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...

delphidb96 · 08-05-2010, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tomsem

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...

Or...

4. The ebook first starts with a 'which language do you want' screen. When the user selects the language (similar to a DVD movie), that language version is displayed. That way you could choose to have twenty or thirty language versions in each ebook...

Derek

Jellby · 08-06-2010, 04:38 AM

I chose (3) when I created the multilingual version of Dante's Divine Comedy.

FlorenceArt · 08-06-2010, 04:52 AM

I downloaded a French translation of Seneca once, and found out that it has the Latin text after the French translation. So it was option 3. I don't see how any other option could be viable if you want your ebook to be readable on any device and screen size.

One possibility to improve navigation would be to add links between each version of a chapter, or section, or whatever is practical. For instance, at the beginning and end of chapter 1 in language A, you could put a link to the same chapter in language B, and vice versa. More work or course, so I don't know if it's worth it...

Maggie Leung · 08-06-2010, 05:30 AM

Not sure whether this is technically practical, but it might be cool to have some kind of toggle that shows you paragraph next to paragraph in both languages, for instances when you might want to check one against the other. Then you'd toggle off, and go back to the story in the language of your choice. This might help substitute for the flipping that's possible with print books, but which is cumbersome with e-books.

Even with such a feature, I would want the book also available in your No. 3 option.

I own books published that way -- Chinese in one half; English in the other.

FlorenceArt · 08-06-2010, 05:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tomsem

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...

Oops, I missed that part, so you are already planning to link the two versions together, good.

I don't think removing the "decoration" is a good idea. The reader needs to know what is linked and what is not. The first word in a paragraph could be an idea, yes, but I think a dedicated link with the language name or abbreviation would be clearer. And I still think links at the beginning AND end of a chapter might be a good idea.

Jellby · 08-06-2010, 06:00 AM

If there are more than 2 languages, you need some dedicated links, and cannot rely only on the text.

murraypaul · 08-06-2010, 06:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tomsem

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).

If these are dual language for language study, like Loeb or I Tatti books, then I would think it is important for both texts to be visible at once. To have to keep switching back and forth would not be ideal.
Ignoring technical issues, I would prefer 2 (this is closest to how the pBooks are published, on facing pages), then 1 (with numbered paragraphs). I'm not sure I'd bother reading 3, at than point a double-page image scan of the original would be prefered.
For a single known target device, I'd produce two-page landscape PDFs with languages on facing pages, laid out so that each page has the same content. Obvious downsides are that this fixes font and font size, ties you to a given screen size, and will not work well on smaller devices.
The ideal presentation for me would be via an iPad app designed to do this, where you feed it pairs of matching paragraphs and it ensures that they are on screen at the same time, while allowing the user to customise the display.

WillAdams · 08-06-2010, 08:10 AM

It's unfortunate that ePub doesn't have a built-in concept like to the Corbis CD-ROM _Leonardo_ and its nifty ``Codescope'' viewer:

http://www.xconomy.com/2008/05/09/an...-vinci-cd-rom/

William

jjpkelly · 12-03-2011, 04:47 PM

I wrote a book last year which contains the same 8-page text in 11 languages. Each language is a separate chapter of the book, so the reader simply uses the Table of Contents to find the translation they want. So Option 3 works best in this situation.

Now comes a new problem: Kindle and Nook have only a limited number of languages which they can accept. If you plan to publish with either one, search their FAQ for the word "language" to see if they will accept both languages you intend to use. As for my book, I need to find some other eBook distributor, perhaps a PDF publisher.

Andrew H. · 12-03-2011, 07:02 PM

I think the *best* way to do it is to have the translation as a facing page or facing column. This is what paper books do, and it has the advantage of not getting in the way if you are cruising through the target language, but it's easy to slide directly over to the appropriate sentence in the translation if you get stuck. I know that there are practical difficulties doing this on an e-ink reader, but I think it is by far the best system for language learners.

08-05-2010, 06:44 PM	#1
tomsem Grand Sorcerer Posts: 6,464 Karma: 25996225 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...

08-06-2010, 08:10 AM	#9
WillAdams Wizard Posts: 1,234 Karma: 3350652 Join Date: Feb 2008 Device: Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (300ppi), Samsung Galaxy Book 12	It's unfortunate that ePub doesn't have a built-in concept like to the Corbis CD-ROM _Leonardo_ and its nifty ``Codescope'' viewer: http://www.xconomy.com/2008/05/09/an...-vinci-cd-rom/ William Last edited by WillAdams; 08-06-2010 at 08:11 AM. Reason: spelling

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
How Does it Affect You When eBooks Aren't Published in Your First Language?	schroedercl2	General Discussions	20	04-04-2010 09:29 AM
Hi there and question about multiple language ebooks	rebl	Introduce Yourself	10	03-30-2010 02:45 PM
Ebooks language	parasit	Feedback	12	06-11-2009 01:00 PM
Formatting Dual Language Books	musemj6	Amazon Kindle	1	08-09-2008 12:10 AM

08-06-2010, 04:38 AM	#3
Jellby frumious Bandersnatch Posts: 7,515 Karma: 18512745 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Spaniard in Sweden Device: Cybook Orizon, Kobo Aura	I chose (3) when I created the multilingual version of Dante's Divine Comedy.

08-06-2010, 04:52 AM	#4
FlorenceArt High Priestess Posts: 5,761 Karma: 5042529 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Montreuil sous bois, France Device: iPad Pro 9.7, iPhone 6 Plus	I downloaded a French translation of Seneca once, and found out that it has the Latin text after the French translation. So it was option 3. I don't see how any other option could be viable if you want your ebook to be readable on any device and screen size. One possibility to improve navigation would be to add links between each version of a chapter, or section, or whatever is practical. For instance, at the beginning and end of chapter 1 in language A, you could put a link to the same chapter in language B, and vice versa. More work or course, so I don't know if it's worth it...

08-06-2010, 05:30 AM	#5
Maggie Leung Wizard Posts: 1,449 Karma: 58383 Join Date: Jul 2009 Device: Kindle, iPad	Not sure whether this is technically practical, but it might be cool to have some kind of toggle that shows you paragraph next to paragraph in both languages, for instances when you might want to check one against the other. Then you'd toggle off, and go back to the story in the language of your choice. This might help substitute for the flipping that's possible with print books, but which is cumbersome with e-books. Even with such a feature, I would want the book also available in your No. 3 option. I own books published that way -- Chinese in one half; English in the other.

08-06-2010, 06:00 AM	#7
Jellby frumious Bandersnatch Posts: 7,515 Karma: 18512745 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Spaniard in Sweden Device: Cybook Orizon, Kobo Aura	If there are more than 2 languages, you need some dedicated links, and cannot rely only on the text.

12-03-2011, 04:47 PM	#10
jjpkelly Junior Member Posts: 1 Karma: 10 Join Date: Sep 2011 Device: kindle	I wrote a book last year which contains the same 8-page text in 11 languages. Each language is a separate chapter of the book, so the reader simply uses the Table of Contents to find the translation they want. So Option 3 works best in this situation. Now comes a new problem: Kindle and Nook have only a limited number of languages which they can accept. If you plan to publish with either one, search their FAQ for the word "language" to see if they will accept both languages you intend to use. As for my book, I need to find some other eBook distributor, perhaps a PDF publisher.

12-03-2011, 07:02 PM	#11
Andrew H. Grand Master of Flowers Posts: 2,201 Karma: 8389072 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Naptown Device: Kindle PW, Kindle 3 (aka Keyboard), iPhone, iPad 3 (not for reading)	I think the best way to do it is to have the translation as a facing page or facing column. This is what paper books do, and it has the advantage of not getting in the way if you are cruising through the target language, but it's easy to slide directly over to the appropriate sentence in the translation if you get stuck. I know that there are practical difficulties doing this on an e-ink reader, but I think it is by far the best system for language learners.

Advert

Advert