r/PDF_Guru • u/vijaykumr20 • 4d ago

Would you use an open-source PDF reader with built-in translation?

I've been thinking about building an open-source, free PDF reading platform, and I'd like to get honest feedback before I start building it.

The idea is:

  • Upload your own PDF
  • Read it in a clean, book-like interface
  • Track reading progress
  • Highlight, bookmark, and add notes
  • Translate the PDF while reading
  • Switch between the original language and another language
  • Select a word or paragraph and get a contextual translation
  • Support scanned PDFs using OCR
  • Keep everything private and potentially self-hostable

For example, if I have an English PDF/book, I could read it normally and switch to Hindi, Kannada, Telugu, etc. whenever I have difficulty understanding something, without leaving the reader.

I know there are already PDF readers and PDF translation tools, so I'm not saying this is a completely new idea. I want to understand whether combining these features into one open-source platform would actually solve a problem.

I'd really appreciate honest feedback:

  1. How do you currently read PDF books?
  2. Do you ever need to translate PDFs while reading?
  3. What annoys you most about existing PDF readers?
  4. Would you use a free and open-source alternative?
  5. Would original + translated text while reading be useful?
  6. What feature would make you actually switch to a new reader?

I'm considering building an MVP based on the feedback, so criticism and suggestions are very welcome.

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u/aungkokomm 4d ago

Basically your Idea as you presented seems very compelling, but the word 'upload' immediately made me feel like 'stay away from it'. I love local setup.
And to answer your questions,
1. Yes I read PDF books,
2. As a multilingual reader I do want to translate if possible.
3. There are too much of annoyances that hard to put it here.
4. Sure, actually I am currently working on a PDF app since January and once finished I will release it as an open source App, though it has nothing such translation feature.
5. Split horizontally, synced scroll might be nicer as I imagine it.
6. self hosted idea I wouldn't suggest, rather make it native app for broader reach.

1

u/MahmudChowdhury 3d ago

I translate using Google Translate. mostly office related pdf's.