Translating Black Mesa

Black Mesa Archive The Cafeteria
#1

If you would like to see Black Mesa in your language, you’re in luck! I created some forums some time ago with the objective of gathering people who speak similar languages, and who are interested in bringing Black Mesa closer to their fellows. Working with the subtitles is not really complicated, but you do need to have a proper command of both English, and the language you plan on translating into. Some languages have already been included in the first release, and any new ones will most likely be added in later patches.

The following languages have been included with the first release of the mod:

  • Italian
  • Spanish
  • Norwegian
  • German
  • Finnish

The following languages are in the works:

  • Albanian
  • Brazilian Portuguese
  • Chinese
  • Czech
  • Esperanto
  • European Portuguese
  • French
  • Greek
  • Hebrew
  • Hungarian
  • Japanese
  • Korean
  • Russian
  • Polish
  • Bulgarian
  • Romanian
  • Swedish
  • Turkish

The following languages were included with the mod but are being worked on for corrections:

  • Italian
  • Finnish

If you feel like a challenge, step right up! You can join the translation teams, or, if your language is not listed, start your own. There are over 6000 lines of dialogue, so, gather your friends and become heros of the internet! (and who knows, you may be included in the mod credits!)

The subtitles have been released and are being given to team leaders. Bring out your coffee, and get ready to work!

Also, two frequently asked questions:

VOICE DUBBING
Dubbing will not be supported by the developers or distributed officially. People can, of course, try their hand at it, but when it comes to distribution, there will be no help for lipsync or file hosting. Do it at your own risk!

TRANSLATING TEXTURES

Of course, you can try your hand at it if you want, but they will not be included in the mod’s release.

#2

Just a general question. If we are translating to a language for which the alphabet does not contain latin characters (e.g. greek, korean, japanese etc) do we also have to bring/create our own fonts for the translation?

I would be interested to start or participate in a greek translation, but for the next few months I will hardly be able to be active in it.

#3

You need to make sure you save the finished .txt file in UCS-2 Little Endian format, which, if I remember correctly, allows additional alphabets to be included in. It seems to be the case with Bulgarian, at least. It can be done with Notepad++. It will be great to have you on board :slight_smile:

#4

Wait, is there Spanish already?
Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhoooooooooooooooo!!!
When did this happened?

#5

A few days ago. We need to work on the other subtitles now :slight_smile:

#6

Why does the Russian could not immediately translate?

#7

Aw, I can’t help because Norwegian is already done. :frowning: Oh well, good luck to you guys!

#8

Thanks Jerry!

The developers have not given the OK, so the subtitle files cannot be released to anyone yet. You will have to wait a bit - I will notify everybody as soon as they’re available.

#9

Because mod is not released yet, as the script contains spoilers.

#10

Is there any way to access to the Spanish translation?

As a professional Spaniard translator, I’d love to check it out. It just pains me to see bad translations. I’m not prejudging, but some iffy, unnaturally translated lines always slip through a fan sub, however dedicated they are to the project.

#11

You will have to wait and see the finished translation in the mod. Who knows, it may not be as bad as you think. I warn you in advance, though - it is not the Spanish used in Spain. The subtitles were made as neutral as possible.

#12

Thanks for the reply!

Спасибо за ответ!

#13

I don’t think they will be bad, it’s just that errors in translation, however inconsequential, are very noticeable to someone who does this everyday.

But… why have Brazilian Portuguese and European Portuguese but not do the same with the Spanish subs? Anyway, I might mod the neutral Spanish subs if need be, after release. They will probably be just fine, but if not, I’d happily volunteer to spruce them up.

#14

Nobody applied. But sure, you are more than welcome to make changes to them on release :wink:

#15

Oh crap, I wanted to help. It’s almost a certainty that the spanish translation will be fine, I bet that a lot of people showed to help.
Yay, I will not have to wait victory dance

#16

Heh, actually, the Spanish translation was made by one person. Same with Norwegian. Thank you for your support! :wink:

#17

Actually, that Person had also a shitload of other things to care about. I guess this person must be superman/woman for that matter :wink:

#18

Oh, in that case I’m watching, :3
Many people is a thing, one is not. But Half Life is not heavy in dialog so we should be fine anyway.

#19

I want to help translate to Turkish language.

#20

You would be surprised… Even with the main character not talking, it’s still a lot.

Founded in 2004, Leakfree.org became one of the first online communities dedicated to Valve’s Source engine development. It is more famously known for the formation of Black Mesa: Source under the 'Leakfree Modification Team' handle in September 2004.