[Translators] Hebrew Translation

[fr33domlover]

On 2014-11-29
"Genghis Khan" <genghiskhan at gmx.ca> wrote:

> 
> I am very delighted about you contacting me on this matter.  I would
> appreciate you taking over the translation of Claws Mail, too, as long
> as you would not distort context (i.e. turning verb into adverb, e.g.
> copy into copying)


Actually I'm for using "copying" and not "copy". I really like the translations
of GNOME and some parts of XFCE and LXDE and I think they're the best
translations around. Mozilla, KDE, etc. are not as good. For example I don't
like KDE's use of gender. I prefer gender neutrality.

Here's a (controversial) idea: Since Claws can have i18n in a separate package,
why don't we create 2 separate PO files? One would be in the KDE style and one
in the GNOME style to which I'm used (and I believe is superior).


You see , using verbs like "copy" creates tons of inconsistency and it's harder
to the eyes. You have these on the same toolbar:

שליחה
טיוטה
שבץ
ספח
כתובת

Do you notice how some are verbs in one form, some in another, and some are
nouns? I want to try something more elegant like I do with GNOME.


 
> It appears that Claws Mail uses an older tree widget. See Sylpheed for
> a proper tree (though, I like the resize effect - black line - of Claws
> Mail tree than the one of Sylpheed - content changing), but still, there
> is, at least, ome tree widget in Claws Mail that is RTL adaptable.
> 
> http://www.thewildbeast.co.uk/sylpheed-claws/bugzilla/show_bug.cgi?id=2795
> http://www.thewildbeast.co.uk/sylpheed-claws/bugzilla/show_bug.cgi?id=2836
> http://www.thewildbeast.co.uk/sylpheed-claws/bugzilla/show_bug.cgi?id=3095

I'll take a look sometime.

> > As to the first, here's the story. I suggested to make the Hebrew
> > translation, but I was told someone nicknamed GenghisKhan was already
> > making one. When I tried that translation, I noticed strange things.
> > For example, "Compose" is translated as "הלחנה" which means "compose
> > music" and is not suitable for "compose message".
> > 
> 
> I like הלחנה more, but I agree with you.

Sure, but it's incorrect. I always prefer to use the existing words that make
sense. It must work well for new non-technical users (imho).

> > Many examples like this exist there, so I decided to ask whether
> > maybe the translator's native language is not Hebrew. I was told he
> > stands behind his translation and that's fine - but I'd like to have
> > a chance to propose my own too.
> > 
> 
> I did wrote that I use words that are not commonly used.

As long as people understand. In some other application you translated, Gigolo,
I saw the word מגשר־חזיתי in the About window. What the hack is מגשר־חזיתי?
Nobody would have any idea. I needed a few long seconds to understand it
probably means frontend. But it may be a bit too much - we should target the
simple users, not uourselves, the translators, who may be amused by new
words :-)

> > Here's what I suggest: I will at some point (when a bit less busy)
> > make a PO file based on the current one, with my fixes, and send it
> > here so GenghisKhan can take a look and see if he likes it. If he
> > does - perfect, we can merge the changes. If not... well, at least
> > tell me why :-)
> > 
> 
> Please do; and please either follow Microsoft Windows guidelines
> whereas verbs are verbs and Window Title & Menu Item... are adverbs, as
> depicted in the links below:

Micros0ft Losedows is a proprietary OS, there's no way I'm using anything that
comes from them...

In the worst case, if Claws officially goes by KDE, I'll just make 1) PO file
with some words replaced with more simple ones but verbs unchanged, 2) same but
also with the overall style like my GNOME translations, which can be a separate
patch people can apply.

The one can be in Claws and the other can just be a patch. Personally, the
current style (no offense, I guess it's KDE rules) hurts my eyes and I can't
easily find things, so I'll probably prefer the patch.

> http://il.kde.org/hebrew/visualdict/
> http://il.kde.org/hebrew/guidelines/
> 
> Or in Android, KDE style.
> 
> Nowadays, KDE Hebrew is translated in masculine-only style (i.e. no
> arbitrary use of adverbs as suggested in above couple of links).

I think gender neutrality is a superior approach, that's why verbs (e.g.
"copy") are not used (instead I use "copying").

> > I already translated various apps and websites (or parts of them) to
> > Hebrew (especially ones maintained under GNOME, but also others), so
> > there's no problem on the technical side. I just want to help keep a
> > high level of Hebrew translation :-)
> > 
> 
> Great!
> 
> > (GenghisKhan - I don't in any way mean to offend. I just want to help
> > improve Claws and its translation. Let's work together on this.)
> > 
> 
> No way. The more translators, the better. The goal is to get more users
> to use either free operating systems or, at least, standard formats.


Great. I believe one translator per language is enough for Claws, and I'm glad
to see it has a maintainer for Hebrew. I thought I could be, before I realized
you already translated it :-)
I'll just send you POs when they're ready and you'll judge.

BTW I'm using LXDE and XFCE, i.e. not GNOME/KDE, and almost everything is in the
GNOME style. It's also the same translators as GNOME, so makes sense. So this
style may end up being consistent with much more software (although I do think
it's superior regardless, so maybe I'm biased).


> > --
> > fr33domlover
> > PGP key ID: 63E5E57D

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