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Irish (Ireland) style guide

Style guide conventions

  • (+) marks a correct example. (-) marks an incorrect one.
  • Normative: Microsoft LIP Glossaries; Foclóir Ríomhaireachta is Teicneolaíocht Faisnéise (An Gúm, 2004); Foclóir FIONTAR (FIONTAR, 2004); Taisce Téarmaíochta (An Coiste Téarmaíochta, An Gúm agus FIONTAR, 2004); www.tearma.ie, terms tagged Computers, Computer Science or Information Technology.
  • UI reference: Windows User Experience Interaction Guidelines.

Voice

  • Write short, easy-to-read sentences.
  • Avoid passive voice.
  • Be pleasant. Make explanations look individualized.
  • Avoid slang. Take care with colloquialisms. Stay professional while reassuring the customer.
  • Choose words and grammatical structures that match the style of the source text.
  • Keep the style clear, friendly and concise. Use everyday conversational language, not formal technical or commercial language.
  • The audience is not only teenagers. Avoid technical jargon and overly colloquial language.
  • Present all information as simply as possible, so the average user can follow it.
  • Non-standard translations are fine where they stay true to the intent of the source.
  • Translate the intended meaning, not word by word. Convey the same flavour with the most appropriate words and phrases.
  • Irish text may read less natural and casual than the English because technical terms are newly created. Use synonyms, short words and pronouns to build the voice.
  • Use terminology from the approved language resources: key terms, technical terms, product names.

Word choice

  • App: use app instead of application or program.
  • Pick, choose: use pick in more fun, less formal or lightweight situations (pick a color, not choose a color) and choose for more formal situations. Do not use select unless the UI requires it.
  • Drive: for general reference to any drive type (hard drive, CD drive, external hard drive). Use the specific drive type if necessary.
  • Get: use as a synonym for obtain or come into possession of; avoid for other general meanings.
  • Info: use in most situations unless information fits the context better. Use info when you point the reader elsewhere (for more info, see <link>).
  • PC: use for personal computing devices. Use computer for situations about PCs and Macs. Never switch between PC and computer.
  • You: address the user as you, directly or indirectly through first- and second-person pronouns. Avoid third-person references such as user; they sound formal and impersonal.
  • Use shortened words and short everyday words in Irish too. Adhere to approved terminology; never use a different target term for an already approved term.
  • the following -> seo: seo can replace seo a leanas, for example na laethanta seo:…. More everyday register, and it saves space on screen.
  • email -> ríomhphost: can replace teachtaireacht ríomhphoist or ríomhtheachtaireacht in many cases. Where the text must separate the general concept of email from a single message, use ríomhtheachtaireacht. R-phost is possible, but ríomhphost is much more common in current usage and in previously translated material.
  • please -> leave untranslated, or le do thoil: the translation of please can often be omitted. English uses please far more than Irish uses le do thoil. Irish does not seem curt, abrupt or impolite without it, and often seems clunky with it. If translating, use the shorter le do thoil rather than más é do thoil é.

Words and phrases to avoid

  • Achieve -> Do
  • As well as -> Also, too
  • Attempt -> Try
  • Configure -> Set up
  • Encounter -> Meet
  • Execute -> Run
  • Halt -> Stop
  • Have an opportunity -> Can
  • However -> But
  • Give/provide guidance, give/provide information -> Help
  • In addition -> Also
  • In conjunction with -> With
  • Locate -> Find
  • Make a recommendation -> Recommend
  • Modify -> Change
  • Navigate -> Go
  • Obtain -> Get
  • Perform -> Do
  • Purchase -> Buy
  • Refer to -> See
  • Resolve -> Fix
  • Subsequent -> Next
  • Suitable -> Works well
  • Terminate -> End
  • Toggle -> Switch
  • Utilize -> Use
  • Avoid the formal Irish words below. The classic word may still be needed in some contexts.
  • possible/able/can: Féadtar -> Is féidir
  • Allow: Ceadaigh -> Cuir ar chumas (where the sense is enable)
  • It may…: D'fhéadfadh sé tarlú go… -> Seans go… / B'fhéidir go…
  • Analyze: Anailísigh -> Déan anailís ar
  • for: um -> another relevant preposition, for example do, le haghaidh. Um is highly formal and must not be used.

Sample voice text

  • Address the user to take action. Short copy is good copy. Motivate with clear statements.
  • The password isn't correct, so please try again. Passwords are case-sensitive. -> Ní shin é an pasfhocal ceart; bain triail as arís le do thoil. Bíonn pasfhocail cásíogair. Here please was translated because the text would otherwise be abrupt and unfriendly.
  • This product key didn't work. Please check it and try again. -> Níor oibrigh an eochair tháirge sin. Seiceáil an eochair agus bain triail eile aisti. please untranslated.
  • All ready to go -> Ar aghaidh linn! A natural Irish phrase is used.
  • Give your PC a name–any name you want. If you want to change the background color, turn high contrast off in PC settings. -> Ainmnigh do ríomhaire – úsáid aon ainm is maith leat. Más mian leat dath an chúlra a athrú, cas as an chodarsnacht ard i socruithe an ríomhaire. ríomhaire is used rather than PC.
  • Promote a feature.
  • Picture password is a new way to help you protect your touchscreen PC. You choose the picture—and the gestures you use with it—to create a password that's uniquely yours. -> Slí nua is ea an pasfhocal pictiúir chun cuidiú leat do ríomhaire scáileán tadhaill a chosaint. Roghnaíonn tú féin an pictiúr — agus na gothaí a úsáidfidh tú leis — chun pasfhocal a chruthú a bhaineann leat féin amháin. uniquely is not translated literally; it would appear stilted.
  • Let apps give you personalized content based on your PC's location, name, account picture, and other domain info. -> Cuir ar chumas na bhfeidhmchlár inneachar oiriúnaithe a thabhairt duit, a bheidh bunaithe ar shuíomh agus ainm do ríomhaire, ar do phictiúr cuntais, agus ar fhaisnéis fearainn eile.
  • Provide how-to guidelines.
  • To go back and save your work, click Cancel and finish what you need to. -> Chun dul siar agus do chuid oibre a shábháil, cliceáil ar ‘Cealaigh’ agus críochnaigh aon rud is gá duit a chríochnú.
  • To confirm your current picture password, just watch the replay and trace the example gestures shown on your picture. -> Chun an pasfhocal pictiúr atá socraithe agat faoi láthair a dhearbhú, níl le déanamh ach é a athsheinm agus na gothaí samplacha a thaispeántar ar do phictiúr a rianú. faoi láthair is used rather than reatha so the text reads more naturally.
  • Explanatory text and support.
  • The updates are installed, but Windows 10 Setup needs to restart for them to work. After it restarts, we'll keep going from where we left off. -> Tá na nuashonruithe suiteáilte, ach ní mór Cumraíocht Windows 10 a atosú ionas go n-oibreoidh siad. Tar éis di tosú arís, leanfaimid ar aghaidh san áit a stopamar.
  • If you restart now, you and any other people using this PC could lose unsaved work. -> Má atosaíonn tú anois, seans go gcaillfidh tusa nó aon duine eile a bhí ag baint úsáide as an ríomhaire seo obair nach bhfuil sábháilte agaibh.
  • Something bad happened! Unable to locate downloaded files to create your bootable USB flash drive. -> Tharla fadhb! Ní féidir na comhaid íoslódáilte a aimsiú chun do mhéaróg USB bútála a chruthú.

Abbreviations

  • Avoid unnecessary abbreviations. Abbreviate in the UI (mainly buttons, option names) only for lack of space.
  • Menu titles, button and option names should ideally hold one word only. For Edit, Déan eagarthóireacht ar is the literal form, since eagraigh means something else; the recommended solution is Cuir in eagar.
  • Where a word or phrase cannot be spelled in full, abbreviate by natural semantic roots and break multiple consonant groups accordingly.
  • Doiciméad nua -> (+) Doic. Nua (-) Doici. nua
  • Fuinneog nua -> (+) Fuinn. Nua (-) Fuin. nua
  • Ceannlitreacha -> (+) Ceannlit.
  • Some brief English phrases have longer Irish equivalents. Next is An chéad x eile. Where space demands it, Next Comment becomes An chéad nóta tráchta eile -> (+) 1ú nóta tráchta eile
  • Use the common abbreviations listed here, but avoid extensive use. Never abbreviate agus, seachtain, seisiún, or any word that may confuse users. In doubt, spell the word out.
  • Three types of abbreviation: general abbreviations shorten a word or words, sometimes to the initial letter, and normally take a full stop, for example p. (page), etc. (et cetera); initialisms combine initial letters, take no full stop and are pronounced letter by letter, for example PC, CD, HTML; acronyms combine initial letters or syllables, take no full stop and are pronounced as a word, for example ROM, DOS.
  • p. (page) -> (+) lch.
  • pp. (pages) -> (+) lgh.
  • re (with regard to) -> (+) m.l.
  • no./nos. (number/numbers) -> (+) uimh.
  • y (year) -> (+) bl.
  • e.g. (exempla gratia) -> (+) m.sh. (mar shampla)
  • etc. (et cetera) -> (+) etc. (agus rudaí eile)
  • i.e. (id est) -> (+) i. (is é sin)
  • a.m. (ante meridiem) -> (+) a.m.
  • p.m. (post meridiem) -> (+) p.m.
  • vs. (versus) -> (+) vs.
  • Use a nonbreaking space (CTRL+SHIFT+SPACEBAR) in any abbreviation. Where nonbreaking spaces cannot be used, for example in Help files, write the abbreviation without a space so one letter does not move to the next line.

Measurement abbreviations

  • Besides common measurements such as km, m, cm, mm, these are used in the UI and in technical documentation.
  • To remove confusion from contradictory English usage, abbreviate byte with a capital B and bit with a lower case b.
  • Gigabyte GB -> (+) GB
  • Gigabit GBit -> (+) Gb
  • Kilobyte KB -> (+) B
  • Kilobit KBit -> (+) Kb
  • Megabyte MB -> (+) MB
  • Megabit MBit -> (+) Mb
  • Terabyte TB -> (+) TB
  • Terabit TBit -> (+) Tb
  • Megabits per second MBit/s or Mbps -> (+) Mbps
  • Kilobits per second KBit/s or Kbps -> (+) Kbps
  • Bytes per second B/s -> (+) Bps
  • Megabytes per second MB/s -> (+) MBps
  • Kilobytes per second KB/s -> (+) KBps
  • Point Pt.: no plural form.
  • Inch “ -> (+) “, or.; “ is acceptable in packaging and tables, not in body text.
  • Megahertz MHz -> (+) MHz
  • Hertz Hz -> (+) Hz

Acronyms

  • Acronyms are words made from the initial letters of the major parts of a compound term: WYSIWYG, DNS, HTML. Leave all acronyms for computing and IT concepts in English.
  • Never add a generic term after an acronym or initialism when one of its letters stands for that term. Correct this in the localized version even where the US English has it.
  • (-) RPCcall (-) glao RPC (-) HTMLlanguage (-) teanga HTML (-) TCP/IP-Protocol (-) prótacal TCP/IP (-) PINNumber (-) uimhir PIN
  • Localization only arises for general acronyms such as PIN, where the Irish equivalent UAP exists. Leave general acronyms and initialisms in English too, to avoid confusing users.
  • In online help or documentation, spell out the words of an acronym or initialism at first use, giving the Irish term, the English term, and the acronym.
  • (+) Oibiachtaí Rochtain Sonraí, DAO (Data Access Objects, DAO)
  • (+) Oibiacht Sonraí ActiveX, ADO (ActiveX Data Objects, ADO)
  • The UI usually has no space for all three terms; only wizards can spell the acronym out on first mention.
  • Be consistent within a product.
  • Follow an acronym with its full English spelling only where it needs explaining. Where the acronym is common, the spelled-out form only confuses users, so use the acronym alone.
  • Never spell out these commonly understood acronyms and initialisms: ISO (International Standards Organization), ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network), DOS (Disk Operating System), DSL (Digital Subscriber Line), CD (Compact Disc), DVD (Digital Versatile Disc).
  • If unsure what an acronym stands for, contact the PM.
  • For the plural of an acronym or initialism, add the suffix –anna.
  • CDs (compact discs) -> (+) CDanna (dlúthdhioscaí)
  • CD-ROMs -> (+) CD-ROManna
  • DVDs (digital versatile disks) -> (+) DVDanna (dioscaí digiteacha ilúsáide)
  • Unlocalized: D-ROM -> (+) D-ROM; TCP/IP -> (+) TCP/IP

Adjectives

  • Nouns and adjectives agree in gender, number and case. Where two nouns of different gender or number share one adjective, the adjective agrees with the nearest noun.
  • Please select a valid device or directory. -> (+) Roghnaigh gléas nó comhadlann bhailí.
  • Enter correct name or data. -> (+) Cuir isteach ainm nó sonraí cearta.
  • Find corresponding text or files. -> (+) Aimsigh téacs nó comhaid chomhfhreagracha.

Articles

  • English often omits the article though it is implied. Include it in Irish, where space allows, for natural style and rhythm.
  • Change paragraph formatting -> (+) Athraigh formáidiú na n-alt.
  • Change appearance of text -> (+) Athraigh cuma an téacs.
  • English error messages vary in their use of articles and demonstrative and possessive pronouns. Be consistent in Irish.
  • Include an omitted but implied article. Leave out unnecessary demonstrative pronouns. Replace superfluous possessive pronouns in error messages with the article.
  • File already exists, The file already exists, This ile already exists -> (+) Is ann don chomhad cheana. In complete sentences use determiners consistently even where the US string does not.
  • Not nough memory to complete this operation. -> (+) Níl dóthain cuimhne ann chun an oibríocht a chur i gcrích. No demonstrative construction unless context needs it.
  • Windows 10 can't start your system. If the problem persists, contact your network administrator. -> (+) Ní féidir le Windows 10 an córas a thosú. Má leanann an fhadhb ar aghaidh, téigh i dteagmháil leis an riarthóir líonra. Avoid your unless ownership matters in context.
  • Unlocalized feature names: follow natural Irish syntax and treat the product or component name as a non-Irish proper name, with no grammatical inflection.
  • Windows Mail shares your Internet Connection settings with Internet Explorer -> (+) Déanann Windows Mail do shocruithe Nasc Idirlín a chomhroinnt le Internet Explorer.
  • Website addresses will be sent to Microsoft -> (+) Cuirfear seoltaí suíomhanna Gréasáin chuig Microsoft.
  • Translated feature names take a definite or indefinite article; they are not proper names.
  • Hide the Task Manager when it's minimized -> (+) Folaigh an Bainisteoir Tascanna nuair atá sé íoslaghdaithe.
  • Check for updates in your installed Media Player's language -> (+) Lorg nuashonrúcháin
  • For an English loan word already used in products, consider motivation (does the word have formal features allowing straightforward integration into the Irish noun class system), analogy (is there an equivalent Irish term whose article could be used), and frequency (is the term used in other technical documentation, and with which article).
  • Check the approved language resources to confirm a new loan word and its article.
  • Technology acronyms in English are generally borrowed into Irish: CD-ROM, DVD.

Capitalization

  • If the first word of the English source is capitalized, capitalize the first word of the target; if not, do not, unless Irish rules say otherwise.
  • Overcapitalization looks unnatural in Irish. Capitalize only the initial word of a string.
  • Save As -> (+) Sábháil mar
  • Save as Web Page -> (+) Sábháil mar leathanach Gréasáin
  • Print Preview -> (+) Amharc roimh phriontáil
  • Where a string appears inside another string, use single quotes and do not inflect the enclosed words, initially or terminally.
  • Continue without Undo? -> (+) Lean ar aghaidh gan ‘Cealaigh’?
  • Are you sure you want to exit Setup? -> (+) An bhfuil tú cinnte go bhfuil fonn ort scor de ‘Suiteáil’?
  • Capitalize product-specific feature names. Everyday concepts need no single quotes even where the context requires inflection.
  • Do you want to send this file to the Recycle Bin? -> (+) An bhfuil fonn ort an comhad seo a sheoladh go dtí an Bosca Athchúrsála?
  • There are new icons on your Desktop. -> (+) Tá deilbhíní nua ar do Dheasc.
  • Always capitalize Internet and Web; they are proper nouns.
  • Internet -> (+) Idirlíon
  • Internet connection -> (+) nasc Idirlín
  • Web -> (+) Gréasán
  • Web site -> (+) láithreán Gréasáin, suíomh Gréasáin
  • Save as Web Page -> (+) Sábháil mar leathanach Gréasáin
  • Never translate tradenames and copyright product names, and always capitalize them: Microsoft -> (+) Microsoft; Microsoft Access -> (+) Microsoft Access; Microsoft Office -> (+) Microsoft Office; Windows -> (+) Windows
  • Capitalize acronyms and initialisms. Capitalize the complete spelled-out form only for proper names.
  • GUI (Graphical User Interface) -> (+) GUI (comhéadan grafach úsáideora)
  • HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) -> (+) HTML (Teanga Mharcála Hipirtéacs)
  • IP (Internet Protocol) -> (+) IP (Prótacal Idirlín)
  • ID (identity) -> (+) ID (aitheantas)
  • PIF (Program Information File) -> (+) PIF (comhad faisnéis ríomhchláir)
  • WWW (World Wide Web) -> (+) WWW (An Gréasán Domhanda)
  • Some measurement abbreviations take capitals: M (mega-) -> (+) M (meigea-, meigi-); MB (megabyte) -> (+) MB (meigibheart); Mb (megabit) -> (+) Mb (meigighiotán); Hz (hertz) -> (+) Hz (heirts); MHz (megahertz) -> (+) MHz (meigiheirts)
  • Capitalize names of countries, nationalities, their derivative adjectives, and languages.
  • Republic of Ireland -> (+) Poblacht na hÉireann
  • Irish (noun, of nationality) -> (+) Éireannach
  • Irish (adjective) -> (+) Éireannach
  • Irish (language) -> (+) Gaeilge
  • American (adjective) -> (+) Meiriceánach
  • Capitalize names of days and months, but not seasons.
  • Monday, Tuesday, Sunday, etc -> (+) Luan, Máirt, Domhnach, etc.
  • January, February, December, etc -> (+) Eanáir, Feabhra, Nollaig, etc.
  • spring, summer, autumn, winter -> (+) earrach, samhradh, fómhar, geimhreadh
  • English short bracketed text often starts with a capital. Follow that, with standard punctuation: where the string is a grammatical sentence, the bracketed words follow the full stop, preceded by one space.
  • Let Windows manage my virtual memory settings (Recommended). -> (+) Déanadh Windows
  • Internal capitals in the middle of a word are unacceptable in Irish.
  • AutoCorrect -> Uathcheartaigh
  • AutoFormat -> Uathfhormáidigh
  • Some strings are concatenated at run-time and may lack a subject or start mid-sentence. Do not start such strings with a capital unless Irish spelling rules require it.
  • Example string: is trying to connect to this computer. If you allow, you will be disconnected, but you can resume later. Do you want to allow this connection?\r\n
  • unknown software exception\r\n -> (+) eisceacht neamhaithnid bogearra\r\n
  • acquired -> (+) faighte
  • Log off user -> (+) Logáil amach úsáideoir.
  • Edit… -> (+) Cuir in eagar …
  • The English source capitalizes far more nouns and verbs than expected. Do not mimic it; apply Irish spelling conventions. Over-capitalization is awkward and makes the UI inconsistent.
  • Where a capitalized English noun becomes two Irish words, capitalize both, neither, or one consistently.

Compounds

  • Keep compounds understandable and clear. Avoid overly long or complex compounds.
  • Internet Accounts -> (+) Cuntais Idirlín
  • Logon script processing -> (+) próiseáil script logála isteach
  • Workgroup Administrator -> (+) Riarthóir Grúpa Oibre
  • Internet News Server Name -> (+) Ainm Freastalaí Nuachta Idirlín
  • Irish derives compounds naturally: prefix plus noun, verb, adjective or adverb. The prefix can be an adjective, a noun or a particle.
  • compact disc -> (+) dlúthdhiosca
  • core-dumping -> (+) córdhumpáil
  • paste special -> (+) sainghreamaigh
  • mismatch -> (+) mímheaitseáil
  • transmit -> (+) tarchuir
  • download -> (+) íoslódáil
  • spacebar -> (+) spásbharra
  • password -> (+) pasfhocal
  • navigation -> (+) nascleanúint
  • write head -> (+) scríobhchnoga
  • interface -> (+) comhéadan
  • mutually exclusive -> (+) omheisiach
  • double click -> (+) déchliceáil
  • well-defined -> (+) dea-shainithe
  • subsequent -> (+) iartheachtach
  • composite -> (+) ilchodach
  • overflow -> (+) róshreabhadh
  • backward -> (+) siarghabhálach
  • Compounds also form with suffixes: directory -> (+) comhadlann; computer -> (+) ríomhaire; icon -> (+) deilbhín; hierarchy -> (+) ordlathas; cutting -> (+) gearrthóg
  • Terms also form by compounding noun with noun, noun with verb, noun with adjective: file name -> (+) comhadainm; keyword -> (+) eochairfhocal; thesaurus -> (+) stórchiste; print -> (+) clóbhuail; typeset -> (+) clóchuir; endorse -> (+) droimscríobh; handwritten -> (+) lámhscríofa
  • Keep term transparency so new terms do not baffle the user. The preferred term for file name is ainm comhaid, but the compound comhadainm is recognizable and may be preferred under space constraints. Never split the other compounds above into their elements.
  • Product names are trademarked and must stay unchanged. Add to a product or component name with a hyphen, or build a periphrastic construction. Follow natural Irish syntax and treat the name as a non-Irish proper name, with no inflection.
  • Windows password -> (+) pasfhocal Windows
  • Microsoft Word document -> (+) doiciméad Microsoft Word
  • Microsoft SQL Server Database -> (+) bunachar sonraí Microsoft SQL Server
  • Microsoft BackOffice product family -> (+) táirgí gaolmhara Microsoft Back Office
  • ActiveX Control -> (+) rialtán ActiveX
  • These portfolio names are product names and are always used without a hyphen or article in any language: Microsoft Office System, Microsoft Windows Server System, Windows Mobile.
  • For compounds with abbreviations or numerals, follow natural Irish syntax. Insert no hyphen unless the hyphen is integral to an English acronym or initialism.
  • Numerals are often placeholders, so the plural form and initial inflection cannot be known. Follow all numerals with the uninflected nominative singular noun.
  • CD-ROM drive -> (+) tiomántán CD-ROM
  • 2-D gridlines -> (+) línte greille 2D
  • 24 bit color value -> (+) luach datha 24 giotán
  • 3.5 Floppy -> (+) diosca bog 3.5”, diosca bog trí horlach go leith
  • 51/4-inch Floppy -> (+) diosca bog 5¼”, diosca bog cúig orlach is eathrú
  • 35mm slides -> (+) sleamhnáin 35 mm
  • Where English hyphenates a noun or adjective with a verb, do not copy the format. Use a prepositional phrase.
  • context-dependent -> (+) spleách ar (an) chomhthéacs/ar an gcomhthéacs (-) comhthéacs-spléach
  • machine-readable -> (+) inléite ag meaisín (-) meaisín-inléite
  • type-compatible -> (+) comhoiriúnach maidir le cineál (-) cineál-chomhoiriúnach
  • input/output-limited -> (+) teoranta ag ionchur/aschur (-) ionchur/aschur-theoranta
  • content-rich software -> (+) bogearraí ar mhórán inneachair (-) bogearraí inneachar-shaibhir

Contractions

  • English uses contractions for a conversational tone: Do not -> Don't
  • Always use standard verb forms in Irish, not contracted regional variations: use tá siad instead of táid, bhí mé instead of bhíos.

Conjunctions

  • Conjunctions convey a conversational tone. Starting a sentence with a conjunction gives an informal tone and style.
  • As <product> gains features, there is a risk that older content may not display correctly. -> But because of these features older content may not display correctly.
  • Starting a sentence with a conjunction can be natural in Irish (toisc, ós rud é, seachas), but only where it is natural. If the sentence seems unnatural, use another translation.

Gender

  • Instead of naming both genders separately, use a general term covering both, such as daoine or úsáideoirí.
  • Avoid sentences referring to a single person of unknown gender; make the subject plural. Where a single reference is unavoidable, do not use sé or sí, é or í, or a.
  • Generally avoid slashes to combine both genders.
  • Use a neutral noun: (+) duine, an té, ceann foirne, saineolaí, fostaí, úsáideoir, in concept descriptions and explanations.
  • Combine both genders with a slash: (+) sé/sí, only in exceptional cases such as License Terms, and sometimes in tables such as headers or column and row titles.
  • Use the autonomous form of verbs: (+) úsáidtear, seoltar, when referring to actions of neutral subjects.
  • Irish marks gender on pronouns, including prepositional pronouns, so paraphrase or restructure the English to avoid naming gender.
  • (-) An duine a chruthaigh foclóir saincheaptha, ní mór dó leas a bhaint as. (+) Ní mór don duine a chruthaigh foclóir saincheaptha leas a bhaint as.
  • (-) Más úsáideoir nua é, is gá dó ainm úsáideora a chlárú. (+) Is gá d'úsáideoirí nua ainm úsáideora a chlárú.
  • (-) Gach duine a úsáideann an ghné seo, ní mór dó clárú. (+) Ní mór do gach duine a úsáideann an ghné seo clárú.
  • (-) Fiú mura staitisteoir é an t-úsáideoir, cuireann Microsoft Excel ar a chumas … (+) Fiú mura staitisteoir tú, cuireann Microsoft Excel ar do chumas …
  • (-) Fiú mura dtuigeann an t-úsáideoir mórán faoi staitistic, cuireann Microsoft Excel ar a chumas … (+) Fiú mura dtuigeann tú mórán faoi staitistic, cuireann Microsoft Excel ar do chumas …
  • (-) Teastaíonn ón ngrianghrafadóir go mbeidh a chuid grianghraf ar an gcaighdeán is airde. (+) Teastaíonn ón ngrianghrafadóir go mbeidh na grianghraif ar an gcaighdeán is airde.

Genitive

  • Product names and non-translated feature names stay unchanged in the genitive. Microsoft products -> (-) Táirgí Mhicrosoft (+) Táirgí Microsoft
  • Treat all borrowed acronyms as masculine, and the article with them. For feminine acronyms in Irish, use the masculine form of the article in the genitive singular. (+) an DVD (+) ainm an DVD

Localizing colloquialism, idioms, and metaphors

  • Do not replace a source colloquialism with an Irish one unless it is a perfect, natural fit.
  • Otherwise translate the intended meaning, not the literal words, and only where that meaning is integral to the text.
  • If the colloquialism can be omitted without affecting meaning, omit it.

Nouns

  • Irish nouns undergo eclipsis or lenition, so the same noun differs by grammatical context. A single string reused in different contexts may need correcting at review.
  • Leave all nouns following a number placeholder in the singular and uninflected. This covers day(s), week(s), month(s), year(s), and counts of files, items or folders to be deleted, uploaded or exported.
  • Watch for placeholders that turn out to be numbers. Are you sure you want to send the <x> items to the Recycle Bin? -> (+) An bhfuil fonn ort go cinnte an <x> mír seo a sheoladh chuig an mbosca athchúrsála?
  • Eclipsis and lenition after a singular preposition and article are both standard. Choose one and keep it throughout the product.
  • Note the plural suíomh -> suíomhanna, not suímh.
  • For acronyms add the suffix anna: DVD -> DVDanna
  • An apparent plural may carry a singular meaning: media, software, hardware. Check the context; raise a query in doubt.
  • Insert media -> (+) Ionsáigh an meán. (-) Ionsáigh meáin, Ionsáigh na meáin.
  • Found new hardware -> (+) Aimsíodh crua-earra nua. (-) Aimsíodh crua-earraí nua.
  • Do you want to delete this software? -> (+) An bhfuil fonn ort an bogearra seo a scrios? (-) An bhfuil fonn ort na bogearraí seo a scrios?
  • Translate English phrases that allow singular and plural at once the same way in Irish. Beginning to delete file(s) -> (+) Ag tosú ar chomha(i)d a scrios.
  • Use the nominative singular without inflection after numerals, unless the numeral is known and will not vary.
  • Never use the first person for actions performed by the software. Use a verbal noun phrase where possible.
  • Unable to save the file -> (+) Ní féidir an comhad a shábháil.
  • Deleting file -> (+) Ag scrios an chomhaid
  • Where the US text names the agent, name it in the translation. Word is deleting file -> (+) Tá an comhad á scrios ag Word.
  • English personalizes the operating system and refers to it actively; use the passive in Irish where possible. Windows is shutting down -> (+) Tá Windows á mhúchadh.
  • Avoid the impersonal, except to avoid gender bias. Where English uses the passive intentionally, because the agent is unknown or irrelevant, use the autonomous form in Irish. The message has been sent -> (+) Tá an teachtaireacht seolta.

Prepositions

  • Use prepositions correctly. Do not omit them or copy English word order.
  • Starting or ending a sentence with a preposition is acceptable and standard in Irish.
  • Prepositions can join relative clauses: an ceol lena bhfuil tú ag éisteacht / an ceol a bhfuil tú ag éisteacht leis. The second is more casual and everyday; the first avoids gender-specific prepositional pronouns for people, for example an múinteoir lena bhfuil tú ag éisteacht.
  • Avoid the preposition um; it is a highly formal register.
  • Use the correct Irish preposition even where the English has none.
  • Ignore -> (+) Déan neamhaird de …
  • Add -> (+) Cuir … le/leis
  • Exit -> (+) Scoir de …
  • Click the Refresh button -> (+) Cliceáil ar an gcnaipe ‘Athnuaigh’.
  • Prepositions are also needed between some pairs of nouns: data model -> (+) samhail de shonraí/ na sonraí; requirements analysis -> (+) anailís ar (na) riachtanais; object request -> (+) iarratas ar oibiacht
  • For phrases like on disk, mark the difference between on (an individual) disk and the state of data being stored on disk: the former takes lenition where possible, the latter none.
  • on [a] disk -> (+) ar dhiosca; [state of being] on disk -> (+) ar diosca
  • on [a] tape -> (+) ar théip; [state of being] on tape -> (+) ar téip
  • Eclipsis and lenition after a singular preposition and article are both standard; be consistent within the product. Click on the button -> (+) Cliceáil ar an chnaipe. (+) Cliceáil ar an gcnaipe.; context-dependent -> (+) spleách ar an chomhthéacs (+) spleách ar an gcomhthéacs
  • Translate the preposition for in product names: Word for Windows -> (+) Word le haghaidh Windows
  • Use the 2nd person singular of pronouns and prepositional pronouns to address the user. Type your name -> (+) Clóscríobh d'ainm.; Are you sure you want to exit this program? -> (+) An bhfuil tú cinnte go bhfuil fonn ort scor den chlárseo?
  • Translate prepositional phrases by context. Avoid anglicisms. English verbs without a preposition are often rendered in Irish by a verb with one, and one English preposition may need several different Irish ones.
  • migrate to -> (+) ascain go /go dtí; with verbs of movement go dtí is often more appropriate than go
  • Migrate from -> (+) ascain ó
  • import o -> (+) iompórtáil go /go dtí; with verbs of movement go dtí is often more appropriate than go
  • import from -> (+) iompórtáil ó
  • export to -> (+) easpórtáil go /go dtí; with verbs of movement go dtí is often more appropriate than go
  • export from -> (+) easpórtáil ó
  • update to -> (+) nuashonraigh go
  • upgrade to -> (+) uasghrádaigh go
  • change to -> (+) athraigh go
  • click on -> (+) cliceáil ar
  • connect to -> (+) ceangail le /nasc le; both are correct, ceangail is more familiar, nasc slightly more technical but useful against ambiguity
  • welcome to … -> (+) fáilte go …
  • send o … -> (+) seol chuig … /cuir chuig …; go would not be appropriate here
  • write o … -> (+) scríobh chuig …; go would not be appropriate here
  • add -> (+) cuir le/cuir leis; follow normal Irish usage where the target of the addition is known, and use cuir leis where it is not
  • analyse -> (+) déan anailís ar; the transitive anailísigh exists but is not in popular usage
  • extract -> (+) asbhain /bain as; asbhain exists but bain as is often more natural
  • protect -> (+) cosain, cosain ar, cosain ó; cosain is transitive or intransitive, so check the context for whether a preposition is needed and which
  • copy protection -> (+) cosaint ar chóipeáil; the English term omits that the process is protection from copying
  • in the toolbar -> (+) ar an mbarra uirlisí; sa would not be appropriate here
  • below/under the toolbar -> (+) faoin mbarra uirlisí
  • beside the toolbar -> (+) taobh leis an mbarra uirlisí
  • on the tab -> (+) ar an táb
  • on the menu -> (+) ar an roghchlár
  • on the net -> (+) ar an líonra
  • on the Internet -> (+) ar an Idirlíon
  • on the Web -> (+) ar an nGréasán
  • on a web site -> (+) ar shuíomh Gréasáin/ar láithreán Gréasáin
  • on a web page -> (+) ar leathanach Gréasáin
  • at the top -> (+) ag an mbarr
  • to the top -> (+) go dtí an barr
  • from the top -> (+) ón mbarr

Pronouns

  • Paraphrase or restructure the source to avoid naming gender through a pronoun. (-) Gach duine a úsáideann an ghné seo, ní mór dó clárú. (+) Ní mór do gach duine a úsáideann an ghné seo clárú.
  • Use the 2nd person singular of pronouns and prepositional pronouns to address the user where possible. Type your name -> (+) Clóscríobh d'ainm.; Are you sure you want to exit Setup? -> (+) An bhfuil fonn ort go cinnte scor de ‘Cumraigh’?

Punctuation

  • Items that are complete sentences start with a capital letter and end with a full stop, even where the English has no punctuation. Items that are not complete sentences start with a capital letter and take no full stop.
  • Punctuation is otherwise identical to English, except series of adjectives, which English punctuates with commas and Irish does not. Leave series of adjectives unpunctuated.
  • Decimal and thousand separators are as in English.
  • Spacing is as in English: no space before a punctuation mark, always one space after.
  • Use nonbreaking spaces (CTRL (+) SHIFT (+) SPACEBAR or ALT (+) 0160) between words that must not split across lines. A nonbreaking space looks like a degree symbol (°) on screen but prints as a space.
  • Keep table column and row headings in one language style throughout the software. Headings start with capital letters and usually take no final punctuation.
  • Table items that are complete sentences start with a capital and end with a full stop; items that are not start with a capital and take no full stop. Please select a valid device or directory. -> (+) Roghnaigh gléas nó comhadlann bhailí.
  • Irish uses a full stop as the decimal separator. Never use a space for it; a space separates the numeral from the abbreviation.
  • In paper sizes keep the decimal separator and the abbreviation in for inches, since the sizes are US norms.
  • 5.25 cm -> (+) 5.25 cm
  • 5 x 7.2 inches -> (+) 5 x 7.2 orlach
  • Letter Landscape 11 x 8.5 in -> (+) Tírdhreach Letter 11 x 8.5 in
  • Irish uses a comma for thousands. 1,526 -> (+) 1,526; $ 1,526.75 -> (+) €1,526.75
  • Use colons to introduce lists or other information: Bhí na daoine seo i leanas i láthair ar an oíche: Máire Ní Bhriain, Marcas Mac an Rí, agus Síle Ní Dhúshláine
  • Never use a colon with a conjunction such as ach, ná or is ea: Cé a bhí ann ach Máire, Marcas agus Síle!
  • Hyphen: the functions are summarized in Graiméar Gaeilge na mBráithre Críostaí pp19-20. Avoid hyphenation unless space restrictions require it.
  • Use nonbreaking hyphens with t- and n-: an t-athair, sin-seanathair, an-mhaith, ró-óg
  • En dash: minus sign, usually with spaces before and after; also a negative number, without a space. Enter it with Alt + 0150 or ctrl + - (num). (+) 13 – 5 = 8; 5 – 10 = –5
  • The en dash also marks number ranges such as page numbers, with no spaces. (+) lgh 19–23; le linn na tréimhse 1916–1921
  • Em dash: only to emphasize an isolated element or introduce a non-essential element. Use it sparingly.
  • Ellipses mark missing words, sentences or paragraphs, or leave something to the reader. They may be enclosed in square brackets. Ní raibh de sholas sa seomra ach a dtáinig isteach tríd an bhfuinneog […] ach mura raibh féin bhí bean ann.
  • Full stops follow abbreviations but not contractions. (+) An Dr Seán de Barra (+) Féach lgh 59-65 (+) An tOll. Mícheál de Brún
  • Bulleted items that are complete sentences each end with a full stop.
  • Bulleted items that continue an introductory clause take no full stop.
  • List items (chapters, sections, products, system requirements) that are neither sentences nor continuations take no full stop.
  • Where the translation is longer than the US text, or split into several independent sentences, insert a full stop if it improves Irish style.
  • Never put a full stop after just one word.
  • The same conventions apply to instruction lists, captions and callouts.
  • Use smart single quotes to set a feature name or button name apart and avoid grammatical inflection.
  • Start Menu -> (+) Roghchlár ‘Tosaigh’
  • Use the INS key for Paste -> (+) Úsáid an eochair INS do ‘Greamaigh’.
  • Click the Refresh button -> (+) Cliceáil ar an gcnaipe ‘Athnuaigh’.
  • Continue without Undo? -> (+) Lean ar aghaidh gan ‘Cealaigh’?
  • Are you sure you want to exit Setup? -> (+) An bhfuil tú cinnte go bhfuil fonn ort scor de ‘Suiteáil’?
  • Use smart double quotes for direct speech. A quotation inside direct speech takes single quotes.
  • A user who calls up the helpline and says “I need help!” should be listened to. -> (+) Ní mór éisteacht le húsáideoir a ghlaonn ar an líne chabhrach a rá “Tá cabhair uaim!”
  • “What did you reply when the user said ‘I need help!’” -> (+) “Cén freagra a thug tú nuair a dúirt an t-úsáideoir ‘Tá cabhair uaim!’”
  • Parentheses: no space between the parentheses and the text inside.

Sentence fragments

  • Sentence fragments convey a conversational tone. Use them wherever possible; they are short and to the point.
  • Use the following steps. -> Here's how
  • Use a standard translation for segments that recur.
  • Learn more: long form Taispeáin tuilleadh faisnéise dom -> fragment Tuilleadh faisnéise
  • Edit: long form Déan eagarthóireacht ar -> fragment Cuir in eagar
  • Sorry: long form Gabh ár leithscéal -> fragment Ár leithscéal, to be used instead of tá bron orainn

Symbols and nonbreaking spaces

  • Symbols in Irish texts are the same as in English.
  • Use nonbreaking spaces (CTRL (+) SHIFT (+) SPACEBAR or ALT (+) 0160) between words that must not split across lines. A nonbreaking space looks like a degree symbol (°) on screen but prints as a space.

Verbs

  • Use simple tenses. Prefer the simple present. Avoid the future unless the event really is in the future and the simple present does not apply. Use the simple past for events that have already happened.
  • After you're finished installing the tool, the icon will appear on your desktop. -> After you finish installing the tool, the icon appears on your desktop.
  • Use the simple present (aimsir láithreach) in Irish, except where past or future actions are referred to or implied.
  • Verbs often appear without subjects in en-US (Opens a new window), which is not normal in Irish. Use the present tense with seo: Osclaíonn seo fuinneog nua.
  • Use the present tense of bí plus an adjective for states rather than repeated actions: Tá an comhad dúnta rather than Dúnann tú an comhad.
  • Use the future tense for future actions: Click Next when you have finished previewing -> Cliceáil ar ‘Ar aghaidh’ nuair a bheidh tú críochnaithe leis an réamhamharc.
  • English sometimes uses the present continuous for future actions. Use the future in Irish. Every Thursday this December, we're giving away free Skype Credit. -> Tá Creidmheas Skype saor in aisce á thabhairt amach againn gach Déardaoin i mí na Nollag
  • Avoid constructions with arna (arna dhéanamh, arna nglacadh); they are very formal.
  • After you're finished installing the tool, the icon will appear on your desktop.: Tar éis duit an uirlis a shuiteáil, beidh an t-íocón le feiceáil ar an deasc. -> Beidh an t-íocón le feiceáil ar an deasc nuair a bheidh an uirlis suiteáilte agat.

Localization considerations

  • Make the text read as if originally written in Irish, with idiomatic syntax and terminology, and keep terminology consistent.
  • Irish has lenition and eclipsis, which English does not; the relation between numbers and singular or plural nouns differs, and word order differs. Handle these consistently.
  • Context matters. The source may not show whether an English word is a noun or a verb (View). Check the context of the string.

Accessibility

  • Accessibility options and programs make the computer usable by people with cognitive, hearing, physical, or visual disabilities.
  • They engage a flexible, customizable user interface, alternative input and output methods, and greater exposure of screen elements.

Applications, products, and features

  • Product and application names are rarely translated. Some feature names are trademarked (IntelliSense™). Verify a name is translatable and unprotected before translating it.
  • Version numbers always contain a period: Version 4.2 -> Leagan 4.2
  • Version numbers are usually part of version strings, but are not technically the same.

Geopolitical concerns

  • Sensitive or potentially offensive material may occur in maps, flags, country/region, city and language names, art and graphics, and cultural content such as encyclopedia content and text with historical or political references.
  • Check maps and other graphical representations of countries and regions for accuracy and existing political restrictions. Re-check country/region, city and language names, even if previously approved.
  • Check the appropriateness of cultural content, clip art, religious symbols, and body and hand gestures.

Error messages

  • Error messages inform the user of an error that must be corrected for the program to keep running, and may prompt an action or a restart.
  • Apply the voice principles so the translation sounds natural and empathetic, not robotic.
  • Oops, that can't be blank… -> (+) Hoips, ní féidir leis sin a bheith bán…
  • Not enough memory to process this command. -> (+) Níl dóthain cuimhne ann chun an t-ordú seo a phróiseáil.
  • Keep terminology and style consistent; do not just translate the US string.
  • Use the present tense, except where the message refers to a past event.
  • The product has been removed from your computer. -> (+) Tá an táirge bainte de do ríomhaire.
  • Word was unable to open the file. -> (+) Theip ar Word an comhad a oscailt.
  • Standardize standard phrases. The US sometimes uses different forms for the same thing; use one standard Irish phrase for messages of the same meaning and purpose.
  • Can't …, Could not … -> (+) Ní féidir teacht ar angcomhad; for File could not be found, File can't be found
  • Failed to …, Failure of … -> (+) Theip ar an nasc.; for Failed to connect, Failure to connect
  • Can't find …, Could not find …, Unable to find …, Unable to locate … -> (+) Ní féidir teacht ar anmbogearra tiománaí; for Can't find driver software, Could not find driver software, Unable to find driver software, Unable to locate driver software
  • Not enough memory, Insufficient memory, There is not enough memory, There is not enough memory available -> (+) Cuimhne lán
  • … is not available, … is unavailable -> (+) Níl fáil ar an ordú.; for The command is not available, The command is unavailable
  • Anticipate what will replace a placeholder so the sentence stays grammatical.
  • %d, %ld, %u, %lu mean <number>; %c means <letter>; %s means <string>.
  • "Checking Web %1!d! of %2!d!" means "Checking Web <number> of <number>."
  • "INI file "%1!-.200s!" section" means "INI file "<string>" section."
  • Irish adjectives agree with nouns, so where the noun is a placeholder the exact string may matter for inflecting an adjective. Most source strings already avoid modifying a placeholder with an adjective.
  • Replace invalid %s? (Replace invalid data?, Replace invalid file?) -> (+) Ionadaigh %s neamhbhailí?
  • %s already exists (File already exists, Name already exists) -> (+) Is ann don %s cheana.
  • %s is now set as your personal contact. (Regina is now set as your personal contact, Mr. Kim is now set as your personal contact) -> (+) Tá %s socraithe anois mar do theagmhálaí pearsanta.
  • %s stopped working and was closed (The application stopped working and was closed, The program stopped working and was closed) -> (+) Stop an %s ag obair agus dúnadh é.

Keys

  • Key names, including arrow keys, function keys and numeric keys, appear in normal text, not small caps. Follow this in Irish.
  • Refer to key names as they appear on the keyboard.
  • Alt -> Alt
  • Backspace -> Backspace
  • Break -> Break
  • Caps Lock -> Caps Lock
  • Ctrl -> Control
  • Delete -> Delete
  • Down Arrow -> Saighead Síos
  • End -> End
  • Enter -> Enter
  • Esc -> Esc
  • Home -> Home
  • Insert -> Insert
  • Left Arrow -> Saighead Chlé
  • Num Lock -> Num Lock
  • Page Down -> Page Down
  • Page Up -> Page Up
  • Pause -> Pause
  • Right Arrow -> Saighead Dheas
  • Scroll Lock -> Scroll Lock
  • Shift -> Shift
  • Spacebar -> Spásbharra
  • Tab -> Tab
  • Up Arrow -> Saighead Suas
  • Windows key -> Eochair Windows
  • Menu Key -> Eochair Roghchláir
  • Print Screen -> Print Screen

Keyboard shortcuts

  • Underlined or highlighted letters in menu options, commands or dialog boxes are keyboard shortcuts, also known as access keys.
  • Slim characters such as I, l, t, r, f: allowed; normal practice in Irish.
  • Downstroke characters such as g, j, y, p, q: allowed, but only g, j and p apply in Irish and it is better to avoid them.
  • Extended characters: not allowed; Irish uses a length accent (síneadh fada) on vowels.
  • An additional letter in brackets after the item name: not allowed; the practice is not known in Irish.
  • A number in brackets after the item name: allowed.
  • A punctuation sign in brackets after the item name: not allowed; the practice is not known in Irish.
  • Duplicate keyboard shortcuts when no other character is available: not allowed.
  • No keyboard shortcut assigned when no characters remain (minor options only): not allowed.
  • Any character without a downstroke may be used, as long as the same letter is not used twice in one menu. Prefer small letters; capitals need an extra keystroke.
  • access key: a subtype of keyboard shortcut. A letter or number the user types to reach UI controls with text labels, assigned to top-level controls so the user can move through the UI quickly. Example: F in Alt+F. In UI localization: H&ome. Most access keys use the Alt key.
  • key tip: the letter or number that appears in the ribbon when Alt is pressed. In UI localization it is the last character after the ` character: Home`H
  • shortcut key: a subtype of keyboard shortcut. A key the user types to perform a common action without going through the UI; not available for every command. Example: Ctrl+N, Ctrl+V. Most shortcut keys use the Ctrl key. Ctrl+letter combinations and function keys F1 through F12 are the best choices.

English pronunciation

  • Pronounce unlocalized English terms and product names the English way; Microsoft keeps its English pronunciation. Where Irish has an established pronunciation for a common term such as server, use it. Adapt pronunciation to the Irish phonetic system where the original sounds very awkward.
  • SecurID -> [sı'kjuər aı di:], pronounced the English way
  • .NET -> [dot net], a product name, pronounced the English way
  • Skype -> [skaɪp]; product names are pronounced in Irish as in the source language
  • Pronounce acronyms like real words, adapted to local pronunciation: RADIUS -> [ˈreɪdjəs]; LAN -> [læn]; WAN -> [wɒn], all the English way.
  • Pronounce other abbreviations letter by letter, the English way: ICMP -> [aɪ si: em pi:]; IP -> [aɪ pi:]; TCP/IP -> [ti: si: pi: aɪ pi:]; XML -> [eks em el]; HTML -> [eɪtò ti: em el]
  • URLs: omit http:// and read the rest entirely. Pronounce www as www. Omit the dot, or read it out the Irish way as ponc.
  • http://www.microsoft.com -> www ponc microsoft ponc com
  • Most punctuation marks (? ! : ; ,) are implied by the sound of the voice.
  • An en dash (–) emphasizes an isolated element. Pronounce it as a comma, a short pause.
  • Pronounce special characters such as / \ ˘ < > + - with the approved Irish translations.

Local usage

Keep terminology consistent across interface components and distinguish software commands from marketing prose. Review decisions in context: a form chosen for a short label is not automatically the right form for an article.