Re: full_wordlist.po progrees

[Isam Bayazidi <bayazidi at arabeyes dot org>]

On Sunday 26 January 2003 20:59, Ossama Khayaat wrote:
> Assalamou Alaikom,
> First of all, I'd like to apologize for not being so able to
> work hardly on the full_wordlist.po file as I wanted to.
> This is because of my business of teaching. Anyway,
> I have several thought I thoughts and questions I have
> about the process.

Osama .. you've done great so far .. Thank you for the great efforts ..

> 1- Is this file a template used for all translation projects
> so that they have to translate it to their language and use
> it as the standard dictionary file?

you can say that this file is multiperpose .. it can be used for translation 
projects, and for QaMoose (the online Dict) and for other dictionary programs 
in Linux.. and windows developers are free to use it for their Open Source 
programs in Windows :-)


> 2- Several times I found words that are non existant (at
> least in the dictionaries of the Internet) and couldn't find
> them using www.onelook.com, which is (IMHO) the best
> place to search since it looks up alomst all the dictionaries
> on the Internet. So, what I did almost always is add words
> similar to these words that are not previously added so is
> this ok?

Adding new words to the Word list is very needed .. you are doing a great 
Auditing effort for the list ..  


> 3- When there is a word that might have several meanings,
> or that is not self-describing, I (sometimes) put it as:
>
> -- full_wordlist.po quote --
> msgid "Ainu"
> msgstr "فرد من الأيْنو"
> "لغة الأيْنو"
> "جماعة من النازحين إلى الأرخبيل الياباني"
> -- full_wordlist.po quote --
>
> Is this the correct way. I tried to find out but couldn't find
> any thing about this.

I prefere putting only one translation for it.. as if this file is used for 
Automatic "rough" translation for interface and so .. one translation would 
do .. try to go with the most common one .. or the one that is connected to 
the technical use .. 

> I think it's much better to include several meanings at least
> for obscure words that might have different meanings and/or
> uses, so what do you think?

Repeating the same msgid would case a faulty PO file .. and having more than 
one meaning at the msgstr part would make the file less usable for rough 
translation .. so I will go with only one translation .. this is my opinion 
.. what do others think ?


> 4- When I find a word that could (again IMHO) be not so
> accurate, I will replace it or add to it: Example:
>
> -- full_wordlist.po quote --
> msgid "Airway"
> msgstr "الحنجرة"
> "ممرّ هوائي"
> "خطّ جوّي"
> -- full_wordlist.po quote --


Go with replacing instead of adding.. 


> 5- A confusing thig is the use of Alef-Lam at the start of each
> verb or term. This is sometimes there and sometimes not.
> Don't you think it's better to just remove it except for names?
> Also, the way verbs and their derivatives are translated is either
> wrong or at least not consistent: Example:
>
> -- full_wordlist.po quote --
> msgid "Kill"
> msgstr "القتل"
> msgid "Killing"
> msgstr "القتل"
> msgid "Swim"
> msgstr "السباحة"
> msgid "Read"
> msgstr "إقرأ"
> -- full_wordlist.po quote --

I think that the ALEF and LAM should not be used in the translation.. As there 
is a slight chance that this file can be used for creating a reversed file .. 
an arabic-to-english one .. so I prefere having a consistant way to deal with 
it .. that is to drop the ALEF LAM


> These ideas are in my mind now, and I might have other as well
> when I'm working on it.
> The whole idea is that when we do something we want it to be as
> accurate as possible. Also, we need to make Arabic more appealing
> in a way that we could use simple and easy terms. For example,
> whey use إنقُر when I can use إضغط?? or زبون for client and not مستخدم
> to make it simpler and more appealing... and the list goes on.

It seems that you got all your hands and head into translation :-) and your 
thoughts about the use of more easy and familiar terms are great !!


> There are just some thoughts and Ideas, and I hope I will get a detailed
> feedback or maybe I can (with your help) start a how to for the
> translation of this file which needs more people to get involved.
>
> Also, if necissary, I'm able to put a simple prize for those who help and
> provide them with copies of what ever flavour of Linux that can be
> downloaded from the Internet, copied on CDs and delivered to their
> country FREE :)

Way to go :-) I hope that this will urge people to join in :-) I join with 
Osama with offering CDs .. for those who start working in Arabic Translation 
I will send them Linux Distribution CDs of their liking that are available 
here.. I hope that this will urge new comers to jump in ..


Yours
Isam Bayazidi