[OFF] Localisation (was Re: Security Framework: authorization rights.)
[OFF] Localisation (was Re: Security Framework: authorization rights.)
- Subject: [OFF] Localisation (was Re: Security Framework: authorization rights.)
- From: Wade Tregaskis <email@hidden>
- Date: Tue, 4 Nov 2003 11:51:43 +1100
Well, personally, I was aiming more at the humor (humour) end of the
spectrum than actually making a complaint (hence the embedded smiley).
While I would prefer consistency in spelling across the
English-speaking
world, I take that position from a purely practical perspective (eg
searching in mamasam for alternatives like color, colour, authorise,
authorize, license or licence) rather than any moralistic one.
I agree entirely.
And I was aiming for a bit of humour, although as everyone probably
picked up :) I do get quite annoyed with some of the US bias in OS X.
Particularly the fact that the system-wide spell checker will happily
learn and *remember* non-words like "http" or "www", but conveniently
forgets many of the English words I teach it, like "localisation".
Insert conspiracy theory here... :)
There is in fact a en_US localisation code, so I don't see why US
developers don't use it. To be fair, the only country which can claim
to have the authoritative English is, surprisingly enough, England.
Why then is there a en_UK localisation code?
In any event, differences in spelling pale beside differences in
usage. Try
asking for "cutlery" in an American restaurant. Until you say
"silverware",
all you usually get is a blank look. On another occasion, I asked for a
"jug of Diet Coke" for the table. That got me a *very* stern look
until a
friend translated my request into a "pitcher of Diet Coke" ("jugs"
having
an altogether different meaning). I'm sure that Americans who visit
Australia have similar stories to tell.
'Jelly' is another one. It seems to be the generic US name for any
food which doesn't have any other name, kind of like how most meats are
described as tasting like chicken.
For those who don't know, in Australian (and possibly elsewhere) Jelly
is a particular type of food... I'm not sure how to describe it. Think
lots of sugar set in water, coloured. You eat it as a desert, often
with chocolate frogs in it and so forth.
Let's just say if someone asked for jelly on toast, I'd look at them
very strangely. I suppose if I asked for jam in the US, they'd do the
same. :)
As to Tech Note 2095, I actually roared with laughter when I read it,
as
did my wife when I read it to her (and she hates anything to do with
programming).
It reminded me of *that* Simpsons episode.. every Aussie knows the one.
:) It's somehow insulting, yet you wonder why, because really it has
absolutely no relation to reality.
In short, I reckon it was a bloody excellent piece of work!
Convince Apple to use "en_US" for their "English" apps, and true
English for plain "en", and I'll agree with you. :)
Wade Tregaskis
-- Sed quis custodiet ipsos custodes?
P.S. Why is it that whenever anyone in any English-speaking country
sings, they always sound Australian? I know it's not just me on this,
because every time I mention it to someone they go "hey, yeah!"... is
it conclusive evidence that the "Australian accent" really is a myth? :)
P.P.S. Why is that Finding Nemo, in which half the voices were done by
Australians, still has terrible fake accents for the Australian
characters? What the?
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