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IsiXhosa Style Guide Contents What's New? .................................................................................................................................... 4 New Topics ................................................................................................................................... 4 Updated Topics ............................................................................................................................ 4 Introduction ...................................................................................................................................... 5 About This Style Guide ................................................................................................................ 5 Scope of This Document .............................................................................................................. 5 Style Guide Conventions .............................................................................................................. 5 Sample Text ................................................................................................................................. 6 Recommended Reference Material ............................................................................................. 7 Normative References ................................................................................................................. 7 Informative References ................................................................................................................ 7 Language Specific Conventions ...................................................................................................... 8 Country/Region Standards ........................................................................................................... 8 Characters ................................................................................................................................ 8 Date .......................................................................................................................................... 9 Time ........................................................................................................................................ 11 Numbers ................................................................................................................................. 13 Sorting ..................................................................................................................................... 16 Geopolitical Concerns ................................................................................................................ 19 Grammar, Syntax & Orthographic Conventions ......................................................................... 20 Adjectives ................................................................................................................................ 20 Articles .................................................................................................................................... 20 Capitalization .......................................................................................................................... 21 Compounds ............................................................................................................................. 21 Gender .................................................................................................................................... 23 Genitive ................................................................................................................................... 24 Modifiers ................................................................................................................................. 24 Nouns ...................................................................................................................................... 24 Prepositions ............................................................................................................................ 25 Pronouns ................................................................................................................................. 26 Punctuation ............................................................................................................................. 27 Singular & Plural ..................................................................................................................... 29 Split Infinitive ........................................................................................................................... 29 Subjunctive ............................................................................................................................. 29 Symbols & Non-Breaking Spaces........................................................................................... 29 Syntax ..................................................................................................................................... 30 Verbs ....................................................................................................................................... 30 Word Order ............................................................................................................................. 31 Style and Tone Considerations .................................................................................................. 31 Audience ................................................................................................................................. 31 Style ........................................................................................................................................ 31 Tone ........................................................................................................................................ 32 Voice ....................................................................................................................................... 32 Localization Guidelines .................................................................................................................. 33 General Considerations ............................................................................................................. 33 Abbreviations .......................................................................................................................... 33 Accessibility ............................................................................................................................ 34 Acronyms ................................................................................................................................ 34 Applications, Products, and Features ..................................................................................... 35 Frequent Errors ....................................................................................................................... 36 Glossaries ............................................................................................................................... 36 Fictitious Information ............................................................................................................... 37 Recurring Patterns .................................................................................................................. 37 Standardized Translations ...................................................................................................... 37 Unlocalized Items.................................................................................................................... 37 Using the Word Microsoft ....................................................................................................... 37 Software Considerations ............................................................................................................ 38 User Interface ......................................................................................................................... 38 Messages ................................................................................................................................ 41 Keys ........................................................................................................................................ 46 Document Translation Considerations ....................................................................................... 50 Titles ....................................................................................................................................... 51 Copyright ................................................................................................................................. 51 What's New? Last Updated: February 2011 New Topics The following topics were added: n/a Updated Topics The following topics were updated: n/a 4 Introduction This Style Guide went through major revision in February 2011 in order to remove outdated and unnecessary content. It contains information pertaining to all Microsoft products and services. About This Style Guide The purpose of this Style Guide is to provide everybody involved in the localization of IsiXhosa Microsoft products with Microsoft-specific linguistic guidelines and standard conventions that differ from or are more prescriptive than those found in language reference materials. These conventions have been adopted after considering context based on various needs, but above all, they are easy to follow and applicable for all types of software to be localized. The Style Guide covers the areas of formatting, grammatical conventions, as well as stylistic criteria. It also presents the reader with a general idea of the reasoning behind the conventions. The present Style Guide is a revision of our previous Style Guide version with the intention of making it more standardized, more structured, and easier to use as a reference. The guidelines and conventions presented in this Style Guide are intended to help you localize Microsoft products and materials. We welcome your feedback, questions and concerns regarding the Style Guide. You can send us your feedback via the Microsoft Language Portal feedback page. Scope of This Document This Style Guide is intended for the localization professional working on Microsoft products. It is not intended to be a comprehensive coverage of all localization practices, but to highlight areas where Microsoft has preference or deviates from standard practices for IsiXhosa localization. Style Guide Conventions In this document, a plus sign (+) before a translation example means that this is the recommended correct translation. A minus sign (-) is used for incorrect translation examples. In Microsoft localization context, the word term is used in a slightly untraditional sense, meaning the same as e.g. a segment in Trados. The distinguishing feature of a term here is that it is translated as one unit; it may be a traditional term (as used in terminology), a phrase, a sentence, or a paragraph. References to interface elements really only refer to translatable texts associated with those interface elements. Example translations in this document are only intended to illustrate the point in question. They are not a source of approved terminology. Always check for approved translation in the Microsoft terminology database. 5 Sample Text Mhla kwamiselwa uMfundisi uXhanti njeMfundisi webandla iSt. Johns kwingingqi yaseMfuleni: ngu-L.S. Martins Esixekweni saseMfuleni ngomhla wama-21 Matshi 2011, ibe kukuchongwa ngesininzi nangembeko uMfundisi uXhanti Cingo ohlala kwa-7 Chicago Close, Ikwezi park, Khayelitsha, 7784. Abafuna ukudibana naye ngamaxesha kaxakeka bangaqhagamshelana naye kwezi nombolo zilandelayo: Umnxeba – 021 637 5455; Iseli – 082 0008976. Umfundisi lo ufunde kwiYunivesithi yaseRhodes, waphumelela isidanga sobugqirha kwiziBhalo eziNgcwele (iThiyoloji). Nanjengomntu ebekhona kulo msitho kwaye ethe ntsho amahlo, ebinza ngawo kumatile-tile nemitopo yaloo mini, esenziwa zizicukujeje neenjengela zasemfundweni enomsila, kubekwa umfo ngamawabo, ndithe ndakunikwa ithuba ngabasemagunyeni lokubhekisa ilizwi kule nceku, ndeva kusithi mandithi njengembongi yomthonyama: Aa! Zimmisele! Aa! Zimmisele! Aa! Zimmisele! Zimmisele iinceku zeNkosi Nam bendikho; Zimmisele izicaka zikaMdali; Nam bendikho; Zimmisele izihandiba zakwaLizwi; Nam bendikhona; Ahó-ó-ó-ó-ó! Ahó-ó-ó-ó-ó Ahóóhó-ó-ó-ó-ó! Hohani, zizwe, hohani, zizwe Ndiza kuthetha ngoMfundisi onguGqirha-rha-rha-rha-rhaa! Qabela‟ eqongeni, qabel‟ eqongeni, mqholorha ndini! Hohani, zizwe, ndithi hohani niphulaphule! Yiyo loo nt‟ int‟ enkulu unomqwaz‟ emfene! Yiyo loo nt‟ umthakath‟ abhinq‟ imithaka! Ngungub‟ obugqirha ayilolanga, Lona lothiwa nayimiqhathwana namananasana, Owoyambatha ngowobil‟ esoma, Ebilel‟ ukuze kuphil‟ abany‟ abantu. 6 Ngungubo-ndwe ngumweba wezikhakhamela Ngemisebenz‟ ebonwa ngabantu ingqinakale Leliba-a-a! Leliba-a-a-a! Isungulwe ngomhla we-11 kuEpreli 2011 - eKapa ngentsimbi yesi-2 emini. st Source: Luvuyo Martins‟ creation based on S.C Satyo‟s book, Igrama noncwadi lwesiXhosa Ibanga lesi-9 1 Edition Via Afrika. Recommended Reference Material Use the IsiXhosa language and terminology as described and used in the following publications. Normative References These normative sources must be adhered to. Any deviation from them automatically fails a string in most cases. When more than one solution is allowed in these sources, look for the recommended one in other parts of the Style Guide. 1. Add siXhosa National Language Body (2005). Revised Spelling And Orthography Rules: IsiXhosa Pretoria. The Pan South African Language Board. 2. Pan South African Language Board (2008). Imigaqo Yokubhalwa Nokupelwa Kolwimi LwesiXhosa. Pretoria. 3. National Language Service, (2005) Information and Communication Technology Terms For School Subjects. Pretoria. Department of Arts and Culture. 4. National Language Service, (2005) Multilingual Terminology for Information Communication Technology – 1st Edition. Pretoria. Department of Arts and Culture. Informative References These sources are meant to provide supplementary information, background, comparison, etc. 1. Pan South African Language Board (2008). Imigaqo Yokubhalwa Nokupelwa Kolwimi LwesiXhosa. Pretoria. 2. South African Translators‟ Institute (1997) Language Facilitation and Development in Southern Africa. Pretoria. 3. Mini, B.M., Mfaxa, X.T., Tshabe S.L. et al (eds) (2004) The Greater Dictionary of IsiXhosa Vol. 2. Alice. Fort Hare University. st 4. Satyo, S.C., Igrama noncwadi lwesiXhosa Ibanga lesi-9 1 Edition Via Afrika. 7 Language Specific Conventions This part of the style guide contains information about standards specific to IsiXhosa. Country/Region Standards Characters Country/region South Africa Lower-case characters a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i, j, k, l, m, n, o, p, q, r, s, t, u, v, w, x, y, z Upper-case characters A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z Characters in caseless scripts knowing microsoft software empowers people daily life / ukwazi isoftware kamicrosoft kuxhobisa ubomi bemihla ngemihla babantu. Extended Latin characters IsiXhosa does not use Latin characters except using the Latin numbers as they are, e.g. I II III IV V and son. Note on alphabetical order Alphabetical order is not necessarily indicative of sorting order. Total number of characters 26 Unicode codes A (0041); a (0061); B (0042); b (0062); C (0043); c (0063); D (0044); d (0064); E (0045); e (0065); F (0046); f (0066); G (0047); g (0067); H (0048); h (0068); I (0049); i (0069); J (004a); j (006a); K (004b); k (006b); L (004c); l (006c); M (004d); m (006d); N (004e); n (006e); O (004f); o (006f); P (0050); p (0070); Q (0051); q (0071); R (0052); r (0072); S (0053); s (0073); T (0054); t (0074); U (0055); u (0075); V (0056); v (0076); W (0057); w (0077); X (0058); x (0078); y (0079); Z (005a); z (007a) Notes IsiXhosa adopts from other languages such as English. 8 Date Country/region South Africa Calendar/Era Christian / Common Era First Day of the Week Mvulo First Week of the Year Week starting on 1 eyoMqungu Separator - Default Short Date Format yyyy-MM-dd Example 2011-03-17 Default Long Date Format dd MMMM yyyy Example 17 ekaTshazimpuzi 2011 Additional Short Date Format 1 yy-MM-dd Example 11-03-17 Additional Short Date Format 2 dd/MM/yy or dd/MM/yyyy Example 17/03/11 or 17/03/2011 Additional Long Date Format 1 IsiXhosa adopts those of other languages, and therefore doesn‟t have its own such date. The English would then be: dd MMMM yyyy Example 08-06-2011 Additional Long Date Format 2 dd MMMM yyyy Example 08-06-2011 Leading Zero in Day Field for Short Date Format Yes Leading Zero in Month Yes 9 Field for Short Date Format No. of digits for year for Short Day Format 4 Leading Zero in Day Field for Long Date Format Yes Leading Zero in Month Field for Long Date Format Yes Number of digits for year for Long Day Format 4 Date Format for Correspondence Address, dd MMMM yyyy Example P.O Box 7 FortHare 5701 17 ekaTshazimpuzi 2011 Notes 1. Although Sunday is considered, by certain religious groups, as the first day of the week, there is a general and popular tendency to use Monday as the first day, e.g. in calendars as start of working week, etc. Again, in isiXhosa, the sequence of the naming system of the days of the week recognizes Monday as the first day and Tuesday as the second day, hence uMvulo – usuku lokuvula (Monday – the opening day) and uLwesibini – usukulwesibini (Tuesday – the second day). 2. n/a 3. n/a 4. n/a Abbreviations in Format Codes d is for day, number of d's indicates the format (d = digits without leading zero, dd = digits with leading zero, ddd = the abbreviated day name, dddd = full day name) M is for month, number of M's gives number of digits. (M = digits without leading zero, MM = digits with leading zero, MMM = the abbreviated name, MMMM = full name) y is for year, number of y's gives number of digits (yy = two digits, yyyy = four digits) 10 Time Country/region South Africa 24 hour format Yes Standard time format HH:mm:ss Standard time format example 03:24:12 Time separator colon : Time separator examples 03:24:12 Hours leading zero Yes Hours leading zero example 03:24:12 String for AM designator 01:20 am (kusasa) String for PM designator 01:20 pm (emva kwemini) Notes IsiXhosa uses full words, viz., kusasa (for morning or AM) and emva kwemini (for afternoon, or PM) and ngokuhlwa (for evening and night, or PM). Although in writing the short form, namely the digital form, of the hour, minutes and seconds is that of English, it must always be read as a full isiXhosa sentence. The numbers must be said in their isiXhosa names, never in English, e.g. i-9h30 kusasa = icala emva kwentsimbi yethoba kusasa. Days Country/region: South Africa Day Normal Form Abbreviation Monday UMvulo; prefixed with nga- in speech, resulting in NgoMvulo for On Monday IsiXhosa does not abbreviate, instead it adopts English abbreviations. (NB: initial vowel, u- and /n/ of ngomay be small letters when not in sentence positions where capitalization is necessary, like at start of statement, after a fullstop, in a title or heading, or in a list, etc) 11 Tuesday ULwesibini; NgoLwesibini n/a (Xhosa doesn‟t have abbreviations for days and months) Wednesday ULwesithathu; NgoLwesithathu n/a Thursday ULwesine; NgoLwesine n/a Friday ULwesihlanu; NgoLwesihlanu n/a Saturday UMgqibelo; NgoMgqibelo n/a Sunday ICawe; NgeCawe n/a First Day of Week: UMvulo (Monday) Is first letter capitalized?: Yes, and the second Yes. Both the first and the second letters are capitalized only if the name of the day is at the beginning of the sentence. However, the name of the day is somewhere but not at the beginning of the sentence, then the second letter is the one being capitalized. In fact, the second letter is always capital. Notes: n/a Months Country/region: South Africa Month Full Form Abbreviated Form Long Date Form January eyoMqungu n/a n/a February eyoMdumba n/a n/a March eyoKwindla n/a n/a April ekaTshazimpuzi n/a n/a May ekaCanzibe n/a n/a June eyeSilimela n/a n/a July eyeKhala n/a n/a August eyeThupha n/a n/a September eyoMsintsi n/a n/a October eyeDwarha n/a n/a November eyeNkanga n/a n/a 12 December eyoMnga n/a n/a Is first letter capitalized?: Yes Notes: There are no standardized indeginous Xhosa months‟ abbreviations. However, some people are using them only when they are using transliterated or borrowed versions; for example:- January – Janyuwari, etc. in different versions under no scientific or standardized bases. Numbers Phone Numbers Country/re International gion Dialing Code Area Codes Number of Digits Separator Used? – Area Codes Number of Digits Digit Groupings – – Domestic Domestic South Africa Yes 10 +27 3 Space 021 808 9097 Country/re Number of Digit Number of Digits Digit gion Digits – Local Groupings – – Mobile Groupings – Local Mobile Number of Digits Digit Groupings – – International International South Africa +27 827385302 10 021 808 9097 10 0827385302 +27 82 738 5302 Notes: Area codes are sometimes indicated in brackets, but this is no longer recommended. Numbers in isiXhosa adopt English version. In most cases the amaXhosa group have, due to mordenisation, adopted using English version when uttering the numbers to make the conversation easily understood by the receiver. However, this does not mean is always the case. It is mostly happening when there are more than one number to be mentioned by a speaker, then he/she switches to English version as Xhosa one are too long and confusing to it‟s own people. Addresses Country/region: South Africa Disclaimer: Please note that the information in this entry should under no circumstances be used in examples as fictitious information. Address Format: 1. Mnu. L.S. Martins 2. Stellenbosch University 3. 14 Murray Street 4. Stellenbosch 13 5. 7602 6. South Africa Example Address: Mnu Z.W. Saul Fort Hare University Private Bag X1415 Alice 5700 South Africa Local Postal Code Format: 7784 Notes: Instead of initials, first name may be used. PO box/Private bag number may be replaced by a street address. Postal code before city name or on line below city name. Country name required only when posted outside South Africa. Address is never translated in Xhosa Currency Country/region South Africa / Mzantsi Afrika Currency Name Rand / Irandi Currency Symbol R Currency Symbol Position Before the amount: R20,00 Positive Currency Format +R10 Negative Sign Symbol - (minus) Negative Currency Format -R Decimal Symbol , (comma) Number of Digits after Decimal 2 Digit Grouping Symbol space Number of Digits in Digit Grouping 3 Positive Currency Example +R100 14 Negative Currency Example -R100 ISO Currency Code n/a Currency Subunit Name n/a Currency Subunit Symbol n/a Currency Subunit Example n/a Digit Groups Country/region: South Africa Decimal Separator:,0,00 Decimal Separator Description: Comma Decimal Separator Example: 5,6 ; 75,05 Thousand Separator: Space Thousand Separator Description: Space Thousand Separator Example: 1 543,67 ; 1 765 234,987 Notes: IsiXhosa follows English in this regard. Measurement Units Metric System Commonly Used?: Yes Temperature: Celsius Category English Translation Abbreviation Linear Measure Kilometer Ikhilomitha n/a (Xhosa adopts English version in all of these Abbreviations) Meter Imitha n/a Decimeter Idesimitha n/a Centimeter Isentimitha n/a Millimeter Imilimitha n/a Hectoliter Ihektholitha n/a Capacity 15 Mass English Units of Measurement Liter Ilitha n/a Deciliter Idesilitha n/a Centiliter Isentilitha n/a Milliliter Imililitha n/a Ton Ithani n/a Kilogram Ikhilogrem n/a Pound Iponti n/a Gram Igrem n/a Decigram Idesigrem n/a Centigram Isentigrem n/a Milligram Imiligrem n/a Inch I-intshi n/a Feet Unyawo n/a Mile Imayili n/a Gallon Igaloni n/a Notes: The British units of measurement are no longer (officially) used in South Africa, but the names and abbreviations are still known, mainly in a historical context. Xhosa doesn‟t have abbreviations of measurement units, but use the English ones. Percentages Percentages are like in English, e.g. 85 %. Sorting Sorting rules 1. Capital letters and lowercase letters are equal. No distinction is made between them. However, if two words are spelt exactly the same, but one begins with a capital letter, that one should appear first. 2. It is much easier to sort by the first occurring letter of a word, rather than the first stem-letter. This is recommended, except in the case of proper names. 3. Where proper names are preceded by some prefixes, the first letter of the actual name must be used for sorting, e.g. Y of iYunivesithiyaseFort Hare, etc. 4. Formatives, which are written with hyphens which indicate that they are not full words, come 16 before any word they may be identical with, in terms of the sounds/letters forming them, e.g. aba (prefix of class 2 nouns) and aba (demonstrative pronoun of class 2) 5. All formatives will precede full words that have initial parts with the same letters as the formatives. 6. Punctuation marks, like the exclamation mark, etc, do not have any influence on sorting, e.g. Aa! (in salutation for chiefs, etc), Phi? Nini? (in these adverbs which mean “where?” and “when?” respectively). 7. Non-alphabetical characters (i.e. symbols like @! #) sort before the letters of the alphabet. 8. Digits sort after the non-alphabetical characters and before the letters of the alphabet. Character sorting order A (65); a (97); B (66); b (98); C (67); c (99); D (68); d (100); E (69); e (101); F (70); f (102); G (71); g (103); H (72); h (104); I (73); i (105); J (74); j (106); K (75); k (107); L (76); l (108); M (77); m (109); N (78); n (110); O (79); o (111); P (80); p (112); Q (81); q (113); R (82); r (114); S (83); s (115); T (84); t (116); U (85); u (117); V (86); v (118); W (87); w (119); X (88); x (120); y (121); Z (90); z (122) @ 1 aa! ab aba ababhali amagama babo Examples of sorted words benu bethu biza bona buza cacisa cela cima cofa(press) 17 cula dlala ende entsha faka (insert) fakela (install) fumana funa gcina hlela ifayili ikhompyutha impuku (-)isicwangcisi Isicwangciso isigama isigcini-maxwebhu iprinta jonga kangaphi? khangela khetha (select) lungisa (edit) mamela ncamathelisa nceda 18 nini? nqomfa (click) odwa onke pela phanda phi? phinda qala qalisa qhawula sasaza sebenza sika susa tshintsha ukuhlela yahlula yisa zekelisa zoba Geopolitical Concerns Part of the cultural adaptation of the US-product to a specific market is the resolving of geopolitical issues. While the US-product should have been designed and developed with neutrality and a global audience in mind, the localized product should respond to the particular situation that applies within the target country/region. Sensitive issues or issues that might potentially be offensive to the users in the target country/region may occur in any of the following: 19 Maps Flags Country/region, city and language names Art and graphics Cultural content, such as encyclopedia content and other text where historical or political references may occur Some of these issues are relatively easy to verify and resolve: the objective should be for the localizer to always have the most current information available. Maps and other graphic representations of countries/regions and regions should be checked for accuracy and existing political restrictions. Country/region, city and language names change on a regular basis and need to be checked, even if previously approved. A thorough understanding of the culture of the target market is required for checking the appropriateness of cultural content, clip art and other visual representations of religious symbols, body and hand gestures. Guideline As country/region and city names can change, please use the most up-to-date IsiXhosa list for every release of your product. Grammar, Syntax & Orthographic Conventions This section includes information on how to apply the general rules of the isiXhosa language to Microsoft products and documentation. Adjectives In isiXhosa, adjectives should be handled in the following manner. Dog is chasing white goat. / Inja ileqa ibhokhwe emhlophe. In isiXhosa ana adjective can be at the beginning of the sentence followed by subject, e.g. Emhlophe ibhokhwe ileqwe yinja. / The white goat was chased by dog. Again adjective can be found in before the object, e.g. Inja ileqe emhlophe ibhokhwe. / The dog chased the white goat. Possessive adjectives The frequent use of possessives is a feature of English language. However in isiXhosa, possessive adjectives are handled – Us, we love our beautiful country. / Thina, sithanda ilizwe lethu elihle. Siyalithanda ilizwe lethu elihle thina. However, it becomes a problem in English when one tries to directly translate this sentence, e.g. We love country of ours that is beautiful us. Articles This section does not apply to IsiXhosa. 20 Capitalization In English headings, all nouns, pronouns, adjectives, verbs, adverbs, and subordinate conjunctions (such as “that,” “until,” and “which”) are capitalized. Please do not apply the same principle to isiXhosa headings. Instead, follow the normal isiXhosa capitalization rules. The same rule applies to software strings. Example: Government Departments have responsibility of development. / (+) AmaSebe kaRhulumente anoxanduva lophuhliso. Compounds Noun and verb compounds are a frequent word formation strategy in isiXhosa. Product user interfaces, online help, and documentation contain a number of such examples. However, not all languages use compounding to create complex word meanings. In isiXhosa, compounds are derived from: Noun + noun e.g. umnini + ikhaya = (+) umninikhaya Verb + noun e.g. jonga + ikhaya = (+) Jongikhaya Verb + verb e.g. khala +baleka = (+) ukhalebaleka Verb + adverb e.g. tsiba + entla = (+) uTsibentla The compounds are spelt as one word despite the fact that they are formed from different parts of speech. When a compound refers to a place name which has been derived from two parts of a bigger place name, the word is separated by a hyphen, e.g. uMzantsi-Afrika (South Africa). Generally, compounds should be understandable and clear to the user. Overly long or complex compounds should be avoided by verbally expressing the relationship among the various compound components. Keep in mind that unintuitive compounds are ultimately an intelligibility and usability issue. English examples IsiXhosa example Internet Accounts (+) Iiakhawunti zeIntanethi Logon script processing (+) Ukwenziwa kweskripthi sokuvula Workgroup Administrator (+) UMlawuli Weqela Lomsebenzi Internet News Server Name (+) IGama leSeva yeeNdaba zeIntanethi Note that English compounds are not necessarily compounds in isiXhosa. However, English compounds must be translated in a manner that is intelligible to the user and if isiXhosa translation is narrative in an undesired manner, the English word should be left as it is, with a proper isiXhosa prefix. 21 Compounds with Product or Component Names The compounds below contain both, product and component names. The product names are marked in red. Product names are usually trademarked and, therefore, must remain unchanged. Additions to a product or component name are added with a hyphen or, if that is not appropriate, you need to create a periphrastic construction. English example IsiXhosa example Windows password (+) Ipassword yeWindows Microsoft Word document (+) Uxwebhu lwakwaMicrosoft Word Microsoft SQL Server Database (+) Uvimba weenkcukacha weMicrosoft SQL Server Microsoft BackOffice product family (+) Ifemeli yemveliso yakwaMicrosoft BackOffice ActiveX Control (+) IActivex Control The principle for the translation of English compounds with product names is the same as the principle for the translation of English compounds explained in the previous paragraph. Note: The major product groups use the following unlocalized product portfolio names; these are considered product names and are always used without a hyphen or article in any language: 1. Microsoft Office System 2. Microsoft Windows Server System 3. Windows Mobile Compounds with Acronyms, Abbreviations or Numerals The compounds below contain either an abbreviation or a numeral followed by a component name. The abbreviation or numeral is marked in red in the English example. The isiXhosa example below show how such constructions should be translated. English example IsiXhosa example CD-ROM drive (+) Idrayivu ye-CD-ROM 2-D gridlines (+) Igrid-layini eyi-2-D 24 bit color value (+) Ibit color value ezingama-24 3.5 Floppy (+) Iflopi eyi-3.5 51/4-inch Floppy (+) Iflopi ezii-in ezi-51/4 22 35mm slides (+) Izilayidi ezingama-35mm Note: It is an acceptable principle that when a technical term of the source language does not have a straight equivalent in the target language and all other translation strategies are, for purposes of intelligibility, not applicable, the term should be used as it is in the interest of maintaining the meaning of the term to the user. (Also see the subchapter on English Terminology and the IsiXhosa Terminology for further comments in this respect). Note also that the translation of the compounds above is similar in every respect with the translation of other compounds in this chapter. Gender You should always recognize your audience‟s sensitivity to male and female stereotypes. Instead of stressing gender differences or reinforcing stereotypical distinctions between men and women, use language that is as neutral as possible. The neutral approach also applies to the localization of scenarios, comparisons, examples, illustrations, and metaphors. Create a balance when assigning roles and functions to men and women (active vs. passive roles, leading vs. secondary roles, technical vs. non-technical professions, and so on). Scenarios, pictures, metaphors, and comparisons should be based on areas and attributes common to both genders. Instead of using phrases which mention the two genders separately, use a general term that includes both genders such as “people,” “users,” or “persons.” Avoid writing sentences that refer to a single person whose gender is unknown. You can often avoid this situation by rewriting the sentence to make the subject plural. In cases where a reference to a single person is impossible to avoid, do not use “he or she,” “him or her,” or “his or hers.” The language in Microsoft products should sound natural, as if part of a spoken conversation. Also, generally avoid the use of slashes to combine both genders (although sometimes exceptions are made - see table below). Fortunately, we have no problem in representing he/she; him/her; his/hers in isiXhosa. We simply indicate this by means of a subject concord, viz, u- (singular) ba-/ni- (plural) Umfazi wam (my wife) sounds impolite and has to be replaced by inkosikazi yam. (-) Unyoko( your mother) sounds impolite especially when used by a younger person. This can also be regarded as an insult. A more polite way is (+) umama wakho( your mother) or (+) umama wakhe ( his or her mother) depending on the pronoun used. Use the following strategies to avoid the use of overtly gender-biased expressions: Linguistic method Example Context Use a Neutral noun (+) Umntu, inkokeli, inkokeli yeqela, ichule, umsebenzi, umsebenzisi Concept descriptions, explanations 23 Genitive This section does not apply to IsiXhosa. Modifiers This section does not apply to IsiXhosa. Nouns General considerations Many languages differentiate between different noun classes based on features such as animacy, shape, gender, and so on. English loan words must be integrated into the noun class system of your language. When faced with an English loan word not previously used in Microsoft products, consider the following options: Motivation: Does the English word have any formally motivated features that would allow a straightforward integration into the noun class system of your language? Analogy: Is there an equivalent isiXhosa term that could be used to justify the noun class the noun gets assigned to? Frequency: Is the term used in other technical documentation? If so, what noun class is it assigned to most often? The Internet may be a helpful reference here. If the choice of noun class is left up to you, ensure that you provide consistent translations within the Microsoft product. Please consult with your translation team lead and team members to decide what noun class to assign. However, integration of loan words into noun classes does not pose a challenge as such especially if the translator is familiar with the contexts in which the words have been used. If, for an example, the word “server” is not translated into isiXhosa in the following contexts, the proper approach would be to affix a proper morpheme to ensure that it fits a given context and remember that the morpheme is written as part of the word. English example IsiXhosa example Delete it from server. (+) Yisuse kwiserver Enter a password to log into the server (+) Faka ipassword ukungena kwiserver DNS cannot resolve the server IP address (+) I-DNS ayikwazi ukufumana idilesi ekwiserver ye-IP Verify the name of the server‟s certificate (+) Qinisekisa igama lesiqinisekiso seserver Please note that the word “server” has been used in the examples above as an illustration only, otherwise the word is phonologized as iseva in isiXhosa and is therefore translatable. 24 Inflection The examples below show how English loanwords inflect for number in isiXhosa. English example IsiXhosa example Clients (+) Iiklayenti Websites (+) Iiwebhusayithi Downloads (+) Amaxwebhu akhutshwe kwikhompyutha Proxys (+) Iiproksi Administrators (+) Abalawuli The above loanwords inflected for class 10 and 2 by adding the class 10 plural prefix ii- and the class 2 prefix aba-. Prepositions There are no prepositions in isiXhosa. In terms of their semantic, prepositions in isiXhosa function as locatives. However, prepositional phrases in English need to be translated according to their context; anglicisms should be avoided. The table below contains frequently used verbs and the prepositions that follow them. Please use this table as a reference. Please note that the prepositions which function as locatives in isiXhosa are not written separately from their locative nouns but as part of the nouns. US-English expression IsiXhosa expression Comment Migrate to (+) fudukela e… The locative formative e- forms part of the succeeding locative noun Migrate from (+) fuduka usuka e… import to (+) ngenisa e… import from (+) ngenisa esuka e… export to (+) thumela e… export from (+) thumela esuka e… update to (+) hlaziya iye kwi… Upgrade to (+) phucula iye kwi… 25 change to (+) guqulela kwi… click on (+) cofa kwi… Connect to (+) ngenisa kwi… welcome to ... (+) wamkelekile kwi… The locative applies to products The examples below contain frequently occurring noun phrases that are preceded by a preposition. Please use this table as a reference. Since the prepositions in isiXhosa function as locatives, they must be written as part of the nouns in all cases. US-English expression IsiXhosa expression In the toolbar (+) kwitoolbar on the tab (+) phezu kwetab on the menu (+) kwimenyu on the net (+) kwinethi on the Internet (+) kwi-Intanethi on the Web (+) Kwiwebhu on a web site (+) Kwiwebhusayithi on a web page (+) kwiphepha lewebhu Comment Pronouns Many error messages in English vary with regard to the use of articles, demonstrative and possessive pronouns. Please be consistent in how you deal with such variation in isiXhosa. However, due to the fact that isiXhosa does not have articles, but have noun class prefixes and that prefixes and their respective nouns are written conjunctively, the situation is different in isiXhosa. Nouns are rarely used without prefixes. The use of possessive pronouns also poses no challenges. English example IsiXhosa example Explanation File already exists (+) Ifayile seyikho In the majority of cases, nouns are preceded by prefixes in isiXhosa The file already exists This file already exists 26 Not enough memory to complete this operation. (+) Umthamo awanelanga ukugqibezela umsebenzi Windows Vista cannot start your system. If the problem persists, contact your network administrator. (+) UWindows Vista akakwazi ukuvula. Ukuba le ngxaki iyaqhuba, dibana nomlawuli wobuchwephesha Punctuation Comma A comma (,) is frequently used in sentences and in most cases it is wrongly applied. Please note that a comma is never preceded by a blank space and always followed by a blank space. It is used to list words or numbers and to join two complete sentences into a single sentence. These are the main functions of a comma in a written text. US English uses a period as the decimal separator, while many other languages use a comma. In isiXhosa, a comma is used. Do not use a space for this purpose as a space separates the numeral from the abbreviation. In paper sizes (the last example in the table below) the decimal separator and the abbreviation "in" for inches are kept, since the sizes are US norms and should be represented accordingly. English example IsiXhosa example 5.25 cm (+) ii-sm ezi-5.25 5 x 7.2 inches (+) ii-intshi ezi-5 x 7.2 Letter Landscape 11 x 8.5 in (+) iLetter Landscape ezii-in ezili-11 x 8.5 For thousands, English uses a comma while many other languages use a period (at Microsoft we normally do not use a space for this purpose, but we use a period instead to avoid wrapping problems). In isiXhosa a comma is used. English example IsiXhosa example 1,526 (+) 1,526 $ 1,526.75 (+) $1,526.75 Please adhere to the following guidelines when determining whether to include a period at the end of a list or table entry: 1. If bulleted items are complete sentences: each ends with a period. 2. If bulleted items continue an introductory clause: do not use a period. 27 3. For items in a list (chapters, sections, products, system requirements, etc.) that are neither sentences nor continuations of sentences, do not use a period. 4. If your translation is longer than the US text, or if you split your translation into several independent sentences, use common sense and insert a period if it improves the isiXhosa style. 5. Never put a period after just one word. The same convention applies to instruction lists, captions, and callouts. Colon A colon (:) is used to indicate that what follows it is an explanation or elaboration of what precedes it. Example: Doves; Sparrows; Chickens are all birds. / (+) Amahobe; Iingqabe; neeNkukhu ziintaka. Dashes and Hyphens Three different dash characters are used in English: Hyphen In isiXhosa there are no words in which hyphens are used, except for using English words when hyphenation rules are adopted. En Dash Repeated words and two joint words, which are always considered as one word, are always separated by dash in isiXhosa. Example: Different things. / (+) Izinto ezizintlobo-ntlobo. Example: Helicopter. / (+) Inqwelo-ntaka ([Inqwelo-ntaka, which literally means:- car/transport/cart-bird] is two words combined to make one) Em Dash IsiXhosa does not have Em Dashes, but rather adopts the English version only when using English words mixed with Xhosa in a sentence. Ellipses (Suspension Points) IsiXhosa does not have ellipses, but rather adopts the English version only when using English words mixed with Xhosa in a sentence. 28 Period A full stop (.) is mainly used at the end of a sentence expressing a statement. Example: Her mother said, “if you don‟t do your school work, you are going to fail”. / (+) Umama wakhe uthe, “ukuba awuwenzi umsebenzi wesikolo, uza kutshona”. Quotation Marks There are two types of quotation marks used in isiXhosa, namely, a double (“…”) and single („…‟) quotation marks. A double quotation mark is used to indicate direct speech and quotations. It is also used in cited words or phrases, e.g. the word “format” is used in different contexts. A single quotation is used to mark a quotation within a quotation. Please note that there is still no clarity or consistency with regard to the use of these quotation marks. Sometimes, single quotation marks are used instead of double quotation marks and vice versa. There are however, no strict rules with regard to the application of these quotation marks as long as consistency is maintained throughout in their application. It is worth mentioning that quotation marks are not commonly used recently in marking quotations as they are substituted by italics. Example: Mother said to him/her “Don‟t play with fire”. / (+) Umama uthe kuye “musa ukudlala ngomlilo”. Parentheses Example: One computer with two printers. / (+) Ikhompyutha enye eneeprinta ezimbini. Singular & Plural The noun classes determine plural fomartion. Example: One computer with two printers. / (+) Ikhompyutha enye eneeprinta ezimbini. Split Infinitive This section does not apply to IsiXhosa. Subjunctive Example: All politicians can not use Excel. / (+) Bonke abapolitiki abakwazi ukusebenzisa i-Excel. Symbols & Non-Breaking Spaces A symbol is something such as an object, picture, written word, sound, or particular mark that represents something else by association, resemblance, or convention. The non-breaking space is also known as a hard space or fixed space. In HTML non-breaking space is created by replacing the space with “ ”. 29 Use a non-breaking space (CTRL+SHIFT+SPACEBAR) in any abbreviation. If non-breaking spaces cannot be used (in Help files, for example) it is also acceptable to write these abbreviations without a space to avoid having one letter move to the beginning of the next line. Syntax In procedural text, which tells the user to perform certain actions in a certain number of steps, the order in which interface terms are to appear in the translation is usually top to bottom (for example, “menu,” “command,” “dialog box,” “dialog box controls”). This order reflects the sequence in which the action needs to be performed, and it should be maintained unless there are technical reasons preventing it. This convention is less important in normal body text, which is usually written in a more personal tone and less formal style, thus requiring the translator to be more creative. English example IsiXhosa example On the View menu, click Filter (+) Kwimenyu kaJonga, nqomfa uFilter On the Tools menu, click Internet Options, and click the Security tab (+) Kwimenyu kaTools, nqomfa kuInternet Options uze unqomfe kuSecurity tab Descriptors Use the descriptor (“menu,” “button,” “command,” and so on) only if the original text uses it or if it is needed for clarifying the position of a term in the interface. Sentences of the type “To do this and that, click on ...” You may come across procedural instructions of the type "To do this and that, click on ...". You should rearrange such sentences to first mention the action the user needs to do and then the purpose. The reason for putting the action first is that the action usually matters most to the user. However, sometimes it is important to stress the purpose of an action before describing it. In this case, you can start the sentence with the purpose, followed by the action. English example IsiXhosa example To open the shortcut menu, click View Source (+) Ukuvula undlela-mfutshane wemenyu, nqomfa kuView Source To end the install, click Cancel (+) Ukuyicima, nqomfa kuCancel Verbs Sometimes an English verb can be used as loan word in the target language, that is, isiXhosa in this case. Such loan words usually follow the syntactic and morphological rules of the target language. 30 For the sake of exposition, let us assume that the verbs in red below are not translated in isiXhosa. English example IsiXhosa examples IsiXhosa examples IsiXhosa examples Copy (+) Kopa (+) Kopile (+) Ukukopa Print (+) Printa (+) Printile (+) Ukuprinta spell (+) Pela (+) Pelile (+) Ukupela Note the suffix –ile in the third column which is a tense marker and the class 15 prefix uku- in the last column. Note also that the class 15 prefix uku- naturally functions in two ways; as a noun and as an action verb and in the above contexts it functions as action verbs. Word Order Xhosa has Subject/ Verb/ Object word order but allows many variations of this order for stylistic and literary purposes as well as emphasis. Example: Mother is cooking food. / Umama upheka ukutya Style and Tone Considerations This section focuses on higher-level considerations for audience, style, tone, and voice. Audience Audience is the end user who uses the product. Example: Computer user / (+) Umsebenzisi wekhompyutha Electronic equipments user / (+) Umsebenzisi wezixhobo zombane Mobile user / (+) Umsebenzisi kanomyayi. Style Make sure each sentence is as direct and simple as possible, which is easy to understand by general user. Translate your texts clearly and concisely in the target language. Follow the basic rules for technical writing in the target language such as consistency of terminology, correct application of grammatical, syntactical and punctuation rules. And respect cultural and local sensitivity. Create content that does not incorporate slang, jargon, colloquial expressions, or culture-specific metaphors. 31 Tone The tone of the isiXhosa translation should mimic the tone of the source product, but should also be respectful. Any word forms that are specific to a particular dialect should be avoided. Voice The voice of Xhosa can only be felt by the Xhosa listener. T he are symbols showing voice. Personal pronouns that are used in isiXhosa are: (+) mna,(+) thina, (+) wena, (+) nina, (+) yena, (+) bona;( meaning I, we; you ( singular), you (plural); and he/she,them. These are used in special contexts like emphasis . Their use is taken by subject concords which are formatives prefixed to verbs and are full words, e.g. you are now connected to the internet= (+) ungenile ngoku kwi-intanethi. English Translation You are now connected to the Internet. (+) Ngoku uqhagamsheleke kwi-intanethi. 32 Localization Guidelines This section contains guidelines for localization into IsiXhosa. General Considerations Abbreviations Common Abbreviations You might need to abbreviate some words in the UI (mainly buttons or options names) due to lack of space. This can be done in the following ways: It should be noted that isiXhosa does not frequently use abbreviations and acronyms and consequently there are very few abbreviations and no acronyms found in isiXhosa. In most cases, isiXhosa applies English abbreviations as in the following examples: i-XNLU (isiXhosa National Language Body), i-ANC (African National Congress). The few common abbreviations in isiXhosa include the following examples: njl. (njalonjalo meaning and so on), okt. (oko kukuthi meaning that is). The Greater Dictionary of IsiXhosa, Vol 3, (pages xxiv – xxv) contains a list of abbreviations. Although these abbreviations were created for purposes of the dictionary, they are widely accepted and are used in any relevant context. The following table lists common isiXhosa expressions and their associated, acceptable abbreviations. Expression Acceptable Abbreviation Mnumzana (+) Mnu. Umzekelo (for example) (+) umz. Njalonjalo (and so on) (+) njl. Oko kukuthi (that is) (+) okt. Njingalwazi (Professor) (+) Njing. Gqirha (Doctor) (+) Gqir. Nkosikazi (Mesdames) (+) Nksk 33 Nkosazana (Mistress) (+) Nksz Mnumzana (Mister) (+) Mnu Use the common abbreviations listed in this section, but avoid extensive use of abbreviations. Do not abbreviate such words as “and,” “or,” “something,” “someone,” or any other word that users might not recognize. If you have any doubt, spell out the word rather than using an abbreviation. Accessibility Microsoft provides people with disabilities (single-handed or with hearing or motion disabilities) with more accessible products and services. These may not be available in IsiXhosa. Please check with your Microsoft contact and remove these references from IsiXhosa text if necessary. Acronyms Acronyms are words made up of the initial letters of major parts of a compound term. Some well-known examples are WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get), OLE (Object Linking and Embedding), or RAM (Random Access Memory). The term acronym refers to words that are made up of the initial letters of the major parts of a compound term if they are pronounced as a new word. Some well-known examples of acronyms are WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get), OLE (Object Linking and Embedding), or RAM (Random Access Memory). Caution: Do not include a generic term after an acronym or abbreviation if one of the letters in the acronym stands for that term. Even though this might occur in the US-English version, it should be “corrected” in the localized version. The following examples show the redundancy in red for English terms. English terms Incorrect translation of isiXhosa Correct translation of isiXhosa (-) RPC call (-) Umnxeba we-RPC (+) I-RPC (-) HTML language (-) Ulwimi lwe-HTML (+) I-HTML (-) TCP/IP-Protocol (-) IProtokhol ye-TCP/IP (+) I-TCP/IP (-) PIN Number (-) Inani le-PIN (+) I-PIN Localized Acronyms In online help or documentation, spell out the words that comprise an acronym or abbreviation the first time that acronym is used in the text. You should include the language-specific translation, the US term, and the acronym as in the following example: 1. I-Dat Access Objects (i-DAO) (Data Access Objects, DAO) 2. I-ActiveXData Objects (i-ADO) (ActiveX Data Objects, ADO) 34 In the above examples, isiXhosa follows the English pattern with the prefix i- and a hyphen in the acronym. Note that the hyphen is necessary to avoid confusion and to indicate the English term in the context of isiXhosa. In other words, it indicates that the prefix i- is not part of the English word. In the user interface, there is usually not enough space for all three terms (US term, language-specific translation, and the acronym); only in wizards, the acronym can easily be spelled out and localized on first mention. If there are space constraints or there is no 'first' occurrence, it is up to you to judge to the best of your knowledge whether the acronym or abbreviation can be left as is or should be spelled out and localized. You should also consider that different users will have different levels of knowledge about a product. For example, an Italian Exchange user will understand “DL,” but the average Italian Windows user might not understand “DL” and would need to see “lista di distribuzione” (distribution list) instead. Try to be consistent within a product with your use of acronyms and initializations. Unlocalized Acronyms Many abbreviations and acronyms are standardized and remain untranslated. They are only followed by their full spelling, including their relevant prefixes, in isiXhosa if the acronym needs to be explained to the speakers of a different language. In other cases, where the acronym is rather common, adding the fully spelled-out form will only confuse users. In these cases, the acronym can be used on its own. The following list contains examples of acronyms and abbreviations that are considered commonly understood; these acronyms and abbreviations should not be localized or spelled out in full in isiXhosa: 1. ANSI (American National Standards Institute) 2. ISO (International Standards Organization) 3. ISDN 4. DOS 5. DSL 6. CD 7. DVD The initial prefix i- must precede these acronyms and abbreviations to make them fit in the context of isiXhosa. If you are unsure what an acronym or abbreviation stands for or refers to, please contact the Moderator responsible for this Style Guide. Applications, Products, and Features Application/product names are often trademarked or may be trademarked in the future and are therefore rarely translated. Occasionally, feature names are trademarked, too (e.g. IntelliSense™). Before translating any application, product, or feature name, please verify that it is in fact translatable and not protected in any way. 35 Microsoft product names are usually trademarked and remain unlocalized. Product names and non-translated feature names are considered proper nouns and are used without definite or indefinite articles in English. For instance, attaching a genitive “s” to trademarked product names is not feasible as it could be interpreted as a modification of such names. Additions to a product or component name are either added with a hyphen or a periphrastic construction needs to be used. For example, instead of expressing a possessive relationship by using the genitive marker “s” in English, a periphrastic construction should be used: 1. (-) Microsoft‟s products 2. (+) Microsoft products 3. (+) Products by Microsoft Product names and non-translated feature names should also be treated as proper nouns in isiXhosa. English example IsiXhosa example Windows Mail shares your Internet Connection settings with Internet Explorer (+) IWindows Mail yabelana neInternet Explorer ngeesethings zeInternet Connection yakho Website addresses will be sent to Microsoft (+) Iiadresi zewebhusayithi ziya kuthunyelwa kuMicrosoft By contrast, translated feature names are used with a definite or indefinite article as they are not treated as proper names. English example IsiXhosa example Hide the Task Manager when it is minimized (+) Tshonisa iTask Manager xa incitshisiwe Check for updates in your installed Media Player's language (+) Khangela uhlaziyo kulwimi lweMedia Player lwakho olufakelweyo Note that although the two names, Task Manager and Media Player are translatable, it is preferred that they are, in this context, not translated for purposes of clarity because the translated versions of these names will have a potential of losing their meanings since they will be general. Frequent Errors This section does not apply to IsiXhosa. Glossaries You can find the translations of terms and UI elements of Microsoft products at Microsoft Language Portal (http://www.microsoft.com/Language/en-US/Default.aspx). 36 Fictitious Information Fictitious content is legally sensitive material and as such cannot be handled as a pure terminology or localization issue. Below is some basic information and contact points when dealing with fictitious content: Vendors and Localizers are not allowed to create their own fictitious names. You must either use the source names or use the list of legally approved names. Please contact your product team representative for further information on how to deal with fictitious companies, names, addresses, email addresses, phone numbers, etc. in your product. For technical products, you may also check with the product team representative whether localized fictitious content is required or not (e.g. Visual Studio). Recurring Patterns This section does not apply to IsiXhosa. Standardized Translations There are a number of standardized translations mentioned in all sections of this Style Guide. In order to find them more easily, the most relevant topics and sections are compiled here for you reference. Verbs Abbreviations Acronyms The importance of standardization Standard Phrases in Error Messages Error Messages Containing Placeholders Titles Copyright notice Unlocalized Items Trademarked names and the name Microsoft Corporation shouldn‟t be localized. A list of Microsoft trademarks is available for your reference at the following location: http://www.microsoft.com/trademarks/t-mark/names.htm. Using the Word Microsoft In English, it is prohibited to use MS as an abbreviation for Microsoft. The general rule for IsiXhosa is that product names are not translated if they include the word Microsoft and/or are trademarked (for example, Microsoft Draw or Microsoft Graph). The Microsoft PM and/or Subsidiary should always be contacted for final approval before you translate a product or component name. 37 The terms “Microsoft,” “Windows,” and “Office” must always remain unlocalized; however, these terms may be transliterated if you receive approval for the appropriate Microsoft PM and Subsidiary. Refer to the section of this Style Guide that discusses trademarks for the complete list of product and component names that must remain in English. Ensure that you apply the chosen product terminology consistently throughout your translation of a set of content or an interface. English text IsiXhosa translation Microsoft (+) I-Microsoft Microsoft Corporation (+) I-Microsoft Corporation Software Considerations This section refers to all menus, menu items, commands, buttons, check boxes, etc., which should be consistently translated in the localized product. Refer to http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/aa511258.aspx for a detailed explanation of the Windows user interface guidelines (English). User Interface Translating UI items can be a challenge at times, in part because you do not always know the context or the exact function of a particular UI item. This topic is intended to give some general guidelines about UI references. Always use all available resources to establish the context for UI items. When working with LocStudio EDBs, these resources are the following columns: Instructions, Resource ID, String ID, and sometimes Previous Source and Term Note. If you need more context for a string, contact your Engineering Partner. Checkboxes and Radio Buttons Typically, check boxes should be nouns or nominal phrases, or verbs or verbal phrases, care being taken to include the appropriate linking formatives of isiXhosa. In the texts for checkboxes and radio buttons, it is not typical to address the user directly. Using a personal pronoun such as ”you,” “vous,” or “Sie,” in languages that use this form of address in checkbox or radio button texts should, therefore, be a relatively rare choice. Within an interface, a checkbox can be selected or deselected. 38 In addition, a radio button which in isiXhosa should be nouns, verbs, or even adjectives and pronouns, as well as the phrases based on these categories, can be selected or deselected; within a list, if one radio button is selected, none of the other radio buttons can be selected. Punctuation in the source text often indicates whether a string is to be interpreted as a full sentence, but unfortunately this is not always the case. As a general rule, text in checkboxes and radio buttons receive no period at the end. If the period is there in the source text and if the string is a complete sentence, the localized string should also end with a period. A period is also advised if the target string is a complete and complex or long sentence (full sentence with sub-clauses or stretching over several lines). Examples : English example IsiXhosa example I accept the license terms. (+) Ndiyayamkela imiqathango yephepha-mvume. 39 I accept this agreement. (+) Ndiyasamkela esi sivumelwano. Confirm file format conversion on open (+) Qinisekisa uguqulo lobume befayile. 4. (-) Microsoft‟s products 5. (+) Microsoft products 6. (+) Products by Microsoft Dialog Box Contents When translating dialog box contents, you are expected to use consistent terminology and language style in all dialog boxes and ensure that your translations are consistent with translations in other localized applications. However, in isiXhosa, the condition of consistency with translations in other localized applications can only be fulfilled if the level of accuracy in them is as high as is set for this particular product. Otherwise, there may be a need for adaptation and upgrading of translations in other applications, for example, in relation to agreement, correct idiom, simplicity and avoidance of literal translations. Also, applications that are not currently localized may be localized in the future, and the same translations will be used in those applications. 40 Dialog box titles should be consistent with the menus items or menu commands that call them. Typically, menus are verbs or nouns; therefore, dialog titles should be verbs and nouns. This pattern is usually observed in the source text, and the source text format is decisive here. If the source text does use a headline format (“Doing xyz”), the isiXhosa equivalent to this format should be used. Also, the translator must ascertain if the title is meant to be a noun or a verb. If a verb, whether it is more fitting as an infinitive or a command (an imperative verb), or a subjunctive sentence. Example: English example IsiXhosa example Insert Table (+) Fakela itheyibhile Use parallel language for dialog box elements that are parallel in function, such as the contents of lists and tables. Ensure that all items are similar in form, and use the same part of speech. For example, translate all items in a list within a dialog box using an infinitive verb, or translate them all as noun/gerund, or translate them all as imperative verbs. Rely on the rules for isiXhosa to determine how best to translate the contents of dialog box elements such as lists and tables. Menus, Commands, Buttons, and Other Interface Text When translating menus, commands, and buttons, you should translate a verb as a verb (infinitive or citation form), and a noun as a noun unless there is a good reason not to do so. Always try to establish whether a word is a noun or a verb, using all available context and material. Some words can be both nouns and verbs (such as “View” in English interfaces), so be sure you know the context in which the word is being used in the interface. If the part of speech is ambiguous, there are often instructions that clarify whether you are dealing with a noun, verb, or adjective in a given context. English example IsiXhosa example Archive [noun] (+) Uvimba wezindala (n) Set [verb] Query [noun] (+) Faka(v) umbuzo(n) View [verb] (+) Jonga(v) Messages Status Messages What is a Status Bar Message? A status bar message is an informational message about the active document or a selected command as well as about any active or selected interface item. Messages are shown in the status bar at the bottom of the window when the user has chosen a menu, a command or any other item, or has started a function. The status bar messages refer to actions being performed or already complete (for example in Outlook below). 41 Messages reporting that a process is executing usually use a verb in the “-ing” form plus three dots after the text. In isiXhosa you should choose a verb tense and/or aspect that expresses the ongoing nature of the action and in this case the verb will be in the present continuous tense with an accurate concordial agreement. Difficulties can arise if this convention is not kept in the US text and the status or progress message is not immediately recognizable as such (although sometimes the Resource ID will tell). The standard syntax should be applied to status bar messages wherever possible. Examples: English example IsiXhosa example Scanning files... (+) Ikhangela iifayile… Opening message… (+) Ivula umyalezo… IsiXhosa Style in Status bar Messages In English, the status bar messages have different forms dependent on the information they must convey. In IsiXhosa, menu and commands status bar messages should follow the format below. Name IsiXhosaName Category English Status Bar message IsiXhosa Status Bar message Edit (+) Hlela menu Contains editing commands (+) imenyu Copy to Folder... (+) Kopela kwiFolda menu Copies the selected items to a new location (+) Ikhuphela izinto ezikhethiweyo kwindawo entsha New (+) -Ntsha command Creates a new document (+) Yila uxwebhu olutsha Make object visible? (+) Yenze into ibonakale Word is converting the document. Press Esc to stop. (+) IWord iguqula uxwebhu. Cofa uBaleka ukuze uyeke. Datasheet View (+) Ukubona iphepha lengcombolo Done (+) Yenziwe 42 The importance of standardization In the US product you can often find messages that are phrased differently even though they have the same meaning. Try to avoid this in the localized IsiXhosa version. Use one standard translation as in the examples below: English term Correct IsiXhosa translation Press F1 to get Help (+) Cinezela u-F1 ukufumana u-Nceda If you want Help press F1 To get Help press F1 Not enough memory (+) Akukho sithuba saneleyo Insufficient memory There is not enough memory Save changes to %1? (+) Ufuna ukugcina iinguqu kwi-%1? Do you want to save changes to %1? Error Messages What Is An Error Message? Here is an example: Error messages are messages sent by the system or a program, informing the user that there is an error that must be corrected in order for the program to keep running. For example, the messages can prompt the user to take an action or inform the user of an error that requires rebooting the computer. IsiXhosa Style in Error Messages It is important to use consistent terminology and language style in the localized error messages, and not just translate as they appear in the US product. New localizers frequently ask for help with error messages. The main principles for translation are clarity, comprehensibility, and consistency. 43 Standard Phrases in Error Messages When translating standard phrases, standardize. Note that sometimes the US uses different forms to express the same thing. Examples: English Translation Example Comment Cannot … (+) Awunako (+) Awunako ukucima It is not easy for Xhosa to just translate such single terms as they can refer to either a person or thing. As such – in most cases translation refers to a person, and that could be wrong. (+) Akuphumelela uku- (+) Akuphumelela ukucima See the comment above (+) Akunako ukufumana (+) Akunako ukufumana into See the comment above (+) Imemori ayanelanga (+) Imemori yekhompyutha yakho ayanelanga See the comment above (+) … ayikho (+) i-intanethi ayikho See the comment above Could not … Failed to … Failure of … Cannot find … Could not find … Unable to find … Unable to locate … Not enough memory Insufficient memory There is not enough memory There is not enough memory available ... is not available ... is unavailable Error Messages Containing Placeholders When localizing error messages containing placeholders, try to find out what will replace the placeholder. This is necessary for the sentence to be grammatically correct when the placeholder is replaced with a word or phrase.Note that the letters used in placeholders convey a specific meaning, see examples below: 44 %d, %ld, %u, and %lu means n/a %c means n/a %s means n/a Examples of error messages containing placeholders: "Checking Web %1!d! of %2!d!" means "Checking Web n/a "INI file "%1!-.200s!" section" means "INI file n/a When localizing error messages containing placeholders, find out what text will replace the placeholder when the user sees the error message. This process is necessary because you must ensure the resulting sentence will be grammatically correct when the placeholder is replaced with a word or phrase. Most source strings have instructions that detail what text will replace the placeholder. In the English source string, placeholders are found in the position where they would naturally occur in that language. Since in English numerals typically precede the noun, the numeral placeholders typically precede the noun in the source strings. If the numeral follows the noun it modifies in isiXhosa, you have to move the placeholder after the noun. See the examples from Yoruba below English examples Yoruba examples in %d days n %d minutes s j 30 w n j d The letters and symbols used in placeholder text convey a specific meaning. Please refer to the following table for examples of placeholder text and corresponding error message text that users will see. Placeholder text Error message text that users will see %d, %ld, %u, and %lu Number (such as 3 or 512) %c Letter (such as “f” or “s”) %s String (such as “Click here to continue.”) “Checking Web 1!d! of 2!d!” “INI file " 1!-.200s!" section” “Checking Web <number> of <number>” “INI file "<string>" section” English example Message User will see IsiXhosa example Replace invalid %s? Replace invalid data? (+) Kufakwe i-%s engasebenziyo? Replace invalid file? 45 %s already exists File already exists (+) I-%s sele ikho. Name already exists %s is now set as your personal contact. Regina is now set as your personal contact (+) I-%s ngoku ibekwe njengomntu oya kunxibelelana naye. Mr. Kim is now set as your personal contact %s stopped working and was closed The application stopped working and was closed (+) I-%s iyekile ukusebenza yaze yavalwa. The program stopped working and was closed Please see more information about Plural in Strings with a Variable for Windows Live here. Keys The keyboard is the primary input device used for text input in Microsoft Windows. For accessibility and efficiency, most actions can be performed using the keyboard as well. While working with Microsoft software, you use keys, key combinations and key sequences. In English, References to key names, like arrow keys, function keys and numeric keys, appear in normal text (not in small caps). n/a Access Keys/Hot keys Sometimes, there are underlined or highlighted letters in menu options, commands or dialog boxes. These letters refer to access keys (also known as hot keys) that allow you to run commands, perform tasks, etc. more quickly. 46 Hot Key Special Options Usage: Is It Allowed? Notes "Slim characters", such as I, l, t, r, f can be used as hot key yes IsiXhosa adopts English versions. Characters with downstrokes, such as g, j, y, p and q can be used as hotkeys yes IsiXhosa adopts English versions. Extended characters can be used as hotkeys yes IsiXhosa adopts English versions. An additional letter, appearing between brackets after item name, can be used as hotkeys yes IsiXhosa adopts English versions. A number, appearing between brackets after item name, can be used as hotkey yes IsiXhosa adopts English versions. A punctuation sign, appearing between brackets after item name, can be used as hotkey yes IsiXhosa adopts English versions. Duplicate hotkeys are allowed when no other character is available yes IsiXhosa adopts English versions. No hotkey is assigned when no more characters are available (minor options only) yes IsiXhosa adopts English versions. Additional notes: n/a Arrow Keys The arrow keys move input focus among the controls within a group. Pressing the right arrow key moves input focus to the next control in tab order, whereas pressing the left arrow moves input focus to the previous control. Home, End, Up, and Down also have their expected behavior within a group. Users can't navigate out of a control group using arrow keys. Numeric Keypad It is recommended that you avoid distinguishing numeric keypad keys from the other keys, unless it is required by a given application. In case which keys to be pressed is not obvious, provide necessary explanations. 47 Shortcut Keys Shortcut keys are keystrokes or combinations of keystrokes used to perform defined functions in a software application. Shortcut keys replace menu commands and they are sometimes given next to the command they represent. In opposition to the access keys, which can be used only when available on the screen, shortcut keys can be used even when they are not accessible on the screen. Standard Shortcut Keys US Command US English Shortcut Key IsiXhosa Command IsiXhosa Shortcut key General Windows Shortcut keys Help window F1 n/a F1 Context-sensitive Help Shift+F1 n/a Shift+F1 Display pop-up menu Shift+F10 Bonisa imenyu yezizivelelayo Shift+F10 Cancel Esc Rhoxisa Esc Activate\Deactivate menu bar mode F10 Chukumisa/Sukuyichukumisa imowudi yebha yemenyu F10 Switch to the next primary application Alt+Tab Tshintshela kusetyenziso lokuqala olulandelayo Alt+Tab Display next window Alt+Esc Bonisa ifestile elandelayo Alt+Esc Display pop-up menu for the window Alt+Spacebar Bonisa imenyu yezizivelelayo ukwenzela ifestile Alt+Spacebar Display pop-up menu for the active child window Alt+- Bonisa imenyu yezizivelelayo ukwenzela ifestile yomntwana osebenzayo Alt+- Display property sheet for current selection Alt+Enter Bonisa ikhasi lepropati ukwenzela okukhethiweyo Alt+Enter Close active application window Alt+F4 Vala ifestile esebenzayo Alt+F4 Switch to next window within (modelesscompliant) application Alt+F6 Tshintshela kwifestile elandelayo (uthotyelo olungenamowudi) kusetyenziso Alt+F6 48 Capture active window image to the Clipboard Alt+PrntScrn Thatha umfanekiso wefestile esebenzayo kwiKliphbhodi Alt+PrntScrn Capture desktop image to the Clipboard PrntScrn Thatha umfanekiso wedesktophu kwiKliphbhodi PrntScrn Access Start button in taskbar Ctrl+Esc Fikelela kwiqhosha u-Qalisa kwithaskhbha Ctrl+Esc Display next child window Ctrl+F6 Bonisa ifestile yomntwana elandelayo Ctrl+F6 Display next tabbed pane Ctrl+Tab Bonisa i-tabbed pane elandelayo Ctrl+Tab Launch Task Manager and system initialization Ctrl+Shift+Esc Qala uMphathi womSebenzi noqalo lwesistimu Ctrl+Shift+Esc File Menu File New Ctrl+N IFayili eNtsha Ctrl+N File Open Ctrl+O UkuVula iFayili Ctrl+O File Close Ctrl+F4 UkuVala iFayili Ctrl+F4 File Save Ctrl+S UkuGcina iFayili Ctrl+S File Save as F12 UkuGcina iFayili njenge F12 File Print Preview Ctrl+F2 Imbonakalo yangaphambili yokuPrinta iFayili Ctrl+Z File Print Ctrl+P UkuPrinta iFayili Ctrl+P File Exit Alt+F4 UkuPhuma kwiFayili Alt+F4 Edit Menu Edit Undo Ctrl+Z Hlela ukucima okwenzekileyo Ctrl+Z Edit Repeat Ctrl+Y Hlela uPhinda Ctrl+Y Edit Cut Ctrl+X Hlela uSika Ctrl+X 49 Edit Copy Ctrl+C Hlela uKopa Ctrl+C Edit Paste Ctrl+V Hlela uNcamathisela Ctrl+V Edit Delete Ctrl+Backspace Hlela uCima Ctrl+Backspace Edit Select All Ctrl+A Hlela uKhetha Konke Ctrl+A Edit Find Ctrl+F Hlela uFumana Ctrl+F Edit Replace Ctrl+H Hlela uFaka endaweni yenye Ctrl+H Edit Go To Ctrl+B Hlela uYiya ku Ctrl+B Help Menu Help F1 Nceda F1 Font Format Italic Ctrl+I Kekeleyo Ctrl+I Bold Ctrl+G Ngqindilili Ctrl+G Underlined\Word underline Ctrl+U Krwelela umgca ngaphantsi Ctrl+U Large caps Ctrl+Shift+A Oonobumba abaKhulu Ctrl+Shift+A Small caps Ctrl+Shift+K Oonobumba abaNcinci Ctrl+Shift+K Paragraph Format Centered Ctrl+E Embindini Ctrl+E Left aligned Ctrl+L Iteskti ibhekisa ekhohlo Ctrl+L Right aligned Ctrl+R Iteskti ibhekisa ekunene Ctrl+R Justified Ctrl+J Ngqamanisiwe Ctrl+J Document Translation Considerations Document localization may require some specific considerations that are different from software localization. This section covers a few of these areas. 50 Titles In English the titles for chapters usually begin with "How to …" or with phrases such as "Working with …" or "Using …". Titles should convey as much information as possible about the ensuing text to help readers locate information quickly. If in English the heading begins with a gerund, try to use a nominalized form in isiXhosa. English example IsiXhosa example Sending a file (+) Ukuthumela ifayile Using Styles (+) Ukusebenzisa iindlela ezithile Whenever possible, headings of lists and tables should consist of one or two words, preferably active nouns. They should be concise, even if the original heading uses a longer phrase. US heading IsiXhosa heading In order to (+) Khona ukuze Do this (+) Yenza oku How to use (+) Indlela yokusebenzisa First do this (+) Qala wenze oku Then do this (+) Ukuze wenze oku How to: (+) Indlela yoku-: Walkthrough (+) Yihla nayo Copyright Copyright protection is granted to any original work of authorship fixed in any tangible medium of expression from which it can be perceived, reproduced, or communicated. The following translations must be used: English text IsiXhosa translation Copyright (+) Ilungelo lombhali All rights reserved (+) Onke amalungelo akhuselwe Microsoft Corporation (+) IMicrosoft Corporation 51