Over the past week I've been experiencing problems with the Ilokano extension.
At first the extension would take over the default, English US. I would see buttons such as "OK" and "Cancel" as "Ala Wen" and "Waswasen". I though that maybe it was because "il-PH" was not registered or listed in Firefox. But, after more translating, the extension is starting to work as expected.
So, users should be able to revert back to their "default" language, the language that they were using before installing and using the extension.
I'm at about maybe 30% translated for the extension. Just to whet the pallete of those who have helped, especially, mannurat, I will let members of Ilocano.org use the 30%-translated extension and get some early feedback before I make it completely public and submit it to the Mozilla Foundation.
In terms of timelines, I'm thinking that I'll reach 100% translation quicker this time around that with the Tagalog version. It's just that those who I've asked on Ilocano.org have replied my questions in a timely manner. In addition, we tend to keep to the subject at hand. No birdwalking... Even if there is something that someone disagrees with, they roll with it.
Tuesday, October 25, 2005
Saturday, October 22, 2005
The Ilokano Extension and Firefox
I've localized about maybe 10% of strings so far and I wanted to test them to see how they display in Firefox. But, there was something that needed changing. So, I made the change and then attempted to start Firefox.
Well, I found out that the Ilokano extension somehow usurp the English strings. So, when I launched Firefox, the strings were in Ilokano!
I will have to find a contact at the Mozilla Foundation about this and, if possible, make Ilokano one of the many languages that Firefox has an extension for.
Or, I can repackage the English Extension and install it so I can go back to using English as the default language.
Well, I found out that the Ilokano extension somehow usurp the English strings. So, when I launched Firefox, the strings were in Ilokano!
I will have to find a contact at the Mozilla Foundation about this and, if possible, make Ilokano one of the many languages that Firefox has an extension for.
Or, I can repackage the English Extension and install it so I can go back to using English as the default language.
Tuesday, October 18, 2005
Ilokano Dictionary
I came home today to find that my roommate signed for the dictionary. I noticed that the English-Ilokano part of the dictionary is smaller than the Ilokano-English side. Also, it seems to be the same as the dictionary from the same author, Carl Rubino, which I have.
It’s nice to have the Ilokano-English part of the dictionary. But, I’m translating English to Ilokano… Hmm… I have resources, people that I can ask if I get stuck.
It’s nice to have the Ilokano-English part of the dictionary. But, I’m translating English to Ilokano… Hmm… I have resources, people that I can ask if I get stuck.
Monday, October 17, 2005
Ilokano Dictionary and Amazon.com
I ordered an Ilokano dictionary last week on Thursday, theIlocano Dictionary and Grammar: Ilocano-English, English-Ilocano (Pali Language Texts: Philippines) by Carl Rubino, from Amazon.com. I had it shipped overnight for about $16.00 USD more. I should receive it by Friday, per Amazon. Well, BS to that...
After putting in the tracking number in UPS, I found out that I'd be receiving it later than I thought... Not the next day, but Monday. So, I'll just say that I was/am confused about what Amazon says is the shipping window. Even to this day, Amazon still says that I was supposed to have it on Friday. It's still in "transit".
So, who should I get mad at? I'll start with myself... for getting my hopes up. And, secondly, to Amazon. Here it is Monday and my book is still in "transit". Your site still says that I was supposed to receive it on Friday.
Now, this is why I don't like shopping for books online. I have a Barnes and Noble right across the street from me! So, if the dictionary were there, I'd buy it from them and saved a wad of cash for shipping. Besides, I'd have it NOW. Not on this virtual Friday which has become a Monday.
After putting in the tracking number in UPS, I found out that I'd be receiving it later than I thought... Not the next day, but Monday. So, I'll just say that I was/am confused about what Amazon says is the shipping window. Even to this day, Amazon still says that I was supposed to have it on Friday. It's still in "transit".
So, who should I get mad at? I'll start with myself... for getting my hopes up. And, secondly, to Amazon. Here it is Monday and my book is still in "transit". Your site still says that I was supposed to receive it on Friday.
Now, this is why I don't like shopping for books online. I have a Barnes and Noble right across the street from me! So, if the dictionary were there, I'd buy it from them and saved a wad of cash for shipping. Besides, I'd have it NOW. Not on this virtual Friday which has become a Monday.
Thursday, October 13, 2005
References
Before I start off on this translation, I need to do a post-mortem in regards to the Tagalog translation. One thing that I have started to ponder is about references, whether that be family and friends or books.
On using family and friends for help...
Although they are the best when it comes to running your translations by, they aren't good for translating. It's been my experience that they "know" the language; they just can't explain what is morphologically or syntactically correct!
Allow me to clarify. When you run by them a potential translation, they can tell you whether or not it's syntatically correct. But, don't try running a non-sensical one. They just respond with, "You can't say that," for me that isn't enough. For example, sentences such as Chomsky's "Colorless green ideas sleep furiously," would surely be replied to with "You can't say that!".
Why? What's wrong with it? Why can't you use that verb? Why can't you use that sentence structure? Why? Why? Why?
The only way to answer your question, is to ask more and use some logic... which can take a considerable amount of time. Although, they can tell what you're trying to do, they can't tell you.
On Books...
You have to do all the finding, but when you find an entry, which sentiment is apt? Do I use magbala or magbanta? Only after asking someone, I found out that magbala is more appropiate since magbanta is an in-you-face warning.
You can find all the syntax and morphology that you need, but you just don't know what words will comply.
You still have to find that auntie who always like to help out and try running some potential translations by her, even when she says "You can't say that."
So, I'm coming up with a list of terms and the sentential structures that I had trouble with in the Tagalog version. Then, I'll grab the dictionaries and people I need.
On using family and friends for help...
Although they are the best when it comes to running your translations by, they aren't good for translating. It's been my experience that they "know" the language; they just can't explain what is morphologically or syntactically correct!
Allow me to clarify. When you run by them a potential translation, they can tell you whether or not it's syntatically correct. But, don't try running a non-sensical one. They just respond with, "You can't say that," for me that isn't enough. For example, sentences such as Chomsky's "Colorless green ideas sleep furiously," would surely be replied to with "You can't say that!".
Why? What's wrong with it? Why can't you use that verb? Why can't you use that sentence structure? Why? Why? Why?
The only way to answer your question, is to ask more and use some logic... which can take a considerable amount of time. Although, they can tell what you're trying to do, they can't tell you.
On Books...
You have to do all the finding, but when you find an entry, which sentiment is apt? Do I use magbala or magbanta? Only after asking someone, I found out that magbala is more appropiate since magbanta is an in-you-face warning.
You can find all the syntax and morphology that you need, but you just don't know what words will comply.
You still have to find that auntie who always like to help out and try running some potential translations by her, even when she says "You can't say that."
So, I'm coming up with a list of terms and the sentential structures that I had trouble with in the Tagalog version. Then, I'll grab the dictionaries and people I need.
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