Localized people names

[GunChleoc]

Impactor asked me of a list of common first names and surnames in my language. Could you point me to the code / file format, so I can create one?

Note that I will also need separate surnames for male and female.

I am also translating planet/star/constellation names for Stellarium, so if you need a list, please let me know.

[impaktor]

Hi!

Right, I mentioned it to you since I though you might find it interesting, since you seem devoted to keeping your language alive, which I applaud you for.

So my thinking (for those whom I haven't spoken to about this before) is that each system will have a culture, or a mix of cultures, that will be used by the random name generator for picking character names (mainly for the BBS) of that culture. Thus each system will get a bit more of a unique feeling.

I can't promise anything about how/when/if it gets done, but at the moment, I have, about 50-100 names of each gender and about 100 surnames for each "culture", as I call them.

Regarding format: I'll use Lua-files because each culture need to have the freedom to specify functions to modify names. In particular I was thinking about slavic surnames being different for female and male. But how the "final" version will look like I don't know.

Ha, also, for Icelandic, I imagine I only need first names. Last names are just <father's first name> +dottir or +son, which a "lastname()" function can fix.

So for now, I'd prefer just a text file or something of names in plain text. Either link from here, or post in code-block.

@GunChleoc Is there a pattern for how the last names are modified for female/male names in Gaelic?

If anyone is interested, for now, each "culture" is just three lua-tables:
https://github.com/impaktor/pioneer/tre ... ta/culture

I have French, German, Spanish, Italian, Russian, Chinese, Japanese, and Swedish :).

I also have Greek and Dutch last names, but no first names (not included in the branch yet). Polish names would be fun too.

Also, I found there are good official resources for name statistics in Scotland, but I couldn't find anything for England or Wales.

As a bonus, playing pioneer, you will learn which names belong to which country.

Ideally, these scripts could also provide geographical names, but that's quite a lot more work in compiling data as each entry would have to be handpicked, and as I said before, I don't know if this will ever be merged, so no need to spend unnecessary effort on this at this point.

[GunChleoc]

Sounds like a cool project :)

names statistics for Scotland wouldn't do me much good, because until a few decades ago it was illegal to register Gaelic names. I do have a list though, so I'll post it here. It's a bit long, so I'll separate this into multiple posts.

Male given names

Code: Select all

Aaron
Adaidh
Àdhamh
Adhamhnan
Àilde
Ailidh
Ailig
Ailpein
Aindreas
Airril
Alasdair
Ambros
Amhalgaidh
Amhlaigh
Angaidh
Anndaidh
Anndra
Aodh
Aonghas
Ardal
Armadal
Artair
Asgaill
Athairne
Bairrfhionn
Baltair
Baodan
Baoithein
Bearach
Bearnard
Beathan
Bhàididh
Billean
Blàr
Blàthan
Boisil
Bran
Brandubh
Breannan
Brian
Brus
Buillidh
Cailbhin
Cailean
Cairbre
Calum
Camran
Caoilte
Caomhainn
Catan
Cathal
Cè
Ceallach
Ceasan
Ciaran
Cliaman
Codrum
Coinneach
Coireall
Còiseam
Colla
Còmhall
Còmhan
Conall
Conan
Conchar
Conn
Corc
Corcadail
Cormag
Cosgrach
Criostal
Crìstean
Cuimein
Cùithbeirt
Curadan
Daibhidh
Dàire
Dàn
Dànaidh
Daniel
Diarmad
Diocail
Dobharchu
Dolaidh
Domhangart
Dòmhnaig
Dòmhnall
Donaidh
Donnan
Donnchadh
Donnghail
Drostan
Dubh
Dubhagan
Dubhshìth
Dubhthach
Dùghall
Dùghlas
Duibhne
DunShlèibhe
Eachann
Eacharn
Eadalf
Èadan
Ealair
Eamailinn
Èamann
Eanraig
Earail
Earc
Earnan
Èideard
Eircheard
Èirdsidh
Eochaidh
Eòghann
Eòin
Eònan
Eònasdan
Eòs
Fàilbhe
Faolan
Feadair
Fearchar
Feardorcha
Feargan
Fearghail
Fearghas
Filip
Fionghan
Fionn
Fionnbharr
Fionnchan
Fionnghal
Fionnlagh
Fionntan
Flaithbheartach
Flann
Flannagan
Fothadh
Frang
Friseal
Gabhan
Gabhran
Garbhan
Gearald
Gileabart
GilleAnndrais
GilleBrìde
GilleChrìosda
GillEasbaig
GilleEathain
GilleÌosa
Glaisne
Goraidh
Gòrdan
Gormal
Greum
Griogair
Guaire
Guinnein
Guirmean
Horas
Iàcob
Iain
Ioghan
Ìomhar
Iòna
Iorcall
Ìosag
Labhrainn
Lachaidh
Lachlann
Laise
Latharn
Leòd
Lorcan
Luag
Lùcas
Lulach
Lùthais
Machar
Madadh
Manachan
Mànas
Maoilios
Maoilsneachda
Maoldòmhnaich
Maolmoire
Maolruibh
Maon
Marcas
Màrtainn
Maruibhe
Mata
Mìcheal
Moireach
Morgan
Muireach
Mungan
Murchadh
Murdaigean
Naoise
Naomhan
Neacal
Neachdain
Neas
Neasan
Niall
Niallghas
Ninean
Noraidh
Odhran
Oilbhreis
Oisean
Oitir
Olghar
Onchu
Osgar
Pàdraig
Panaidh
Para
Pàrlan
Peadar
Pòl
Prainnseas
Raghnall
Raibeart
Raomann
Ridseard
Rob
Rodaidh
Ròidh
Roidsear
Roithridh
Ronaidh
Rònan
Ros
Ruairidh
Ruarachan
Ruimean
Sandaidh
Saorbhreitheach
Scotaidh
Sealbhach
Seàn
Searc
Sèitheach
Seoc
Seon
Seonaidh
Seòrsa
Seumas
Sgàire
Siamaidh
Sìm
Sionn
Sitrig
Solamh
Sòlas
Somhairle
Steafan
Stiùbhart
Suain
Suibhne
Taog
Taraghlan
Taran
Teàrlach
Toirealach
Tòmas
Torcall
Tormod
Torradan
Torranan
Truinnean
Uallas
Ualraig
Uilleam
Ùisdean
Ultan
Ùspaig

[GunChleoc]

Female given names

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Aigneas
Ailean
Aileas
Ailis
Àine
Anabal
Anna
Annag
Aoife
Beasag
Beathag
Beitidh
Beitiris
Borgach
Brianag
Brìghde
Cairistìona
Caitir
Caitlin
Caoimhe
Caointeorn
Catrìona
Ceana
Ceit
Ceiterein
Ceitidh
Ciorstaidh
Climidh
Clìona
Criosaidh
Dearbhail
Dearshul
Deirdre
Doileag
Ealasaid
Eamag
Eapag
Èibhlin
Eilidh
Eilispidh
Eimhir
Eithne
Eubha
Fiona
Fionnaghal
Floireans
Flòraidh
Frangag
Gobnait
Gormal
Gràinne
Greudach
Griseal
Ìde
Iseabail
Latharna
Leagsaidh
Leitis
Lileas
Lilidh
Lìosa
Liùsaidh
Magaidh
Màili
Mairead
Màiri
Malamhìn
Marsaili
Marta
Meabh
Meusaidh
Milread
Moire
Mòr
Mòrag
Muireall
Muireann
Mùirne
Murdag
Nansaidh
Neillidh
Niamh
Nuala
Oighrig
Òrlaith
Peanaidh
Peigi
Raonaid
Rìghean
Rìona
Rìonach
Ròs
Sàra
Seàrlaid
Seas
Seòna
Seònaid
Seòrdag
Sìle
Sìleas
Simeag
Sìne
Sìneag
Siobhàn
Sitheag
Siùsag
Slàine
Slàinte
Sonas
Sorcha
Tòmag
Uilleag
Ùna

[GunChleoc]

Male Surnames

Note that some of them start with a lowercase letter.

Code: Select all

à Monadh Teith
Abarach
Achadh Leac
Achadh nan Leac
Albannach
an Àrd Ruighe
Annainn
Baile an Deadhain
Baile Phùir
Baodan
Baoideach
Barrach
Bacastaireach
Bacastair
Barrach
Bealaich
Beinneach
Benneit
Bigearach
Blàrach
Bochanan
Bonair
Bosail
Bothail
Caimbeul
Camshron
Ceann Locha
Ceannadach
Creagach
Creagach
Cuimeanach
Earrann Buachaille
Fearchar
Friseal
Gòrdan
Grannd
Granndach
Greumach
Gunnach
Iarlaidh
Irbhinn
Lògan
Mac à Lìos
Mac a' Bhàillidh
Mac a' Bhàird
Mac a' Bharain
Mac a' Bharbair
Mac a' Bhreatnaich
Mac a' Bhritheimh
Mac a' Bhriuthainn
Mac a' Bhrògaire
Mac a' Bhutlair
Mac a' Chlèirich
Mac a' Chombaich
Mac a' Ghleanna
Mac a' Ghobhainn
Mac a' Gniomhaid
Mac a' Mhuilleir
Mac a' Phearsain
Mac a' Phì
Mac an Aba
Mac an Aistrich
Mac an Armadair
Mac an Bhiadhtaich
Mac an Deadhain
Mac an Deòir
Mac an Deucoin
Mac an Duibh
Mac an Eunadair
Mac an Fhigheadair
Mac an Fhilidh
Mac an Fhir-Lèighinn
Mac an Fhleisdeir
Mac an Fhùcadair
Mac an Fhuinneadair
Mac an Filidh
Mac an Fuinneadair
Mac an Gheàirr
Mac an Iasgair
Mac an Lamhaich
Mac an Lèigh
Mac an Ruaidh
Mac an t-Sagairt
Mac an t-Saigheadair
Mac an t-Saoir
Mac an t-Sealgair
Mac an t-Suaicheantaiche
Mac an Tàilleir
Mac an Toisich
Mac an Tuairneir
Mac an Ultaich
Mac na Ceàrda
MacAda
MacAdaidh
MacÀdhaimh
MacAibhistein
MacAibhril
MacAilein
MacAilpein
MacAimhiridh
MacAlasdair
MacAmbrois
MacAmhlaidh
MacAmhsalain
MacAmoinn
MacAoidh
MacAonghais
MacArailt
MacArbhaidh
MacÀrnaid
MacArtaine
MacArtair
MacAsgaill
MacBhaoighill
MacBhatair
MacBheagain
MacBheatha
MacBheathain
MacBhiadhtaich
MacBhig
MacBhiocair
MacBhiorna
MacBhothain
MacBhradain
MacBhranain
MacBhràthair
MacBhreabadair
MacBhreatnaigh
MacBhrìdein
MacBhroin
MacBhurail
MacCafraidh
MacCaibe
MacCailein
MacCairbre
MacCalmain
MacCaluim
MacCamlaoich
MacCaoig
MacCàrdaidh
MacCathachaidh
MacCasain
MacCathail
MacCathain
MacCathbharra
MacCathmhaoil
MacGilleChathair
MacCeàirr
MacCeallaich
MacCeàrnachain
MacCeàrnaich
MacCiarain
MacCionaoidh
MacCnaimhin
MacCodruim
MacCoineagain
MacCoinnich
MacCoirc
MacCoise
MacColla
MacComhain
MacCòmhghain
MacConcharraige
MacCorcadail
MacCormaig
MacCorrain
MacCreamhain
MacCruim
MacCruiteir
MacCuain
MacCùga
MacCuithein
MacCullaich
MacDhaibhid
Dòmhnallach
MacDhòmhnaill
MacDhonnchaidh
MacDhubhaich
MacDhùghaill
MacDhuibhshith
MacDhuinnShlèibhe
MacDhùirnin
MacDhùnain
MacDhiarmaid
MacEachainn
MacEachairn
MacEalair
MacEamainn
MacEanraig
MacÈigeir
MacEòghainn
MacEòin
MacFhearchair
MacFhearghais
MacFhèinne
MacFhilip
MacFhionghain
MacFhionnlaigh
MacFhitheachain
MacFhlaithbheartaich
MacFhraing
MacRaghnaill
MacGaothain
MacGearailt
MacGileabairt
MacGille
MacGilleAnndrais
MacGilleBhàin
MacGilleBheathain
MacGilleBhlàin
MacGilleBhràith
MacGilleBhrìghde
MacGilleBhuidhe
MacGilleChairge
MacGilleChathbhaith
MacGilleChrìosta
MacGilleDheòradha
MacGilleDhuibh
MacGilleDhuinn
MacGilleEàrnain
MacGilleEasbaig
MacGilleEathain
MacGilleEidich
MacGilleFearga
MacGilleFhaolagain
MacGilleFhaolain
MacGilleFhinnein
MacGilleFhiontain
MacGilleFhionndaig
MacGilleÌosa
MacGilleMhìcheil
MacGilleMhoire
MacGilleMhunna
MacGillenaMhaoil
MacGilleNaoimh
MacGilleOnchon
MacGilleOnfhaidh
MacGilleRiabhaich
MacGilleRuaidh
MacGilleSheathanaich
MacGilleUidhir
MacGilleFhionndaig
MacGlasain
MacGobhainn
MacGoill
MacGothraidh
MacGriogair
MacGriogair
MacGuaire
MacGumaraid
MacIain
MacIain
MacIainUidhir
MacIomhainn
MacÌomhair
MacÌosaig
MacLabhrainn
MacLachlainn
MacLagain
MacLaomainn
MacLeacaich
MacLeòid
MacLothaidh
MacLùcais
MacLughaidh
MacLuinge
MacLuirg
MacMhaighstir
MacMhànais
MacMhaoinich
MacMhaolain
MacMhaolEòin
MacMharais
MacMhàrtainn
MacMhata
MacMhathain
MacMhiadhachain
MacMhiadhaich
MacMhìcheil
MacMhoirein
MacMhòrdha
MacMhuirich
MacMhurchaidh
MacMhurghalain
MacNeacail
MacNeachdain
MacNèidh
MacNèill
MacNiallghais
MacNeis
MacNia
MacNiallghais
MacNiocail
MacÒgain
MacPhàdraig
MacPhaidein
MacPhàil
MacPhàrlain
MacPheadair
MacPheadrais
MacPhearsain
MacPheidearain
MacPhlèiminn
MacRaghnaill
MacRaibeirt
MacRàth
MacRuairidh
MacRuimein
MacShealbhaich
MacSheathain
MacShim
MacShimidh
MacShithich
MacShitrig
MacShuail
MacSuain
MacShuibhne
MacSporain
MacThàmhais
MacThàmhais
MacTheàrlaich
MacThoirdhealbhaich
MacThòm
MacThòmaidh
MacThòmais
MacThomhrair
MacTuirc
MacUalraig
MacUeirich
MacUilleim
MacÙisdein
MacUrardaich
MaolMhìcheil
Màrr
Moireach
Moireasdan
Muireach
Murchadh
na h-Àirde
Obar Bhuadhnait
Obar Chrombach
Obar Neithich
Reumair
Rothach
Siosalach
Srath Annainn
Stiùbhart
Sutharlanach
Urchardain

[GunChleoc]

Female Surnames

If we will go with a rule-based approach, we will have to remove MacTuirc / NicThuirc, because of the extra h in NicThuirc.

The difference between male and female surnames is at the beginning of the word. The general rules to transform male -> female would be (in pseudocode):

Code: Select all

if male.starts_with("Mac") then
   female = male.replace_first("Mac", "Nic")
else
   female = lenite(male)
end

// This adds an h after the first consonant if conditions are met.
function lenite(male)
   local female = ""
   if male.startswith("B") then
      female = male.replace_first("B", "Bh")
   else if male.startswith("C") then
      female = male.replace_first("C", "Ch")
   else if male.startswith("D") then
      female = male.replace_first("D", "Dh")
   else if male.startswith("F") then
      female = male.replace_first("F", "Fh")
   else if male.startswith("G") then
      female = male.replace_first("G", "Gh")
   else if male.startswith("M") then
      female = male.replace_first("M", "Mh")
   else if male.startswith("P") then
      female = male.replace_first("P", "Ph")
   else if male.startswith("S" followed by l, n, r or vowel) then // vowels = aeiouàèìòù
      female = male.replace_first("S", "Sh")
   else if male.startswith("T") then
      female = male.replace_first("T", "Th")
   end
   return female
end

The lenition rule is probably best implemented by some regex.

And here's the list, just in case - in the same order as the male list.

Code: Select all

à Monadh Teith
Abarach
Achadh Leac
Achadh nan Leac
Albannach
an Àrd Ruighe
Annainn
Baile an Deadhain
Baile Phùir
Bhaodan
Bhaoideach
Bharrach
Bhacastaireach
Bhacastair
Bharrach
Bhealaich
Bheinneach
Bhenneit
Bhigearach
Bhlàrach
Bhochanan
Bhonair
Bhosail
Bhothail
Chaimbeul
Chamshron
Ceann Locha
Cheannadach
Chreagach
Chreagach
Chuimeanach
Earrann Buachaille
Fhearchar
Fhriseal
Ghòrdan
Ghrannd
Ghranndach
Ghreumach
Ghunnach
Iarlaidh
Irbhinn
Lògan
Nic à Lìos
Nic a' Bhàillidh
Nic a' Bhàird
Nic a' Bharain
Nic a' Bharbair
Nic a' Bhreatnaich
Nic a' Bhritheimh
Nic a' Bhriuthainn
Nic a' Bhrògaire
Nic a' Bhutlair
Nic a' Chlèirich
Nic a' Chombaich
Nic a' Ghleanna
Nic a' Ghobhainn
Nic a' Gniomhaid
Nic a' Mhuilleir
Nic a' Phearsain
Nic a' Phì
Nic an Aba
Nic an Aistrich
Nic an Armadair
Nic an Bhiadhtaich
Nic an Deadhain
Nic an Deòir
Nic an Deucoin
Nic an Duibh
Nic an Eunadair
Nic an Fhigheadair
Nic an Fhilidh
Nic an Fhir-Lèighinn
Nic an Fhleisdeir
Nic an Fhùcadair
Nic an Fhuinneadair
Nic an Filidh
Nic an Fuinneadair
Nic an Gheàirr
Nic an Iasgair
Nic an Lamhaich
Nic an Lèigh
Nic an Ruaidh
Nic an t-Sagairt
Nic an t-Saigheadair
Nic an t-Saoir
Nic an t-Sealgair
Nic an t-Suaicheantaiche
Nic an Tàilleir
Nic an Toisich
Nic an Tuairneir
Nic an Ultaich
Nic na Ceàrda
NicAda
NicAdaidh
NicÀdhaimh
NicAibhistein
NicAibhril
NicAilein
NicAilpein
NicAimhiridh
NicAlasdair
NicAmbrois
NicAmhlaidh
NicAmhsalain
NicAmoinn
NicAoidh
NicAonghais
NicArailt
NicArbhaidh
NicÀrnaid
NicArtaine
NicArtair
NicAsgaill
NicBhaoighill
NicBhatair
NicBheagain
NicBheatha
NicBheathain
NicBhiadhtaich
NicBhig
NicBhiocair
NicBhiorna
NicBhothain
NicBhradain
NicBhranain
NicBhràthair
NicBhreabadair
NicBhreatnaigh
NicBhrìdein
NicBhroin
NicBhurail
NicCafraidh
NicCaibe
NicCailein
NicCairbre
NicCalmain
NicCaluim
NicCamlaoich
NicCaoig
NicCàrdaidh
NicCathachaidh
NicCasain
NicCathail
NicCathain
NicCathbharra
NicCathmhaoil
NicGilleChathair
NicCeàirr
NicCeallaich
NicCeàrnachain
NicCeàrnaich
NicCiarain
NicCionaoidh
NicCnaimhin
NicCodruim
NicCoineagain
NicCoinnich
NicCoirc
NicCoise
NicColla
NicComhain
NicCòmhghain
NicConcharraige
NicCorcadail
NicCormaig
NicCorrain
NicCreamhain
NicCruim
NicCruiteir
NicCuain
NicCùga
NicCuithein
NicCullaich
NicDhaibhid
Dhòmhnallach
NicDhòmhnaill
NicDhonnchaidh
NicDhubhaich
NicDhùghaill
NicDhuibhshith
NicDhuinnShlèibhe
NicDhùirnin
NicDhùnain
NicDhiarmaid
NicEachainn
NicEachairn
NicEalair
NicEamainn
NicEanraig
NicÈigeir
NicEòghainn
NicEòin
NicFhearchair
NicFhearghais
NicFhèinne
NicFhilip
NicFhionghain
NicFhionnlaigh
NicFhitheachain
NicFhlaithbheartaich
NicFhraing
NicRaghnaill
NicGaothain
NicGearailt
NicGileabairt
NicGille
NicGilleAnndrais
NicGilleBhàin
NicGilleBheathain
NicGilleBhlàin
NicGilleBhràith
NicGilleBhrìghde
NicGilleBhuidhe
NicGilleChairge
NicGilleChathbhaith
NicGilleChrìosta
NicGilleDheòradha
NicGilleDhuibh
NicGilleDhuinn
NicGilleEàrnain
NicGilleEasbaig
NicGilleEathain
NicGilleEidich
NicGilleFearga
NicGilleFhaolagain
NicGilleFhaolain
NicGilleFhinnein
NicGilleFhiontain
NicGilleFhionndaig
NicGilleÌosa
NicGilleMhìcheil
NicGilleMhoire
NicGilleMhunna
NicGillenaMhaoil
NicGilleNaoimh
NicGilleOnchon
NicGilleOnfhaidh
NicGilleRiabhaich
NicGilleRuaidh
NicGilleSheathanaich
NicGilleUidhir
NicGilleFhionndaig
NicGlasain
NicGobhainn
NicGoill
NicGothraidh
NicGriogair
NicGriogair
NicGuaire
NicGumaraid
NicIain
NicIain
NicIainUidhir
NicIomhainn
NicÌomhair
NicÌosaig
NicLabhrainn
NicLachlainn
NicLagain
NicLaomainn
NicLeacaich
NicLeòid
NicLothaidh
NicLùcais
NicLughaidh
NicLuinge
NicLuirg
NicMhaighstir
NicMhànais
NicMhaoinich
NicMhaolain
NicMhaolEòin
NicMharais
NicMhàrtainn
NicMhata
NicMhathain
NicMhiadhachain
NicMhiadhaich
NicMhìcheil
NicMhoirein
NicMhòrdha
NicMhuirich
NicMhurchaidh
NicMhurghalain
NicNeacail
NicNeachdain
NicNèidh
NicNèill
NicNiallghais
NicNeis
NicNia
NicNiallghais
NicNiocail
NicÒgain
NicPhàdraig
NicPhaidein
NicPhàil
NicPhàrlain
NicPheadair
NicPheadrais
NicPhearsain
NicPheidearain
NicPhlèiminn
NicRaghnaill
NicRaibeirt
NicRàth
NicRuairidh
NicRuimein
NicShealbhaich
NicSheathain
NicShim
NicShimidh
NicShithich
NicShitrig
NicShuail
NicSuain
NicShuibhne
NicSporain
NicThàmhais
NicThàmhais
NicTheàrlaich
NicThoirdhealbhaich
NicThòm
NicThòmaidh
NicThòmais
NicThomhrair
NicThuirc
NicUalraig
NicUeirich
NicUilleim
NicÙisdein
NicUrardaich
MaolMhìcheil
Mhàrr
Mhoireach
Mhoireasdan
Mhuireach
Mhurchadh
na h-Àirde
Obar Bhuadhnait
Obar Chrombach
Obar Neithich
Reumair
Rothach
Shiosalach
Srath Annainn
Stiùbhart
Shutharlanach
Urchardain

[GunChleoc]

Oh, and another point: These will be fine for names in directories etc. When addressing people, we will need some grammar rules for that as well. Gaelic and Slavic languages have a vocative case just like Latin did, and in English one would also address people with Mr/Ms in front of their name, right?

ETA: I just had a look at he German list. The names are all correct, I would avoid names that are too similar too each other though, for people who don't speak the language not to get confused. So, we might need to redact my lists a bit as well.

Also, I'm sure the Japanese localiser will holler for being allowed to provide a version in Japanese script and the Russian in Cyrillic, so your code should be prepared for that. And a Bulgarian speaker would prefer to see the Russian names in Cyrillic too, so we will need some form of locale/script list.

I also have a database for actual Gaelic place names available - most of them describe what the place looks like though, so they can't be assigned by a random script. We would need to tie those to the planet generator parameters in some way and come up with our own.

[impaktor]

Thanks!

I'll add the names to my branch later.

Regarding script languages: the game still needs to be playable, and thus names should be some what intelligible, thus we can not have names in non-latin alphabets. The point of my "cultures" is not localization, but immersion. Thus Russian, Japanese, and Chinese names need to be in their westernized form. A player must beable to (approximately) pronounce/read a name.

And if the players on our Chinese forum want an all Chinese universe, it's lua, so they can change it. (As far as I can tell, they have not modified our existing random name generator, or star names.)

The same goes with courtesy phrases. I think it's best if the universal rules apply. In an international setting, where English is spoken, one does not (usually) apply localized courtesy phrases, but stick with English.

[GunChleoc]

Thanks!

I'll add the names to my branch later.

Regarding script languages: the game still needs to be playable, and thus names should be some what intelligible, thus we can not have names in non-latin alphabets. The point of my "cultures" is not localization, but immersion. Thus Russian, Japanese, and Chinese names need to be in their westernized form. A player must beable to (approximately) pronounce/read a name.

I agree, which is why we should have ja@latin and ja@<japanese script> as well as ru@latin and ru@cyrillic etc. Then it would be up to the localisers to work with the coders to provide lists in their script.

An English or French speaker then would always fetch the <language>@latin scripts, and a Russian speaker would look for a <language>@cyrillic script and if it isn't available, fall back to the <language>@latin script.

And if the players on our Chinese forum want an all Chinese universe, it's lua, so they can change it. (As far as I can tell, they have not modified our existing random name generator, or star names.)

I haven't either - I didn't even know that this is possible. It needs some documentation in http://pioneerwiki.com/wiki/Translations. Since Pioneer is still under heavy development, some rudimentary documentation would do at this point?

I would definitely be interested in working on that once I have the base translation back to 100%.

The same goes with courtesy phrases. I think it's best if the universal rules apply. In an international setting, where English is spoken, one does not (usually) apply localized courtesy phrases, but stick with English.

Hmm, this gets complicated - an English speaker would address Mòrag Mhoireasdan by Mrs. Morrison. So, we really have to plan ahead to know where the names will be used before we do a lot of coding on the lists.