[Localization] Localization for Haiti (Kreyol)

[Edward Cherlin]

On Feb 20, 2008 6:54 AM, Marvin Demuth <marvindemuth at sbcglobal.net> wrote:
> Jude Augusma has agreed to help with Creole translations.

Byenvini, Jude.  Koman ou ye?

> Jude
> is very knowledgeable with Windows technology, but has no Linux
> experience or programming experience.  He is very experienced with
> Creole translating and was educated in Haitian schools.  As a starting
> point, I have suggested that he join this list.  Can anyone mentor
> him to get him started?

I'm always available for helping people get going. Besides, although I
asked Sayamindu to create the Kreyól project on Pootle, I shouldn't be
its administrator. I think I know a few dozen words of Kreyòl that
aren't standard French, and I don't know how to pronounce them
correctly. %-[

Jude, let's discuss offline. I can point you to various resources on
the Wiki and dev subdomains, especially Pootle. What other questions
do you have?

> Walter has mentioned the possible use of a special "Canadian-French"
> keyboard layout.  We have the link --
> (http://wiki.laptop.org/go/French_Canadian#krey.C3.B2l_keyboard_layout).

I see Canadian French (legacy) and Canadian French (Dvorak) in Gnome
Keyboard Preferences. Also Canadian Multilingual.

Here is Canadian French (legacy), which is significantly different
from standard French AZERTY.

° 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 - =
    q w e r t y u i o p ^ç à
     a s d f g h j k l ; è
      z x c v b n m , . é

° ! " # $ % ? & * ( ) _ +
    Q W E R T Y U I O P ^Ç À
     A S D F G H J K L : È
      Z X C V B N M ' . É

> Is there any possibility that a prototype is available for Jude to test?

Jude can start with a Live CD of any Linux distribution, including the
OLPC one. http://wiki.laptop.org/go/Live_Cd

> If not, can anyone give Jude more information on the keyboard than is
> available from looking at the sketch.

I can provide the other keyboard maps on request. Gnome keyboard
preferences will show a map of any installed keyboard layout.

> Jude used computers for 10 plus
> years in Haiti, and was never exposed to keyboards other than standard
> English keyboards.  He knows how to produce the special characters for
> Creole and French with the standard English keyboard.

There isn't a standard English keyboard for Linux, or for Windows or
Mac either. English keyboards are different in every country. Jude,
which layouts have you used? US English, International (with dead
keys), US English Alternative International, or something else? If you
don't know I can step you through the process of identifying keyboard
layouts on various computers.

> Jude would be a
> good person for testing the keyboard.

Jude, do you have a Linux installation to work on? If not, we can help
you to get a Live CD to run tests on, or even to install Linux on your
Windows computer in various ways (dual-boot, CoLinux, emulation).

> I can make a G1G1 XO Laptop available to Jude.  If there is better model
> for him to use, then I could swap the standard one for the better one.

Thank you. I assume that providing Jude with an XO set up for Spanish
or Mongolian would not help. What other alternatives are there?

> Jude is competent and is willing to help.  We need to get him on the
> right track from the start.

Indeed. What do you think, Jude?

> Marvin

BTW:
* http://wikisource.org/wiki/Paj_Prensipal:Krey%C3%B2l_Ayisyen  Paj
Prensipal:Kreyòl Ayisyen
* http://ht.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paj_Prensipal
* http://www.potomitan.info/vedrine/materials.html
* "Haiti Mailing List" (haiti at lists.webster.edu)
* CreoList (CreoList at ling.su.se)
* REKA (Rezo Entènèt Kreyolis Ayisyen) forum. [I can't find a link.]
* http://hometown.aol.com/ewvedrine/Dizan.htm
DIZAN RECHÈCH AK PIBLIKASYON KREYÒL
(1990 - 2000)
A complete bibliography of the works of
E. W. VEDRINE
-- 
Edward Cherlin
End Poverty at a Profit by teaching children business
http://www.EarthTreasury.org/
"The best way to predict the future is to invent it."--Alan Kay