Re: Remove debug strings from pos

[Danilo Segan <dsegan gmx net>]

"Elros Cyriatan" <cyriatan@fastmail.fm> writes:
>
> Ok, here it goes ;-). My criterium would be: is this information meant
> for end-users/system-administrators or people who work on the code? When it's
> about errors: if the error can be solved by turning something on or off
> or changing a configuration file (something a non-programmer system
> administrator can do), I'd translate it.

I must repeat: I don't see how is it relevant if someone is a
programmer or not?

> If it's an error in the program that a user can't do anything about
> besides reporting it, it's most useful if it's in English (and the user won't
> necessarily have to understand it). I don't really see a benefit to
> translating such messages: the target group already needs to understand English for
> other reasons (understanding English comments in source code, communication
> with other coders).

Using one own's language is not only about understanding.  I'm certain
that most of the translators of GTP can handle English well enough to
understand what the programs are doing.

Now try to guess why are they translating?  Yes, some may do it for
some Greater Cause, but others are doing it because they enjoy seeing
their programs in their own language.

So, it's not only about understanding, it's about *preference*. And I
do prefer to have all what my computer says put out in Serbian, not
English, even though I think of myself as a fair English user.


Of course, it's essential to help translators reduce their workload,
because we do want most of the software translated for the rest.

Current approach allows translators to choose themselves what to
focus on.  Unfortunately, this is not always as easy to do.  My idea
would be to add another "system" flag to PO files (in the ranks of
fuzzy, c-format, ...), and let editors interpret that, eg.

  #, low-priority, c-format
  msgid "This is number %d."
  msgstr ""

This is straightforward, but would require someone to tag messages in
this way (a maintainer, or someone else).  I imagine this can at
first be used only where it is most significant (where there are
large number of "low priority" messages).

Since I want this to be something to be resolved outside of GNOME, I
guess translation-i18n@lists.sf.net is where any further discussion
should go.

Cheers,
Danilo