[Localization] The virtue of being fuzzy... or what should be translateted in border cases

[Alexander Todorov]

Andi wrote:
> Hello List,
> 
> On Tue Dec 4 17:41:18 EST 2007, Bert Freudenberg wrote:
> 
> ...
>>  IMHO we are obliged to invent native terms for any tech phrases. Our
>>  target group are kids just learning to read.
>>
>>  Having English terms sprinkled throughout the experience is terrible.
>>  I see this with my own kids, who struggle a lot when reading stuff
>>  off product packaging, ads, etc.
>>
>>  And even although those English terms seem very appropriate and
>>  untranslatable to us adults, and using native terms seems very
>>  awkward, it is only a question of familiarization with these new,
>>  native terms.
> 
> Do the majority of the translator and/or decision-maker think that using
> native terms as much as possible is the way the OLPC-XO translations
> should be ?
> 
I've asked this question on a local Bulgarian translations list.
We agreed to follow all rules/guides as with other software 
translations. The reasons of that wrere:
1) Kids are smart and they learn quickly
2) Won't lead to confusion when kids start using "normal"/non XO computers
3) Leads to consistency in translations and allows different translators 
to work on the projects (e.g. no other special rules or exceptions).

> I fine with that, but I think it should then homogeneous with all
> translations.
> 
> And what is about "official" assimilated english terms like e.g. "Chat" ?
> According to the "Duden", a official dictionary like the Oxford English
> Dictionary, the english term "Chat" has been accepted as such in the
> german language.
> 

Hmm, as per that: Especially in German they have lots of English words 
accepted as is. I will personally keep with a local terms where possible 
and feasible and use English ones (transliterated in local language) 
where there is no local term/can't be created or the English term is 
wide spread. e.g. OK is already wide spread in Bulgaria and translators 
have agreed that this should stay, not be translated.

Greetings,
Alexander.