Re: Words need better/agreement on translation

[Youcef Rabah Rahal <rahal at arabeyes dot org>]

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Salam,

On Thursday 06 May 2004 11:50, Abdulaziz Al-Arfaj wrote:

[...]

> I am extremely, strongly, and categorically against
> any translation of 1 English word into 2 Arabic words
> for several reasons:
> a. Users hate it.
> b. Because then its not a translation but an
> explanation.
> c. It makes sentences sound more mechanical and less
> natural.
> d. They are much harder to do tasrifs on.

Yeah, I do agree (partly). But only if there's a word that can really be
considered as an appropriate translation. As you know, sometimes it's hard to
find such words. Your example about 'script' attests of that :-) But for your
arguments here's what I think:

a- I don't think users hate that. Two words are used in many cases in the
Arabic language. Aboveall for 'composed words' from European languages (but
not only). Think about: biology, geology, psychology... (sorry, I can think
only about sciences now :-) Widget is in that case (it's a composed word).

b- No. Read above. Unless you start using sentences ;)

c- Well, kind of. But only if you are not used to the word. I don't think that
a sentence with علم النّفس is mechanical.

d- You mean it's _much_ harder to change عنصر تخطيطي
to عناصر تخطيطية than كائن to كائنات or قطعة to قطع ? :-)

AFAIC, you can use any of the words you like, until we decide a definitive
translation from common_words.po.

Salam,

- --
Youcef R. Rahal
Arabeyes.org
http://www.arabeyes.org/~rahal
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