Finding (PbtA) RPG Translators
This may not be the most appropriate forum for this question, but based on a recent post by Mike Espinoza and the ensuing discussion, this might be exactly the right forum.
So, imagine you have a PbTA game in a foreign language, and you want to get it translated into another language. How do you find a translator that can do that, and how do you finance it?
For my specifics, I’m looking to get a French game, Librete, translated into English. The designer, Vivien Feasson ran it for a group of us at Gauntletcon and it was amazing. Unfortunately, it’s only in French at this time…
Aside from the dark setting (kids stolen into a world of rain with creepy monsters that form out of rain puddles), the mechanics are statless, with the option to use a currency called “Black Bile” to boost your rolls. You gain this currency when, corresponding to your playbook, something disempowering happens to your character.
Here’s the link to the AP, if anyone is curious.
Open to thoughts — I really want to see this in English. I could pump it through Google Translate, but I think that would give me an entirely different game, you know?
It’s a challenge. You need a English speaking professional who is bilingual and also has the time to devote to such a project. I’m not aware of any standard approach on finances either, though a translated text can be used for a successful kickstarter.
I actually speak French Christo Meid. =) My girlfriend too. How big is the project? If you want only the Playbooks and Moves that can be more reachable.
Thanks for the call! I imagine the best way to do this would be to find an English-speaking publisher to launch a kickstarter in order to pay for a translation.
Another solution might be to translate it myself (at least the demo kit for a start) and find someone to proofread it (it would have to be someone with time and writing sensibilities, who could compensate for the loss of style). Problem is, I need much time to do that.
Yeah, when I’ve been approached by translators wanting to convert my games over to French/German/Portuguese/etc the arrangement proposed has been pretty standard: they fund the translation effort and publishing of translated book themselves, paying me a royalty per book sold counted against an initial lump sum royalty garuntee. So it’s a lot like funding any other RPG effort – the publisher needs to pay writers, layout, art (unless you agree to use original art), and printing costs, with the original author only involved as much as the particular contract sets out and not generally taking on any financial risk.
rev.com – Translation Type
You’d have to go through and smooth any rough edges but these guys are pretty manageable.
📌
1. Is this for your personal use, or do you want to publish an English edition? If the game is not your personal IP, you need to get with the author and see what they want to do. Hella DON’T pursue translating a game that’s not yours without express permission.
2. If you do have the author’s permission to pursue translation on their behalf, MAKE A CONTRACT and specify timelines, expectations, and how any profits are split up.
3. Once you have a contract, VET YOUR TRANSLATORS! How’s their other work? Was it done in a reasonable time-frame? Was it a good and faithful translation? You need to check this – you need more than just the translators enthusiasm for the game, and you need a CONTRACT between all parties, including timelines, who pays for what, and how the profits are split up. Be damn sure you get approval of the final product before it goes to press.
4. If you own the IP, you should write the contract, even if they approach you and ask to translate your game. Look out for your interests, and recognize that you did the design work. That’s not to say that translating is effortless and easy, because it’s not, but avoid getting overwhelmed by the excitement of having your work translated.
5. Take your time. If your translator is in a rush, your product will be rushed. That’s your work and your name; make sure you are happy with your name on the final product.
6. Have a backup plan and a back-out plan, for if it gets to be too much or you are not happy with how things are going.
Thanks for the advice! No problem for the translation rights since I’m the author and I own them, but yes, I’ve already experienced what poorly written contracts can do to a project (or at least to my own sanity).
Meguey Baker Good points. There is no way I would try to get a game translated even for personal use without the permission of the designer, which is also why I tagged him. I want him to make more games, not get disheartened and abandon design because people are abusing his property.