A Question of Other Languages In Your Story

[BronxWench]

Have you ever tried translating something into a language you know, just to see what Google will do to it? It’s hilarious!

But to be serious ever so briefly, certain languages use syntax that Google and most other AI linguistics programs can’t readily mimic. Japanese, for example, rarely uses pronouns, or even subjects. It’s implied in the context of the rest of the sentence. Google mangles those translations horribly. Same thing with French, when some adjective precede the noun being modified, and others come after the noun. Google tends to substitute an entirely wrong noun and/or adjective because it’s not ready for post-noun adjectives.

AI linguistics has a long way to go yet, but for translating a simple phrase in Latin into English, it’s good enough. 

Edited July 10, 2018 by BronxWench

[Sinfulwolf]

2 hours ago, CloverReef said:

As long as it's clear the story is in English, so readers don't get scared off, I think chapter titles are the one place you can go absolutely crazy without detracting from the story. Esperanto, klingon, complete gibberish. Might make the writer pause and wtf about it but it won't rip them out of scenes or mess with the pacing. Might even pique curiosity and make some party more attention for hidden meanings. 

Oh, the story itself is in English, as is the story’s title itself, and the summary. It’s only the chapter titles. 

[Desiderius Price]

3 hours ago, BronxWench said:

As a proponent of a well-rounded classical education, I say make ‘em work for it! I mean, Google Translame, folks!

There’s nuances when translating, and while Google can get close enough to make sense, it’s way better if the author’s fluent in both languages to simply provide both, since they know their intent better than anybody else (or at least, should know it better).