Should I internationalize references to strings in external resources?

  • In a plugin I wrote, I document some recommended settings for using Font Squirrel’s Webfont Generator. Currently, I’ve internationalized the strings, e.g., __( 'X-height Matching', 'text-domain' ), where X-height Matching is actually a string found in the Generator.

    The Webfont Generator is only in English so retrospectively I think it would be better to leave these strings untranslated since it could cause user confusion.

    Seeking advice, especially from the translator community.

Viewing 6 replies - 1 through 6 (of 6 total)
  • Moderator bcworkz

    (@bcworkz)

    If you’re referencing a setting label in the generator UI, your string should match whatever that is. If the generator were available in multiple languages, then you’d want your string to also be translated to match. However, knowing exactly what an app’s label would be in multiple languages isn’t easy to know. If it’s always in English, so should be your string.

    “X-height” in particular should never be translated in any case because it’s a font property name.

    I do not participate with the polyglots team. If you still prefer someone from polyglots to offer an opinion, you could try the #polyglots channel on WordPress Slack.

    Thread Starter Chris J. Z?hller

    (@seezee)

    Thanks — you’ve confirmed my suspicion. Just to cross my “t”s & dot my “i”s I will ask on the #polyglots channel.

    I’m one of the global mentors for team “polyglots”. I got here when you linked this post from the Polyglots Slack channel.
    Yes: avoid i18n-ing parameters that should not be translated.

    Thread Starter Chris J. Z?hller

    (@seezee)

    Thanks for confirming, @tobifjellner. I’ve removed all of the unnecessary strings from my .pot file. I’ll push out the update on Monday.

    @seezee
    Hmm. Actually, translate.www.remarpro.com totally disregards any .pot file you may have included in your plugin. Instead, it will scan your code for calls to the translation functions. (Although it will skip some files, notably minified files and anything under /vendor/ .)

    Thread Starter Chris J. Z?hller

    (@seezee)

    @tobifjellner To clarify: I’ve removed unnecessary translation functions from my source code, thereby removing the strings from my .pot file. But good to know about translate.www.remarpro.com disregarding that file.

Viewing 6 replies - 1 through 6 (of 6 total)
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