I have updated the "Variables and symbols in the UI files" part of the "UI and Help files Content Guide"

l10n
#1

Hi Jesper, *,

Is <FILENAME> really a variable that will be replaced with something?
IIRC it's shown to user literally, and thus should be translated...

Best regards,
Mihkel
Estonian team

#2

Hi Mihkel and everybody else,

I have not changed anything in that sentence, and I actually wondered
something similar when I saw it.

It is only mentioned once in the entire UI for 4.4, in this complete string:

<FILENAME>

Here is the search:
https://translations.documentfoundation.org/da/libo_ui/translate/#search=<FILE&sfields=source&soptions=exact

In Norwegian Bokmål and German it has been translated. In Swedish, French
and Danish it has not been translated.

It does not make much sense to put the string <FILENAME> up on Pootle for
translation, if it should not be translated, so that speaks for that it
should actually be translated – contrary to the instructions on
https://wiki.documentfoundation.org/UI_and_Help_files_Content_Guide#Variables_and_symbols_in_the_UI_files
.

Could someone knowledgeable on the subject tell us whether it should be
translated or not?

Jesper

#3

On the other hand, there are variables like

<FIELDNAME>
<FIELDNAME1>
<FIELDNAME2>
<FIELD>
<LOGICOPERATOR>
<VALUE>
etc.

that really should not be translated.

This search reveals a few of them:
https://translations.documentfoundation.org/da/libo_ui/translate/#search=<F&sfields=source&soptions=exact&unit=28753831

So maybe the wiki should have said:

• *<X>*, where X is a word in uppercase letters, is *normally* a variable
which should not be translated. Some examples are <FIELDNAME>, <FIELD>,
<LOGICOPERATOR> and <VALUE>.
• *<FILENAME>* is NOT a variable, though, and you should translate it!

But let us get some input from people with knowledge on the subject. :slight_smile:

Jesper

#4

Hi,

On the other hand, there are variables like

<FIELDNAME>
<FIELDNAME1>
<FIELDNAME2>
<FIELD>
<LOGICOPERATOR>
<VALUE>
etc.

that really should not be translated.

This search reveals a few of them:
https://translations.documentfoundation.org/da/libo_ui/translate/#search=<F&sfields=source&soptions=exact&unit=28753831

So maybe the wiki should have said:

• *<X>*, where X is a word in uppercase letters, is *normally* a variable
which should not be translated. Some examples are <FIELDNAME>, <FIELD>,
<LOGICOPERATOR> and <VALUE>.
• *<FILENAME>* is NOT a variable, though, and you should translate it!

But let us get some input from people with knowledge on the subject. :slight_smile:

It is hard to give rules when it comes to LibreOffice, which uses a
mix of technologies. <FILENAME> in backgroundpage.ui is a placeholder,
it will be replaced by the actual filename. It does not matter what
you write there (translated or not), it will be replaced. So it would
be better to make <FILENAME> non-translatable in the source (I've just
done it), and do not confuse translators with exceptions.

Regards,
Andras

#5

Thank you for the clarification, Andras!

While it may be hard to make rules for these things in LibreOffice, I
believe we as translators do need some rules (I know that I do). So that is
why I am trying to improve the existing rules, even though it may be a hard
task. Also, being a new translator, I probably have a fresh look at things,
which I would like to use to improve the existing internal documentation if
possible.

Jesper

#6

Hi Jesper,

Thank you for the clarification, Andras!

While it may be hard to make rules for these things in LibreOffice, I
believe we as translators do need some rules (I know that I do). So that is
why I am trying to improve the existing rules, even though it may be a hard
task. Also, being a new translator, I probably have a fresh look at things,
which I would like to use to improve the existing internal documentation if
possible.

Thanks for improving the guide. I wrote it for new comers and it's great
that you correct it where it was not precise enough.

Kind regards
Sophie

#7

Thanks, Sophie!

Kind regards,
Jesper