A Welsh translation of the Systems Reference Document (SRD) for Dungeons & Dragons.
This uses markdown files from D&D 5E SRD REmastered by Old Man Umby.
Running the autoTranslation.py copies the markdown files from this source, does some simple automatic translation, and copies the files to the DND_SRD_CYM folder. The automatic translation depends on files in the "translationTables" folder. These are in json format and are used in some simple automatic translation scripts.
The aim is to translate documents paragraph by paragraph, putting the original English into a markdown quote block. Running the makeWebsite.py program converts the quote blocks to hidden elements in html files, written to the web/public folder.
Running createLists.py makes some automatic lists including:
- List of spells
- List of monsters
- List of items
See the relevant folders for the lists as md files.
Anyone can contribute, details to follow. If you know Github, get stuck in!
This translation of D&D concepts follows several principles:
Someone who is familiar with D&D should be able to recognise the concepts easily. Some strategies to facilitate this include:
- Translating the concept instead of the words, e.g. "Cloudkill" -> "Cwmwl Gwenwyn".
- Investigating the etymology of the word as a guide, e.g. "Bugbear" has its origins in Middle English "bugge" meaning "something frightening", perhaps similar to Welsh "bwgan" so may translate as "Brawarth" or "Bwgarth".
- Use of cognates, e.g. "Commune" -> "Ymgomino" rather than "Chweddleuo"; "Darkmantle" -> "Mantell Ddu" rather than "Clogyn Ddu".
- Borrowing and phonetic translation, particularly for concepts borrowed from non-English languages and cultures.
- For acronyms, trying to find a translation that uses the same acronym. e.g. "HP" -> "Heini Presennol", "AC" -> "Anhawster Curo", "DC" -> "Dosbarth Caledrwydd".
Celtic culture has a deep and unique folklore, much of which has inspired concepts in D&D. Translations should draw on this e.g. A "flying snake" has a specific word in Welsh, "Gwiber". Or, for "Eldritch Blast", "Eldritch" apparently comes from a meaning like "Elf Realm". In Celtic folklore, Annwn is the realm of otherworldy beings, so -> "Blast Annwn".
The Welsh language has a range of dialects and registers. These should be used as resources to add flavour and contrast. For example, there are multiple words for Elf, including "Elff" and "Ellyll". So "Elf" -> "Elff" and "Drow" -> "Ellyll".
Historically, some of D&D's concepts reflect essentialism (e.g. NASAGA blog, Premont & Heine, 2021). Replicating these concepts in translation should be avoided where possible. The official rules have moved from describing "races" to describing "species", and some argue that names like "half-elf" have supremacy overtones. This translation takes an aspirational approach.
This includes making class and monster descriptions gender neutral where appropriate. This is more of a challenge in Welsh, which has masculine morphemes in standard usage for classes/creature names. Avoid -wr and -wraig, and use -ydd or -yn.
Translations should be chosen that assist playing D&D interactively in real time. This means avoiding archaic words (unless that effect is useful), and avoiding using compound morphemes. The Cymraeg Clir Guidelines are a good guide.
Prioritise manual translation of spell list, PC stat parts (class, race, characterisations, gameplay) over DM parts (monster abilities, treasure).
- Download the Markdown version of the SRD.
- Download Wizard's official SRD v5.1 in PDF format
- Download Wizard's official Errata and Basic Rules.
- Download Wizard's official Characters Sheets.