How to design a multilingual database?

[mshakeelattari]

How to design a multilingual database in MS Access? My basic database is in English and now I have to show it in Urdu.

[PhilOfWalton]

Before we continue, I understand nothing about Urdu.

This is a portion of a form from a database written in German, and hopefully automatically translated to Urdu, so does it look anything like Urdu?

Obviously, the data is shown in German, but in your case it would be entered in Urdu, so it should be OK

Phil

[mshakeelattari]

Yes, it is Urdu and has good translation except a few (almost 2 here). As you have already mentioned in another thread: OK they're (translations by Google Translate) not perfect, and can be corrected. Will it be auto-translating Combo & List boxes based on a value list, Tables which are defined as lookup tables (for example, Months, Jobs, Types of business etc., Some Combo & List boxes where there is a query based on a lookup table, etc... as you've told there? Also, will the controls once translated or corrected be again translated when opened or this is a one-time process?

[PhilOfWalton]

At the moment, I do not have access to the latest version of DbTranslator, so it may be next week before I can locate the latest version.
In answer to your question the reply is yes to all items + message boxes, input boxes, status bar etc.

DbTranslator is 3 stage process
1) Analyse and build a table of all "Lookup Type" Tables, Labels etc in forms & Reports and MsgBoxes in code.
2) Use Google Translate to add the translation of all those words & sentences to the table. Correct poor translations as required
3) When forms or reports are opened, the translated version of the original label etc is used.

So in other words, if the design of the forms remains unchanged, there is no need for further translation, and the translated form will load in a couple of seconds.
If the wording on a form is changed or Msgboxes are changed then the process will need re-doing. Equally if additional words are added to the "Lookup" tables, some translation will need re-doing.

Phil

[PhilOfWalton]

I have now located the latest version of DbTranslator if you are still interested, together with brief implementation instructions.
No guarantees that it will work.

Phil

[mshakeelattari]

I m glad to hear that you have found that so early. Let's continue.

[PhilOfWalton]

I have attached notes on what DbTranslator will do (and what it won't do).

If you look through them it will be helpful to see if your Db complies with any restrictions.

In particular, I don't touch either Macros orr Embedded Macros, so, particularly if they contain MsgBox or InputBox, they will NOT translate them. I suggest you convert them to VBA which is far more versatile than Macros.

Equally, I never use Datasheets (I prefer Continuous forms) so the translation is inconsistent.

I feel sure if you want to go ahead, problems will arise, and we will need to converse, so do you have Skype?

Phil

[mshakeelattari]

Yes, let us go ahead. Yes I have Skype with the same name as my username here!

[PhilOfWalton]

Have sent you a Private Message.

Phil