[I18n-sig] Strawman Proposal (2): Encoding attributes

[Tim Peters]

[Paul Prescod, to Martin]
> ... do you really feel comfortable saying: "this is technically
> possible and maybe someone has even submitted a patch to allow
> it but we won't support it because we think everyone should code
> in English."

I'm comfortable with saying that, regardless of tech issues.  The keywords
and builtins and standard libraries are all written with English names no
matter what, and that maximizes readability regardless of native tongue.
Readability is important with Python.  It's not like Python is unique here,
either:  from Algol to Ruby, virtually everyone from Europe to Asia who
invents their own programming language sticks to English too.

Now Java has supported Unicode source code since its beginning.  If someone
can dig up evidence that this has done more than complicate their compilers,
*that* would be good to hear.  I simply see no (zilch, nada) demand for
this, outside of a handful of Gallic purists who would abandon the language
anyway as soon as they realized Guido was Dutch <0.9 wink>.