Storyfall

Languages & Translations

Set your story’s language, add translations, and let readers play in their preferred language.

Setting Your Story’s Language

Every story has a primary language. This is set when you create the story and can be changed later.

During Story Creation

When creating a new story, the Language field appears after Genre. It defaults to English. Use the searchable dropdown to find your language by typing its English or native name (e.g., type “Espa” to find “Spanish (Espanol)”).

Changing the Language

To change your story’s language after creation:

  1. Open your story in the Workshop.
  2. Go to Story Settings.
  3. Use the Language selector to choose a new language.

Admins can also change a story’s language from the story detail page using the Admin Controls section.

Adding Translations

Translate your story into other languages so readers worldwide can enjoy it. Translations are managed from the Workshop editor sidebar.

Opening the Translations Panel

  1. Open your story in the Workshop editor.
  2. Click the Translations tab (globe icon) in the sidebar.
  3. The panel shows your primary language and any existing translations.

Adding a Target Language

  1. In the Translations panel, click “Add Language”.
  2. Search for and select the language you want to translate into.
  3. The language appears in the list with 0% progress.

Translating Scenes Manually

  1. Click “Edit” next to the language you want to translate.
  2. The panel switches to the scene translation view.
  3. The top section shows the original scene content (read-only).
  4. The bottom section has an editor where you type your translation.
  5. Click “Save Translation” when done.
  6. Use the Previous and Next buttons to move between scenes.

Each scene and choice needs to be translated individually. Translated scenes show a badge so you can track your progress.

Removing a Language

To remove all translations for a language, click the “Remove” button next to the language in the Translations panel. This permanently deletes all translations for that language.

Auto Translations

Use auto translate to automatically translate your story. This is a fast way to get a first draft of translations that you can then review and refine.

Translating a Single Scene

  1. Open the translation view for a language.
  2. Navigate to the scene you want to translate.
  3. Click “Auto Translate Scene”.
  4. A translation is generated and appears in the editor.
  5. Review and edit the translation, then save.

Translating All Scenes

  1. In the language list, click “Translate All” next to the target language.
  2. All untranslated scenes are translated in order. Already-translated scenes are skipped.
  3. A progress indicator shows how many scenes have been translated.

Auto-generated translations are marked with an indicator badge. The translator preserves variable placeholders and adapts idioms naturally for the target language rather than translating literally.

Translation Tips

  • Review auto translations for idioms, cultural references, and tone. Auto translate provides a solid starting point but may not capture every nuance.
  • Keep variable placeholders intact. The curly-brace placeholders like {variableName} must stay exactly as they are in the translation.
  • Translate scene-by-scene for the best quality. The translator uses previous scene context to maintain narrative consistency.
  • Check choice text carefully. Short choice text can be ambiguous out of context, so verify the interpretation.

Translation Progress

The Translations panel shows progress for each language:

  • Progress bar showing the percentage of translated content.
  • Scene count showing translated vs. total scenes.
  • Choice count showing translated vs. total choices.

A language is considered fully translated when all scenes and choices have translations. Entity names (variables, NPCs, factions, personas), chapter titles, and story metadata translations are also tracked.

Reader Experience

Language Selection

When your story has translations available, readers see a language selector on the story detail page. They can choose their preferred language before starting to play.

In-Game Language Switching

Readers can change the language while playing from the in-game settings. The new language takes effect on the next scene.

Partial Translations

If a scene hasn’t been translated into the selected language, the reader sees the original content in the primary language with a message indicating the translation is not yet available. Story progression is never blocked by missing translations.

Exporting and Importing Translations

JSON Export

When you export your story as JSON, all translations are included in the export file. The export format version is set to 1.1 when translations are present.

JSON Import

When importing a Storyfall JSON file that contains translations, the translations are automatically imported alongside the story content. All translation data is preserved, including AI-generation flags.

HTML Export

The exported HTML file sets the correct language attribute based on your story’s primary language. Translations are not currently embedded in the HTML export.

Next Steps