No translations in foreign guides?

[mharrington]

How come the foreign guide maps of the parks translate almost all of the text therein EXCEPT the names of the rides, shops, dining, etc.? Is it just too much trouble?

Here's a sample of when they used to change some, if not all, of the names of the rides at the Magic Kingdom (or at least had their translations in parentheses) in German, from a map from around 1989 or 1990:

Nowadays, they translate everything except the names of the rides, shops, dining, etc. Why is that?

 

[wm49rs]

The "Disney-MGM Studios" center? How old is this map?

 

[mharrington]

The "Disney-MGM Studios" center? How old is this map?

It's around 1989 or 1990.

 

[FeelsSoGoodToBeBad]

My only guess would be to match the marquees at the locations while keeping the maps easier to read with less clutter from text?

 

[wm49rs]

It's around 1989 or 1990.

You started a thread about a 30+ year-old map?

 

[mharrington]

My only guess would be to match the marquees at the locations while keeping the maps easier to read with less clutter from text?

But not everyone who visits speaks English. Wouldn't they be confused as to how to read the names if they're not translated for their convenience?

 

[wm49rs]

But not everyone who visits speaks English. Wouldn't they be confused as to how to read the names if they're not translated for their convenience?

Some translations may not be easily accomplished in the limited space available on a map either....

 

[FeelsSoGoodToBeBad]

But not everyone who visits speaks English. Wouldn't they be confused as to how to read the names if they're not translated for their convenience?

It is possible, sure. Translations would give a better idea of what the ride/store/etc features or is themed around, but wouldn't help with pronunciation. The only way to address that would be to give a phonetic translation that would work for the language in question. Since some languages don't have the same sounds English does, that may be impossible.

Either way, it is an interesting observation.

 

[mharrington]

It is possible, sure. Translations would give a better idea of what the ride/store/etc features or is themed around, but wouldn't help with pronunciation. The only way to address that would be to give a phonetic translation that would work for the language in question. Since some languages don't have the same sounds English does, that may be impossible.

Either way, it is an interesting observation.

That guide map that I had posted could show translations in parentheses, alongside the original English.

 

[UNCgolf]

You started a thread about a 30+ year-old map?

I think he was saying they used to do it using that map as an example, and that they no longer do.

 

[mharrington]

I think he was saying they used to do it using that map as an example, and that they no longer do.

That is correct, I was just using that as an example. And it's not just German, either, but all languages, or at least all languages featured on maps at the parks.

 

[Sbk1234]

It's around 1989 or 1990.

My first trip to WDW was in 1988, and we visited that MGM Studios Center. As I recall, they just showed a movie featuring Danny DeVito. Fun, though, and we got excited for it. Nice memories.

 

[JIMINYCR]

When they get to the attraction, the sign they come upon telling them where they are at is in English which matches that spot on the map. No need to have any other translation if the description about what the attraction is all about is in their language.

 

[lazyboy97o]

There has been a general shift away from translating proper nouns and towards using something closer to the original name in the native language. English has also continued to grow as a second and third language around the world, being in the unique position that more people speak it as a second or third language than a first language. The Latin alphabet has also spread such that even places with unique alphabets have a form that uses the Latin alphabet.

As others have said though, the marquees only have one name and that name matching all maps is much more useful than a translation. While a person may not know the proper pronunciation that doesn’t really matter when they’re looking to visually match characters.

 

[JIMINYCR]

Waiting for a follow up post blaming Bob C for yet another Disney fail regarding map printing. Surely hes to blame for making it harder for foreign guests to enjoy Dis.

 

[DisneyJoe]

Is this just on printed maps, or is the My Disney Experience app the same way?

 

[MaryJaneP]

Wouldn't it be great if there was some handheld way to access a translation service that could provide some additional explanation, if desired?

 

[Goofyernmost]

That is pretty simple those are proper names. Suppose your name was listed in a French book and they changed it to whatever the same thing was in French. Not even sure that is always possible. That can't be done because it is your name and the names of the attractions and restaurants are proper names as well and must be listed as so because that is their name. If that were the case the Restaurant in the Canadian Pavilion would have to be The Cellar instead of Le Cellier! The Cellar is not it's trade marked name. For example, Space Mountain is understood and identified as a name not a general conversation word. Spoken or written the following would go like this in English, "I am going to ride Space Mountain now". In French it would be this "Je vais monter Space Mountain maintenant".

 

[mharrington]

Is this just on printed maps, or is the My Disney Experience app the same way?

I have no idea about the My Disney Experience app, but I wouldn't be surprised if it was the same way as the physical maps.

 

[MaryJaneP]

Ludicrous ("speed", as in "Prepare the ship for")! Maybe to money spent on additional language maps should go to help pay bonuses to executives.

As previously stated, proper names are frequently not translated. Also, perhaps it is to prevent guests from querying CM's in the guest's own language such as "Donde esta es un mundo pequeno". Additionally, maybe the maps should be used to locate what the non-english-speaking guest has already researched or knows about rather that expecting the map to provide location AND description/translation information in a foldout piece of paper. Do you want a Paris map to say "Our Lady" or does "Notre Dame" work for you? There are plenty of online translation services.