Comments on: New poll: do you think it’s worth it to translate Geek Hero to other languages? http://www.geekherocomic.com/2008/12/01/new-poll-do-you-think-its-worth-it-to-translate-geek-hero-to-other-languages/ The geeky adventures of Randie Tue, 09 Feb 2010 12:36:17 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Tamas http://www.geekherocomic.com/2008/12/01/new-poll-do-you-think-its-worth-it-to-translate-geek-hero-to-other-languages/comment-page-1/#comment-572 Tamas Tue, 16 Dec 2008 10:11:44 +0000 http://www.geekherocomic.com/?p=374#comment-572 I think the comic is great. Translating it might be a good idea, but don't judge your audience by the language setting of their browsers - for example I speak three languages, English is my third language, but my computer is set to en-US. It's simple really, your readers, the geeks use their computers mostly in English, because that's the universal language of programming and gadgets. I think the comic is great. Translating it might be a good idea, but don’t judge your audience by the language setting of their browsers – for example I speak three languages, English is my third language, but my computer is set to en-US. It’s simple really, your readers, the geeks use their computers mostly in English, because that’s the universal language of programming and gadgets.

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By: dollybox http://www.geekherocomic.com/2008/12/01/new-poll-do-you-think-its-worth-it-to-translate-geek-hero-to-other-languages/comment-page-1/#comment-560 dollybox Sat, 13 Dec 2008 09:36:35 +0000 http://www.geekherocomic.com/?p=374#comment-560 I would love to see geekhero in german, even if my english is quite good enough. If you still need some one for translation I just send me an email, if you like ;). PS: Geekhero rocks I would love to see geekhero in german, even if my english is quite good enough.

If you still need some one for translation I just send me an email, if you like ;).

PS: Geekhero rocks

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By: falk http://www.geekherocomic.com/2008/12/01/new-poll-do-you-think-its-worth-it-to-translate-geek-hero-to-other-languages/comment-page-1/#comment-554 falk Thu, 11 Dec 2008 15:40:41 +0000 http://www.geekherocomic.com/?p=374#comment-554 Given the audience, the most reasonable languages for translation would probably be Klingon and Quenya, although the latter might not work well given the subject matter... Given the audience, the most reasonable languages for translation would probably be Klingon and Quenya, although the latter might not work well given the subject matter…

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By: Mariusk http://www.geekherocomic.com/2008/12/01/new-poll-do-you-think-its-worth-it-to-translate-geek-hero-to-other-languages/comment-page-1/#comment-543 Mariusk Wed, 10 Dec 2008 14:27:09 +0000 http://www.geekherocomic.com/?p=374#comment-543 Somehow, the idea of translation doesn't seem too obnoxious anymore considering your cartoon style. I like the idea of syndication, you have an unique and simple style, small strips, not too bizarre humour, and still very funny when one knows what you're talking about. Perfect for a geeky magazine, in other words. I'm still not sure if offering translated strips on your front page would be a good idea, but some kind of "translation vault" might have worked for the occasional curious reader (and, of course, magazine editor). If the potensial regular reader is to become an actual regular -- he must see no other alternative than reading your English comic. If he finds too many strips in his native language, he will expect to find more of them and might end up bookmarking the translated page, thus missing the "main" comic. But if he finds just a few, or read it in a magazine, and still remains curious, you'll have a winner. You will have to make the decision. I propose a translation contest; you'll get a few strips in foreign languages, and you could use these to promote your comic internationally. Then, if [a tech magazine] is interested, you could ask the original translator(s) if they are interested in making a deal with you (or throw similar contests on a regular basis). Regarding getting syndicated, you could use this "translation vault" (FAQ: Is GHW available in my language?) in combination with a link on your site mentioning that you're interested in getting printed. I just discovered your comic through a (Norwegian nonetheless) friend just about two weeks ago, so waiting for editors might take a while.. Doesn't hurt to be ready though, and if you're lucky -- offering a contest might spread GHW in local geek communities :) Somehow, the idea of translation doesn’t seem too obnoxious anymore considering your cartoon style. I like the idea of syndication, you have an unique and simple style, small strips, not too bizarre humour, and still very funny when one knows what you’re talking about.

Perfect for a geeky magazine, in other words. I’m still not sure if offering translated strips on your front page would be a good idea, but some kind of “translation vault” might have worked for the occasional curious reader (and, of course, magazine editor).

If the potensial regular reader is to become an actual regular — he must see no other alternative than reading your English comic. If he finds too many strips in his native language, he will expect to find more of them and might end up bookmarking the translated page, thus missing the “main” comic. But if he finds just a few, or read it in a magazine, and still remains curious, you’ll have a winner.

You will have to make the decision. I propose a translation contest; you’ll get a few strips in foreign languages, and you could use these to promote your comic internationally. Then, if [a tech magazine] is interested, you could ask the original translator(s) if they are interested in making a deal with you (or throw similar contests on a regular basis).

Regarding getting syndicated, you could use this “translation vault” (FAQ: Is GHW available in my language?) in combination with a link on your site mentioning that you’re interested in getting printed. I just discovered your comic through a (Norwegian nonetheless) friend just about two weeks ago, so waiting for editors might take a while.. Doesn’t hurt to be ready though, and if you’re lucky — offering a contest might spread GHW in local geek communities :)

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By: Salvatore Iovene http://www.geekherocomic.com/2008/12/01/new-poll-do-you-think-its-worth-it-to-translate-geek-hero-to-other-languages/comment-page-1/#comment-540 Salvatore Iovene Wed, 10 Dec 2008 05:28:13 +0000 http://www.geekherocomic.com/?p=374#comment-540 Mariusk, thanks for the very insightful comment. It's a very good analysis. You're right in that all the _potential_ regular readers would understand English well anyway, and the actual target for a translation would be occasional readers (which are good as in "better than nothing", because they're nothing valuable like regular readers but could become such -- imagine all the people from StumbleUpon) and tech magazine from foreign countries. I wanted to start seriously considering trying to get syndicated, there are two ways: a) contact potential magazines, and send them a (localized) demo of my best strips b) just wait for the magic to happen, i.e. an editor for a magazine likes my comic and contacts me. But that would be way more likely if the strips were _already_ translated into his or her language. Does your opinion stand, in light of my answer? Mariusk, thanks for the very insightful comment. It’s a very good analysis. You’re right in that all the _potential_ regular readers would understand English well anyway, and the actual target for a translation would be occasional readers (which are good as in “better than nothing”, because they’re nothing valuable like regular readers but could become such — imagine all the people from StumbleUpon) and tech magazine from foreign countries.
I wanted to start seriously considering trying to get syndicated, there are two ways:

a) contact potential magazines, and send them a (localized) demo of my best strips

b) just wait for the magic to happen, i.e. an editor for a magazine likes my comic and contacts me. But that would be way more likely if the strips were _already_ translated into his or her language.

Does your opinion stand, in light of my answer?

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By: Mariusk http://www.geekherocomic.com/2008/12/01/new-poll-do-you-think-its-worth-it-to-translate-geek-hero-to-other-languages/comment-page-1/#comment-539 Mariusk Wed, 10 Dec 2008 04:52:28 +0000 http://www.geekherocomic.com/?p=374#comment-539 I may be a little late, but; The biggest problem would be: how the hell would you know if the translation were just as good in another language? You would have to hire people, or at least find someone who shares your humourous style and wit, since puns and jokes often is correlated with social aspects of a language -- thus making a direct translation impossible. That said, it isn't entirely undoable. Anyone non-english who have read "The Far Side" by Gary Larson in their native language should know that. I don't think it is necessary for your website though, as the regular geek, whatever country, speaks (and, of course, reads) english quite well. But for a strip every now and then in, say, a foreign geek magazine - it certainly sounds like a good idea. I think you should find some strips that can be published standalone and arrange a translation contest on them. If, afterwards, the "natives" are just as pleased with their translation as the original, you could at least think of building an archive of translated strips in case some foreign tech publication should show interest. But for your regular strips? No way. I just wouldn't trust anyone to match the original, and since I (and presumably most, if not all, tech-savvy norwegians) have no trouble understanding your language - it just wouldn't be worthwhile. My two NOK. I may be a little late, but;

The biggest problem would be: how the hell would you know if the translation were just as good in another language? You would have to hire people, or at least find someone who shares your humourous style and wit, since puns and jokes often is correlated with social aspects of a language — thus making a direct translation impossible.

That said, it isn’t entirely undoable. Anyone non-english who have read “The Far Side” by Gary Larson in their native language should know that. I don’t think it is necessary for your website though, as the regular geek, whatever country, speaks (and, of course, reads) english quite well. But for a strip every now and then in, say, a foreign geek magazine – it certainly sounds like a good idea.

I think you should find some strips that can be published standalone and arrange a translation contest on them. If, afterwards, the “natives” are just as pleased with their translation as the original, you could at least think of building an archive of translated strips in case some foreign tech publication should show interest.

But for your regular strips? No way. I just wouldn’t trust anyone to match the original, and since I (and presumably most, if not all, tech-savvy norwegians) have no trouble understanding your language – it just wouldn’t be worthwhile.

My two NOK.

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By: Salvatore Iovene http://www.geekherocomic.com/2008/12/01/new-poll-do-you-think-its-worth-it-to-translate-geek-hero-to-other-languages/comment-page-1/#comment-495 Salvatore Iovene Fri, 05 Dec 2008 13:10:17 +0000 http://www.geekherocomic.com/?p=374#comment-495 @Miles, I'm not a native English speaker, so there will certainly be mistakes and weird constructs. Can you point me at any of those? @Miles, I’m not a native English speaker, so there will certainly be mistakes and weird constructs. Can you point me at any of those?

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By: Miles http://www.geekherocomic.com/2008/12/01/new-poll-do-you-think-its-worth-it-to-translate-geek-hero-to-other-languages/comment-page-1/#comment-494 Miles Fri, 05 Dec 2008 13:08:43 +0000 http://www.geekherocomic.com/?p=374#comment-494 I believe personing being born in the EN-GB region I find this comic extreamly hard to read and thus, I wish to put forward my vote for translation. I believe personing being born in the EN-GB region I find this comic extreamly hard to read and thus, I wish to put forward my vote for translation.

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By: ass-mistress http://www.geekherocomic.com/2008/12/01/new-poll-do-you-think-its-worth-it-to-translate-geek-hero-to-other-languages/comment-page-1/#comment-483 ass-mistress Thu, 04 Dec 2008 12:20:30 +0000 http://www.geekherocomic.com/?p=374#comment-483 Don't translate....:) Don’t translate….:)

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By: Dorin http://www.geekherocomic.com/2008/12/01/new-poll-do-you-think-its-worth-it-to-translate-geek-hero-to-other-languages/comment-page-1/#comment-481 Dorin Wed, 03 Dec 2008 20:04:58 +0000 http://www.geekherocomic.com/?p=374#comment-481 No, please, don't translate. It's better in english, any other languages doesn't have the same geekish humor. Plus maintaining translations... it's not worth it :) No, please, don’t translate. It’s better in english, any other languages doesn’t have the same geekish humor. Plus maintaining translations… it’s not worth it :)

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