Re: [Gaim-i18n] Re: Bad language in Gaim

[Isriya P. <mar...@gm...>]

On 4/25/06, Richard Laager <rl...@wi...> wrote:
> On Tue, 2006-04-25 at 09:32 +0200, Bjoern Voigt wrote:
>
> I said I expect translators to fully understand what they're
> translating. If it's not obvious and there aren't comments (which, I
> agree, there could be more), then ask. I don't think that's unreasonable
> at all. Ask about the string here.
>
> You asked. That was exactly what I was suggesting.
>
> My other point was that we're not always going to change the English
> strings to make literal translations easy. If Gaim was written in German
> and you used German idioms, I wouldn't expect you to change it to make
> the English translation easier. I'd figure out what it meant and then
> translate it into something appropriate.

I think this is not only i18n/translation issue, it's about usability
issue. If developers and translators have to discuss so long as in
this thread, that means those strings should have some problems.

Since gaim becomes mainstream IM apps gradually, it's time to improve
usability of string, even for US users which don't need the
translation.

>
> > 1) What means "you can see the butterflies mating" in src/gtkaccount.c:=
1297?
> >
> >    Answer:
>
> It's in a callback function that's registered as a pop-up handler for
> the port entry field in proxy options. Right-click on that field and
> you'll see the string. I'd assume easter egg. (NOTE: I had never seen
> this code before I looked at it just now.)
>
> If I was a translator, I probably wouldn't bother with it. Or, I'd take
> the opportunity to translate it to a cutesy saying in my language and
> enjoy the fact that I know there's a "hidden" string which I created.
>
> > 2) Why is Syd Logan a "lazy bum" in AUTHORS and in src/gtkdialogs.c:100=
?
> >
> >    Answer:
>
> I've always assumed inside joke.
>
> > 3) What is a "TOC host" in src/protocols/toc/toc.c?
> >
> >    Answer:
>
> Without looking, I'd assume a server for the TOC protocol.
>
> > 4) What does "SSL Handshake Failed" in src/protocols/irc/irc.c:432 and =
src/protocols/jabber/jabber.c:451 mean?
> >
> >    Answer:
>
> The process of negotiating an SSL connection failed. This is standard
> technical jargon.
>
> > 5) What is a "Channel HMAC" in src/protocols/silc/chat.c?
> >
> >    Answer:
>
> Without looking, I'm not sure if channel means chat or a communications
> channel (the connection). But HMAC is a standard technical term.
>
> ... Looking at the source, it's immediately clear (given Channel Topic
> is right there) that this is talking about a "channel" as in "chat".
>
> > 6) What does ""You feel a disturbance in the force..." in plugins/psych=
ic.c means?
>
> Feels like a Star Wars quote to me and Google confirms that. (NOTE: I'm
> probably in the minority of Americans here, but I've never seen any of
> the Star Wars movies.)
>
> If you knew, or could find, the translation of that quote in Star Wars
> for your language, that might work. Otherwise, this type of cultural
> reference is hard to deal with. If you can't think of a fun cultural
> reference that users of your translation will understand, I'd suggest
> using a translated version of something boring like, "Your psychic
> powers say you are about to receive a message." or something.
>
> > 7) Why Ethan calls the psychic plugin a stalker plugin?
> >
> >    "If we're going to support crappy stalker-enablement plugins, we sho=
uld at least make an effort to ensure that they don't require C99."
> >
> >    (from  svn log plugins/psychic.c)
> >
> >    Answer:
>
> Because it pops up a conversation window when someone starts typing to
> you have not previously had a conversation open. There's hardly a
> legitimate need for that -- you'll be getting the message in a few
> seconds when they send it.
>
>
> I can't find any good documentation on adding "translation comments" to
> gettext. I see them mentioned all over the place, especially in
> reference to .po files, but I don't know how to add them. Granted, I
> haven't looked that hard. If someone has a reference, we could add a
> translation comment to #6 and maybe #2.
>
> Richard
>
>
>
>
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