[Python-ideas] Non-English names in the turtle module (with Spanish example)

[Terry Reedy]

On 9/16/2015 6:28 PM, Al Sweigart wrote:
> I've created a prototype for how we could add foreign language names to
> the turtle.py module

Before going very far with turtle.py, you should be aware that the 
current turtle.py, writen by Gregor Lingl,  is a replacement for the 
first version. It has two problems.

First, it was never properly contributed to Python.  Lingl did not sign 
the contributor agreement before Martin von Loewis committed it, and has 
not done so subsequently when requested.  It has its own copyright and 
proprietary license, which pydev has violated.

Second, the original was written in tkinter, while Gregor's version is 
writen in his custom graphics language, which in turn is implemented in 
tkinter.  Gregor planned to also implement his new intermediate layer in 
some other framework, though he never did.

I personally will not touch the current turtle.py.  I would rather 
revert to the original tkinter version, fix that, and move forward. But 
I am currently busy enough with IDLE.

> and erase the language barrier for non-English schoolkids.

The third problem is that this is not a a priority for any core 
developer.  Turtle itself is not anyone's priority.

> The Tortuga module has the same functionality as

turtle, I presume

> You can test it out by running "pip install tortuga"
>
> https://pypi.python.org/pypi/Tortuga

You should keep this as a pypi project.  Future turtle.py could be 
changed to load external dictionaries without being monkey patched, but 
even that would do nothing for existing installations.  I feel strongly 
that language packs not be put in the stdlib.  Each dictionary has to be 
checked for accuracy and suitability for kids.  This is not a job for 
pydev.

> Since Python 2 doesn't have simpledialog,

Since python-ideas is for possible new features, and new features only 
go in future 3.x releases, code discussed here should be Python 3.

> Check out the diff between Tortuga and turtle.py here:
> https://www.diffchecker.com/2xmbrkhk
>
> This file can be easily adapted to support multiple programming languages.

I think only one language should be loaded at a time.  With 50 
languages, it is possible that the same 'word' (sequence of letters) 
might be used by different languages to translate different turtle 
words.  Then the last language loaded would win.

> Thoughts? Suggestions?

Good idea. Go ahead and do it -- on pypi.

-- 
Terry Jan Reedy