Keywording in multiple languages

[perkarlsson]

Perhaps someone has had similar issues...:

I am working with an "English language" stock agency and I will also be working with a "French language" agency.

Today I am keywording my images in English and embedding the data in the file (Using Portfolio as it so happens).

My French agency will of course need keywords in French.

What is the best way to manage multi-language keywording?

There are various options. Here are some:

1. All-at-once

Put all English and French keywords together in the same keywords IPTC field.

Drawback: it will make for even longer lists of keywords in the file

2. Duplicate the files

Make two versions of each processed file, one keyworded in English and one in French.

Drawback: nightmare to manage multiple originals.

3. English as main, French not embedded

Work with English as a main language and embed only those keywords. Create a custom field in the DAM which will house  the French keywords. These can then either be embedded "on the fly" when submitting to the French agency or perhaps submitted in an accompanying file.

-

None of these solutions are very good. My penchant today is to go for #1 mix French and English keywords in the same IPTC field. Why? Easiest to manage, least risk for data loss. Also because I think that the French agency only requires a small subset of the keywords in French, primarily the specialised and very technical terms in their sector.

Anyone has any experience on a similar multi-language keywording situation or any comments on my reasoning?

-Per

[perkarlsson]

Coming back to this 'old' subject - just found a software that possibly can solve the multi-language keywording problem, BabelPix.
Mentioned here:
http://www.controlledvocabulary.com/imagedatabases/babelpix.html
... but the publishers web site seems to no longer exist.

I'll investigate further but someone here have perhaps heard about it?

[gardenphotography]

For plants I need three: Russian and English common names and Latin species names. I use Russian keyword tree structure because I am Russian and in synonyms I put English common names and Latin species name with "lat. " prefix.

Then I can use php script to filter out Russian or English keywords (because Russian and English use different letters) or Latin because of its prefix!

So, In my case before sending images to a client I need to pass files thru my php filtering script.

[ThomasK]

I found the programmer, Giorgio Maone, at www.informaction.com. The software Babelpix was developed for the company Bedouin Ventures (no more on the web). Perhaps Giorgio will inform us if he can the rights on Babelpix to work on the software.