Overview of how open-source web map rendering technology can work with language data in OpenStreetMap and other sources to enable localization specific to Taiwan
Vector cartography has become a mature technology for showing OpenStreetMap-based maps on the web. The main benefit of vector over raster maps is that they can be customized in the web browser with open source rendering libraries like MapboxGL, OpenLayers and Tangram. Besides visual design, vector maps enable client-side localization. Taiwan has multiple scripts and spoken languages, so it presents unique challenges for map localization.
Challenges:
- Design considerations in client-side CJK text rendering and map labeling
- Unicode issues specific to Taiwan place names
- OSM guidelines on transliteration and verifiability
- Licensing of government and academic datasets
Opportunities:
- Localizing maps in languages such as Taigi, Hakka or Amis
- Creating more usable maps for users with limited Chinese reading ability
- Linking OSM with datasets such as Moedict and iTaigi
About Brandon Liu
Creator of Protomaps and tools for custom cartography on the web. OpenStreetMap, GIS and civic data tools developer. Interested in computer graphics, text rendering, databases and systems programming. http://bdon.org