[Python-ideas] i18n and Python tracebacks

[Terry Reedy]

On 5/15/2010 10:02 AM, Andre Roberge wrote:
> I think it would be a good idea if Python tracebacks could be translated
> into languages other than English - and it would set a good example.

If you change the proposal to having a translated version 'in addition 
to' rather than 'instead of' the English version, I would be in favor of 
it as an option. Then non-English speakers would gradually learn a bit 
of English from each error, and people like me could also get a boost on 
learning the math/comp vocabulary of another language, such as Spanish.

Since a decent translation will not necessarily have substitution fields 
in the same order, this proposal requires that they be indicated and 
filled by name rather than position. This is easy with the new 3.x 
string formatting system, but I have no idea how it is done presently.

Use of unicode as the string type in 3.x, including for identifiers, 
makes internationalization (whew, no wonder people abbreviate that as 
i8n) of Python, to whatever level, easier than with 2.x. But I think 
further steps will require more initiative from the various 
other-language communities. In other words, more is needed than 'I think 
it would be a good idea...'. I also think it would be good if they 
cooperated to not re-invent the wheel (differently) for each language 
and form something like an Intermation Python Working Group (assuming 
there is not such now). Current core developers, of necessity, are 
comfortable enough with the current situation and mostly have other 
itches to scratch.

Terry Jan Reedy