Translation rules
There are different types of entries and each needs a different type of translation. I would like to offer some rules. Please obey the rules. If you do not know, then DO NOT translate!
Ask first
!- First rule
- If there is a translation, do not change it just because you think something else matches better. Change it if it has typos, or it is wrong (wrong text, since image has changed, or just three words for a building). I am, for instance, tired of renaming factories to their default meaning, and shortening strings (like timeline info) which were extended without checking if they fit on the default screen size.
Also, Simutrans has many fans due to the funny stories found with many buildings, and just remember: because it is funny in German or English, it is not automatically funny in italian. Just use you own inspiration.
- Second Rule
- Translation style of different objects is different. Please, use the styles given here. If you see an entry in the wrong style, correct it! There are seven types of entries.
Messages
Should be single line and a little fun would not hurt much for AI messages, but remember, you will see these texts quite often!
Error messages
Should be as descriptive as possible. For that, you need to know how they can produced ingame by testing and reading the manuals.
- bad
- No through station here!
- good
- A through station can only built on a straight way segment or on a dead end.
Tools and Objects (signals, stations, factories, vehicles, ... )
Should be described as short and precise as possible in a single line.
Attraction buildings (type=cur)
Has a first line with a short Name, then a blank line, then some funny or interesting text. You do not need to break lines here (but for paragraphs.) Must be xxx\n\ntext body.
Graveyard\n\nWhen the movie "Comfortable coffin" appeared in the cinemas, thousands of people were here during night time. Otherwise, you will be alone; the only living soul here after midnight.
Other buildings (type COM, RES, IND), trees, groundobjs
Should be some sentences with some funny or interesting story. You do not need to break lines here (but for paragraphs.) Please refrain from three word translations, use your imagination.
- bad
- Soap factory
- good
- The old soap works looks today as neat as on the day it was erected. A true miracle!
factory_xxx_details
Details concerning the factory. Should give useful background information (but not pasting from copyright sources, please). Can be long, but you should keep it's function in the game in mind. There is a 4095 character limit.
special strings (1suburb, &0_CITY_SILL, LOCO_INFO)
These are usually strings which have a specific function. The first one for instance generates stop names in suburbs of towns, the second one will give one half of a name if citylist is not being used, and the last one is the info given on engines in depots. Usually the english will give you a hint for what a translation may look like. Of course, town and stop names should to conform to the national conventions.
Top