Animation by Mohamed Kerroudj
Theory
Steemit is growing rapidly and with more and more cultures, people, countries, and languages coming on board every day the platform will need to evolve, and quickly. As of right now, no matter what language you speak, we all use the same platform and to me this isn't the problem. The real problem is just simply the language barrier. If we implemented Auto Language Detection and translation into the platform we could continue as we are with a lot less gaps between different language content. The cn and ru topics would no longer be needed with all content being accessible by all users. Comments could be made without worrying about how it would be interpreted or ignored and communication would increase.
I personally have been dealing with multiple languages problems here on Steemit lately. Don't get me wrong I think it's awesome! I just wish it wasn't such an obstacle and that communion could be expanding beyond "good post!" and "我顶，好文章" which I attempted to translate and got "I top, great article". If we could actually have a full conversation, it would, well... Kick ass! I don't really have the ability to build such a great feature yet, but maybe collectively we can?! For starters, getting it to work sooner rather then later we do have a few options...
Google Translate being the largest and most powerful auto detection and translation solution in there world, I would suggest we would try and implement the Google Translate API into steemit. lately I'll be honest I've been a little burnt out: coding, scripting, developing, designing, posting, researching, doing math! lol... and have not thoroughly looked at the API but it looks promising. I do however love designing and thought I'd give a simplistic UI design a go.
UI Design (user Interface)
Top right bar navigation with addition of the Translate button
(defaulting to persons location main language)
When user hovers over the button it opens up with a quick little elastic animation
(an arrow appears indicating you can click this area to change the langue preference)
When the users clicks while hovered over the button
(a menu appears with a list of the most commonly selected languages - with an option to expand the full list)
Example of what the top right bar navigation will look like after sleeting Chinese
(This would auto translate the all the main feed pages & translate the actual posts)
Post Comments Section
English speaking users perspective while viewing the comments section
When the English speaking user hovers over the translation indicator icon
(To change comment back to original language content the user would click)
The same comments from a Chinese speaking users perspective
Again when the user hovers the english version of the comment appears
Your Thoughts, Comments, & Theories
- So what do you think of the UI design?
- Whats your theory on bridging the gap between languages here on Steemit?
- Where do you see Steemit going on a world wide perspective?
Your Boy Blue
This is really great idea. Maybe could use google translation service. Facebook and other sites also have this function.
Damn Blue, that's some fine UI work. I'd been considering doing a work around so I can engage with Steemians who speak other languages. I'm excited by the idea of no censorship communication between humans in different "countries," and let's face it, Steemit is meant to be global.
I think your design is simple and elegant, but I'm curious if it'd be possible to set a default language for the user so everything is automagically translated into that language while still keeping the indicator you designed so you know what language it was translated from... It's probably a big ask, but what the heck :)
I think bridging the gap between languages is what's going to make Steemit legion. If you're here, the chances are that you understand at least the idea that this platform cannot be censored. A big next step will be uniting the community, regardless of language, and this simple Ui gets us there.
Things like this make me feel like we're rebuilding the tower of babel here, to reach the crypto-gods
Thanks! I defiantly wanted to go with a simple approach and not clutter it with over design. I had come up with a bunch of different solutions but I think this one was the most solid.
This would be adding another level of difficulty to it but it wouldn't be impossible. But thing about me is I never say anything is impossible, but that's me.
Steemit will become a legion and you're right language will be one of the defining factors. Being able to blog about anything and have it read around the world in any language... amazing!
That's so exciting. Once we get that we're going to have to innovate some sort of instant subtitling program so video blogs can also be shared world-wide.
very cool idea! Will look into this, They do have CC so of course its possible
the toggle switch should be reversed though
Oh yes interesting, so you see the native language first and hover over it to see the translation. Yes I do like this idea, maybe have it as a preference, alongside what languages not to auto translate.
@blueorgy sorry I couldn't respond on thread. Got too long I guess but wanted to share this. I was talking about user content being translated by users, but attaching to original, so content creation is kept with % being doled out. Especially if it is content starting to trend. Look at all the people in this post offering up to do it.
https://steemit.com/writing/@kencode/do-you-know-a-foreign-language-crowdvoting
It's another way to earn sweat equity. It also makes them want to do quality work. Their topic has to trend under the translated version to get a piece, and crap work gets called out fast in comments. steemit is about getting rewarded for your voice, this is a great tool for making sure you are heard.
That is tight....I definitely would love to utilize this feature.
THIS will be what takes Steemit not just worldwide but to outer space!
Amazing job! You should consider include the same for the entire article! Very good man, if you need any help would be a pleasure! I am working in something related to this problem of the language. I think we may combine something.
I like it. It is a good idea!
Does this work only for comments? What about articles? Thanks @blueorgy
It would of course work in theory for everything, however articles would defiantly be harder and more complex to accomplish. All in due time.
A great idea. It will be a huge success! Thx.
That's good idee
I love the idea, sometimes is too hard for non native english speaker to write or share something and be properly understood.
Agree, it what happens is that the non native english speaker has to dumb Down his/hers response, which just sucks!
I think better like hints...
Could be very useful @blueorgy
This is great! I have talked about the problem a few times, but you presented it with a solid solution. Hope this gets the attention it deserves!
i love this post ... i think its very necesary that tool in steemit
I like your idea. The translation will be a good thing.
This would be great. I'm currently using Google translate for Chrome. Being able to set your language such that all posts appear to be written in that language would be useful.
I think this is an amazing idea that I would like to see integrated in the steemit website. This would allow us to be able to read those "CN" tags. :D
Looks simple enough and easy to use. For short comments it's great, but not for long stories. Google translate is horrible and it's the best.
Yes its a very good point it's why starting with comments would be the fist move.
One thought I had had in a very low quality post lol, was that multi-lingual users could translate the post, and therefore bypass the flaws with translation services and keep the "spirit" of the post closely. Is there a way that could be implemented?
I was wondering about users translating other users posts. I actually had my Catch A Whale Post copied and translated by @djmedina HERE And I wasn't sure how I felt about it.
if the post started to trend again and he ending up getting all the rewards when all he did was translate.. it would have to be thought about.
My thought was more a backend translation that accomplished the same thing as what I have seen done (with or without consent) but offered it with what you have done. If I translated this into a CN post, it would then become attached to this article (you get rewards) and upvotes received. The translator would receive a small % or a fixed amount (assuming translated post surpassed that amount). Seems would use the same dropdown feature and keep it from being a second post.
@clevercross defiantly interesting ideas and sounds like it could work. The % of cut to the translator would be based on word count and how well they translate, maybe the reputation ;) because I do know that translating can be a bitch sometimes!
great idea, But the Chinese language is not just about the use of Putonghua，Hard to translate exactly
This is greate idea!
@dan / @dantheman is this being considered to be added to Steemit?
It is a very good idea!