code listing since you’ll have to protect the code from translation. But you can give them instructions to clarify what you want translated.
Here were our instructions:
We need the description of our game, Cannon Cat, translated into different languages for the iTunes App Store.
The first part of our description is dialogue from one of the characters (skyfish) in the game. So it should be conversational and sound like the character is sending out a plea for help from the hero of the game.
The second part of our description is more of a casual description of what our game is like and why it’s a great game.
The proper names of “Evil Emu”, “Cannon Cat”, “Skyfish” and “Sparks-suit” need to be localized. The skyfish are fish that fly in the sky, or flying fish. The Sparks-suit is the suit that Cannon Cat wears. It is powered by an energy called “Sparks”. There is a key at the end of the description so people understand how these proper names are translated in the game.
Here is the website for our game: http://www.cannoncat.com
This text will appear solely on the App Store and not inside the game. Also, we have included a note in the middle of the description that informs them that the text inside the game is actually in English.
[import]uid: 27183 topic_id: 24789 reply_id: 100832[/import]
If you post the dutch I can read it and see if it makes sense. [import]uid: 100901 topic_id: 24789 reply_id: 100839[/import]
Hi T.alberga
English:
You have to help us! The skyfish are being imprisoned in bubbles by the Evil Emu! All of us are in great danger!
Cannon Cat, please help! Only YOU can soar through the sky from cannon to cannon with such ease. And your spark-suit has so many powers. We have heard of your legend far and wide. Please come. There isn’t much time!
Oh no! Here comes the Evil Emu now! He’s inside a giant robot and… [END OF TRANSMISSION]
Cannon Cat is a 2-D action/adventure game where you soar from cannon to cannon with just one-tap! It’s easy to learn and anyone can pick it up. But timing is everything! Cannons, enemy penguins, bouncy blowfish and many other characters join the story to make things fun and challenging. But don’t worry because Cannon Cat’s spark-suit has tons of awesome powerups to help you on your quest! Full of interesting puzzles, quirky characters, and fun gameplay, Cannon Cat is sure to keep you entertained!
So what are you waiting for!? The skyfish need your help!
Dutch:
Je moet ons helpen! De vliegvissen worden gevangen in luchtbellen door de Kwade Emoe! We zijn allemaal in groot gevaar!
Kanon Kat, Help ons aub! Alleen JIJ kunt makkelijk door de lucht zweven van kanon naar kanon. En je vonkpak heeft zo veel bevoegdheden. We hebben heinde en verre van je legende gehoord. Kom alstublieft. Er is niet veel tijd!
O nee! Nu komt de Kwade Emoe! Hij is in een gigantische robot en… [Einde van de TRANSMISSIE]
Kanon Kat is een 2-D actie-/avontuurspel waar je van kanon tot kanon springt met slechts een tik! Het is gemakkelijk te leren en iedereen kan het spelen. Maar de timing is alles! Kanonnen, vijandelijke pinguïns, levendige kogelvissen en vele andere personages doen mee in het verhaal om dingen leuk en uitdagend te maken. Maar maak je geen zorgen, want het vonkpak van Kanon Kat heeft een heleboel geweldige power-ups om je te helpen in je doel! Vol interessante puzzels, eigenaardige personages en leuk spelplezier, je zult je zeker vermaken met Kanon Kat!
Dus waar wacht je nog op? De vliegvissen hebben je hulp nodig!
? ? ? Opmerking: Spel is in het Engels ? ? ?
skyfish = vliegvis
Cannon Cat = Kanon Kat
Evil Emu = Kwade Emoe
sparks-suit = vonkpak [import]uid: 27183 topic_id: 24789 reply_id: 100845[/import]
First word your word second the dutch translation (translation of the Dutch word to English). These are the words you might want to change.
skyfish==flyingfish
so many powers==so many permissions (the Dutch word used is the word you would use for the permissions a user has on a forum for example)
bouncy blowfish==lively blowfish
second translation of power ups is done correctly. [import]uid: 100901 topic_id: 24789 reply_id: 100846[/import]
Thanks T.alberga, but could you tell me what would be the appropriate dutch for “so many powers” into Dutch?
It seems like this person just pushed the translation through google translate. Maybe that’s too harsh, but my concerns seem to have been brought to light. Not all translation services capture the intent of the author. [import]uid: 27183 topic_id: 24789 reply_id: 100850[/import]
well Superman has super powers, that would translate to “super krachten”.
So powers could be translated as “krachten” , but you could also go for something like the suit has so many abilities/options which would translate to “mogelijkheden”
But I think “krachten” or “super krachten” would work best.
I would translate bouncy blowfish to stuiterende kogelvissen if bouncy means bouncing and not indeed lively fish [import]uid: 100901 topic_id: 24789 reply_id: 100853[/import]
You could always opt for the proof reading option if your translation service provides that.
[import]uid: 100901 topic_id: 24789 reply_id: 100855[/import]
Hey, Don, thanks for the reply post on localizing the in-game text. I was thinking of approaching it in the same way (in terms of integrating localized text to the game). It really helps to hear your experience in terms of working with the translation service.
Thanks again!
Naomi [import]uid: 67217 topic_id: 24789 reply_id: 100863[/import]
@T.alberga So do yo think this is appropriate? I used super krachten and stuiterende kogelvissen for super powers and bouncy blowfish, respectively.
I’m also considering using : tomodes.com to see if they can do better. They have an option to for game translation. I’m really looking for a fiction translation service. I’d be disappointed if the translation comes off as laughable or confusing in another language.
Je moet ons helpen! De vliegvissen worden gevangen in luchtbellen door de Kwade Emoe! We zijn allemaal in groot gevaar!
Kanon Kat, Help ons aub! Alleen JIJ kunt makkelijk door de lucht zweven van kanon naar kanon. En je vonkpak heeft zo veel super krachten. We hebben heinde en verre van je legende gehoord. Kom alstublieft. Er is niet veel tijd!
O nee! Nu komt de Kwade Emoe! Hij is in een gigantische robot en… [Einde van de TRANSMISSIE]
Kanon Kat is een 2-D actie-/avontuurspel waar je van kanon tot kanon springt met slechts een tik! Het is gemakkelijk te leren en iedereen kan het spelen. Maar de timing is alles! Kanonnen, vijandelijke pinguïns, stuiterende kogelvissen en vele andere personages doen mee in het verhaal om dingen leuk en uitdagend te maken. Maar maak je geen zorgen, want het vonkpak van Kanon Kat heeft een heleboel geweldige power-ups om je te helpen in je doel! Vol interessante puzzels, eigenaardige personages en leuk spelplezier, je zult je zeker vermaken met Kanon Kat!
Dus waar wacht je nog op? De vliegvissen hebben je hulp nodig!
? ? ? Opmerking: Spel is in het Engels ? ? ?
skyfish = vliegvis
Cannon Cat = Kanon Kat
Evil Emu = Kwade Emoe
sparks-suit = vonkpak [import]uid: 27183 topic_id: 24789 reply_id: 100868[/import]
@Naomi, no problem.
Yeah, I figured this would help out other people if I gave all the details. [import]uid: 27183 topic_id: 24789 reply_id: 100869[/import]
I´m currently working on a game, too. But it´s just basic stuff like art and gameplay. As I can say you have to be careful with some certain translations regarding to names and their intentions. Some websites seem to be working with Google Translator… 
[import]uid: 138330 topic_id: 24789 reply_id: 100872[/import]
Hmm I’m looking at angry birds.
US http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/angry-birds/id343200656?mt=8
France http://itunes.apple.com/fr/app/angry-birds/id343200656?mt=8
Brazil http://itunes.apple.com/br/app/angry-birds/id343200656?mt=8
Japan http://itunes.apple.com/jp/app/angry-birds/id343200656?mt=8
South Korea http://itunes.apple.com/kr/app/angry-birds/id343200656?mt=8
Germany http://itunes.apple.com/de/app/angry-birds/id343200656?mt=8
China http://itunes.apple.com/cn/app/angry-birds/id343200656?mt=8
Italy http://itunes.apple.com/it/app/angry-birds/id343200656?mt=8
Looks like in almost all cases they kept the name of the Angry Birds in English. And they didn’t do a French and Brazilian Portugues translation. That’s odd! [import]uid: 27183 topic_id: 24789 reply_id: 100874[/import]
Yeah that would work. Angry birds is the brand name. You don’t change Adidas or Nike. Or apple for that matter. Une pomme pro. Hmmm [import]uid: 100901 topic_id: 24789 reply_id: 100879[/import]