[Python-ideas] Non-English names in the turtle module.

[Al Sweigart]

I've opened an issue for adding non-English names to the turtle module's
function names: https://bugs.python.org/issue24990

This would effectively take this code:

    import turtle
    t = turtle.Pen()
    t.pencolor('green')
    t.forward(100)

...and have this code in French be completely equivalent:

    import turtle
    t = turtle.Plume()
    t.couleurplume('vert')
    t.avant(100)

(Pardon my google-translate French.)

This, of course, is terrible way for a software module to implement
internationalization, which usually does not apply to the source code names
itself. But turtle is used as a teaching tool. While professional
developers are expected to obtain proficiency with English, the same does
not apply to school kids who are just taking a small computer programming
unit. Having the turtle module available in their native language (even if
Python keywords are not) would remove a large barrier and let them focus on
the core programming concepts that turtle provides.

The popular Scratch tool has a similar internationalized setup and also has
LOGO-style commands, so most of the translation work is already done.


Are there any design or technical issues I should be aware of before doing
this? It seems like a straight forward "Tortuga = Turtle" assignment of
names, though I would have a set up so that it is easy to add languages to
the source.

I have a Google-translated set of translations here:
https://github.com/asweigart/idle-reimagined/wiki/Turtle-Translations

But of course, a native speaker would have to sign off on it before making
it part of the turtle module API.

-Al
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