Chapter 2. Introduction

4

  Formatting input and output of numbers, dates, money, etc., in a way that obeys customs of

the users' native cultures.

  Classifying and sorting characters, in a way that obey customs of the users' native cultures.

  Using typesetting and hyphenation rules appropriate for the users' native languages.

This document puts emphasis on the first three items. This is because these three items are the

basis for the other items. An another reason is that you cannot use softwares lacking the first

three items at all, while you can use softwares lacking the other items, albeit inconveniently. This

document will also mention translation of messages (item 6) which is often called as 'I18N'. Note

that the author regards the terminology of 'I18N' for calling translation and

gettext

ization as

completely wrong. The reason may be well explained by the fact that the author did not include

translation and

gettext

ization in the important first three items.

Imagine a word processor which can display error and help messages in your native language

while cannot process your native language. You will easily understand that the word processor

is not usable. On the other hand, a word processor which can process your native language, but

only displays error and help messages in English, is usable, though it is not convenient. Before we

think of developing convenient softwares, we have to think of developing usable softwares.

The following terminology is widely used.

  I18N (internationalization) means modification of a software or related technologies so that

a software can potentially handle multiple languages, customs, and so on in the world.

  L10N (localization) means implementation of a specific language for an already internation 

alized software.

However, this terminology is valid only for one specific model out of a few models which we

should consider for I18N. Now I will introduce a few models other than this I18N L10N model.

a. L10N (localization) model This model is to support two languages or character codes, English

(ASCII) and another specific one. Examples of softwares which is developed using this

model are: Nemacs (Nihongo Emacs, an ancestor of MULE, MULtilingual Emacs) text editor

which can input and output Japanese text files, and Hanterm X terminal emulator which can

display and input Korean characters via a few Korean encodings. Since each programmer

has his or her own mother tongue, there are numerous L10N patches and L10N programs

written to satisfy his or her own need.

b. I18N (internationalization) model This model is to support many languages but only two of

them, English (ASCII) and another one, at the same time. One have to specify the 'another'

language, usually by

LANG

environmental variable. The above I18N L10N model can be

regarded as a part of this I18N model.

gettext

ization is categorized into I18N model.