ubuntu-manual team mailing list archive

[Craig Hrabal <crhrabal@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

On 05/28/2013 04:28 PM, Kevin Godby wrote:
> Hello, Hannie.
>
> On Tue, May 28, 2013 at 8:42 AM, Hannie Dumoleyn
> <lafeber-dumoleyn2@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> > There is no need to adjust English language expressions so that non-native
> > speakers understand. It is my duty as a translator to find out what a less
> > common expression means. I already felt stupid that I sent this question to
> > the mailing list.
> Actually, we should try to avoid idioms in the English manual because
> the manual hasn't been translated to all languages yet.  If the manual
> hasn't been translated to a person's native language yet but they
> speak a little English, they should still be able to read our manual.
>
> Avoiding idioms not only helps the translators but the large number of
> non-native English speakers.
>
> —Kevin
>   
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I would have to agree. Expressions like that aren't too far off from 
slang, and therefore only serve to confuse people. Phrases and 
expressions like this should be avoided, as there is no clear way to 
translate the expression into another language. The fact that you had to 
ask what a simple phrase meant sort of proves why it shouldn't be 
written in that way. When someone is trying to get help using Ubuntu, 
language barriers shouldn't be a source of difficulty for readers.

-Craig