MobileRead Forums - View Single Post - Dual-language eBooks

tomsem · 08-05-2010, 06:44 PM

I want to create some dual-language ebooks, and am trying to come up with the 'best' approach. I can think of several:

Interlinear. A paragraph of language A, followed by the translation in language B
Two columns (probably implemented as a table). Left column in language A, right column in language B (on a small screen, this might favor landscape display and preclude use of larger text sizes)
Two parts. First part contains the entire text in language A, second part in Language B. Links with each paragraph to take you to the corresponding translation (or back).

I'm inclined to go with (3.) since it would be more immersive, possibly easier to format with a script, and more portable to different devices/screen sizes than (2.). Especially if I discover how to remove decorations from hyperlinks - the whole paragraph (or perhaps the first word in each) could be hyperlinked to its translation without any visual disturbance.

But thought I'd check to see if anyone else has been down this road...

08-05-2010, 06:44 PM	#1
tomsem Grand Sorcerer Posts: 6,944 Karma: 27060153 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: USA Device: iPhone 15PM, Kindle Scribe, iPad mini 6, PocketBook InkPad Color 3	Dual-language eBooks I want to create some dual-language ebooks, and am trying to come up with the 'best' approach. I can think of several: Interlinear. A paragraph of language A, followed by the translation in language B Two columns (probably implemented as a table). Left column in language A, right column in language B (on a small screen, this might favor landscape display and preclude use of larger text sizes) Two parts. First part contains the entire text in language A, second part in Language B. Links with each paragraph to take you to the corresponding translation (or back). I'm inclined to go with (3.) since it would be more immersive, possibly easier to format with a script, and more portable to different devices/screen sizes than (2.). Especially if I discover how to remove decorations from hyperlinks - the whole paragraph (or perhaps the first word in each) could be hyperlinked to its translation without any visual disturbance. But thought I'd check to see if anyone else has been down this road...