Re: [Ilohamail-devel] Translation of "compose"

[Leif H. S. <hyp...@le...>]

m=E5ndagen den 30 juni 2003 kl 04.12 skreiv Gilberto Sena Rios:

> Just some thoughts about the translation of "compose"
> 1 - Netscape, and Mozilla, uses "compose" as a meaning for "writing a
> new message" or a new "HTML page" in their built-in composer;

Actually they use the verb "Compose" only inside the "Mail &=20
Newsgroups" application! And then they use it as the name of the "new=20
e-mail button". Inside "Composer" application it doesn't appear as a=20
verb. Only as a name (for instance "New Composer Page"). We must=20
remember that Ilohamail only contains a *button* and no menus.=20
"Compose" then is in line with the Mozilla practise.

> 2 - Microsoft likes to use the term "NEW" so it fits with its =
standard:
> you choose to write, or compose, a "new" "word"'s document, a "new"
> Excel's spreadsheet, and  a "new message";

YOu don't mention Apple practise. They also uses "Compose". On the=20
button inside the mailbox browser, just like Mozilla does. MS Outlook=20
Express for Mac uses "New" but the "tool tips text" says "Compose new=20
message"...

> 3 - As it holds a great market share, its standard ends up becoming a
> "de facto" standard, and so many other companies also use it;
> 4 - In Brazil, most Webmail services use the expression "New Message"=20=

> or
> just "New" so it will become easy for Microsoft Users  to understand
> "what it really does" ( "write" is used also by some few);
> 5 - The Brazilian translation uses "New Message" so it will couple =
with
> translations used in others softwares.
> 6 - and finally, the option "compose" just offers to the user =
functions
> needed for writing a new e-mail,as we are talking about a e-mail=20
> client,
> no-matter how sophisticated it can be or how it will be done.
> 7 - Leif Halvard Silli is right when said that "compose, ... in many
> no-english languages ... is linked to art ..." ( at least in Brazilian
> Portuguese).

Mostly musical art, I think. When we e.g. talk about "how a picture is=20=

composed" we do not think about the *content* of it, but the internal=20
form of it, how its elements stands in relation to each others. Perhaps=20=

it is contended in the word also: "com pose", com-positioned... A=20
"composer" is a "music maker". Probably we reserve the word mostly for=20=

the "music making" because (Classical) music making is conceived as=20
positioning of set elements (Do-Re-Mi-Fa-So-La-Ti-Do...)  a set frame=20
(the type of composition). In this way we might say that "to Compose",=20=

even if it is reserved for art, is not a word for "being free form=20
creative", but a word for *balancing* elements against each others (aka=20=

"put together").

In the languages I know a bit, except english, I don't advocate use of=20=

"Compose", but it must be said that since Ilohamail is *mostly* only an=20=

e-mailer, Compose becomes (in theory at least) very clear. Because,=20
what else could you compose with it but letters? ;-) At least you don't=20=

compose a "new contact" or a "new event" in the calendar or a new=20
Bookmark. Which is why "Compose" is also very distinct from "New" which=20=

could mean "new contact" or "new calendar event". And finally: since=20
people *will* understand, then instead of saying that a simplistic=20
language is enough, you instead take that as an oppurtunity to perhaps=20=

think differently.

> So I think, for simplicity sake and to accomplish with the market (you
> can read Microsoft), it could be changed to something like "Write New
> Message" or "New Message" or even just "New" as most of the users will
> understand what it is all about.

If you by this try to say that perhaps also the english version of=20
Ilohamail could change the name of the button as well, then I disagree,=20=

as it is in line with *button naming* in Apples "Mail" and Mozillas=20
"Mail & Newsgroups" to use "Compose".

Anyway, when I log into Ilohamail I feel like I am logging into an=20
office or a study: to the left I have the folders (and folder=20
management) where I keep the letters. To the right of them I have the=20
"letter forms" which I can use to "compose/put together" e-mails. Then=20=

follows "the calendar" or "fil-o-fax" if you wish. And the book of=20
"contacts". And then some things to remember, the "bookmarks". And=20
finally a button for the "set up/choises/options" of the office. I=20
think that the translation must keep an eye to how the elements of (in=20=

this case) Ilohamai play together. I.e. look at how Ilohamail is=20
*composed* and not only look at single elements.

Simply to write "new" instead of "compose" does not play into this=20
composition, I feel. It is understandable, but is it musical? ;-) We=20
must dare to use the images and imagry of the english original a bit=20
more, I think. *And* to use/develope the equivalent imagery of our own=20=

languages. (And now I think not only about Ilohamail.) I will again=20
mention the Swedish translation of Apple Mail as a good example, with=20
its consequent use of "Brev" (i.e. "Letter") through the whole program.=20=

  And this is my secound point: consequense. If you are consequent,=20
people will understand what you mean. And being consequent therefore=20
gives you opportunity for being creative.

Btw, the Norwegian (nn) version of Mozilla has the name of Mozillas=20
"Composer" translated into the 17 letters long equivalent of "net page=20=

development" ("Nettsideutvikling"). ;-) Quite dull, if you ask me.=20
Still it sort of works because the translation is consequent.

But of course, I am not here to tell you what the translation should=20
look like in "Brasilian Portuguese". I just have these ideas, and it is=20=

sort of interesting to see if it is --at all-- possible to discuss=20
these things in an international setting...
--=20
leif