en The password isn’t correct, so try again. Passwords are case-sensitive. -> gl O contrasinal non é correcto, téntao de novo. Os contrasinais distinguen entre maiúsculas e minúsculas.
en This product key didn’t work. Check it and try again. -> gl A clave do produto non funciona. Bótalle outra ollada e proba de novo.
en All ready to go -> gl Preparado.
en Would you like to continue? -> gl Queres continuar?
en Give your PC a name—any name you want. If you want to change the background color, turn high contrast off in PC settings. -> gl Ponlle un nome ao computador. Ti elixes. Se queres cambiar a cor do fondo, apaga o contraste alto na configuración do computador.
en The updates are installed, but Windows 11 Setup needs to restart for them to work. After it restarts, we’ll keep going from where we left off. -> gl Instaláronse as actualizacións pero o programa de instalación de Windows 11 ten que reiniciar o equipo para que funcione. Tras facer isto, retomaremos o traballo xusto onde o deixamos.
en If you restart now, you and any other people using this PC could lose unsaved work. -> gl Se reinicias agora o PC, todos os usuarios que esteades a usalo poderiades perder o traballo non gardado.
en This document will be automatically moved to the right library and folder after you correct invalid or missing properties. -> gl O documento levarase automaticamente ao cartafol ou á biblioteca pertinente unha vez corrixidas as propiedades non válidas ou as que faltan.
en Something bad happened! Unable to locate downloaded files to create your bootable USB flash drive. -> gl Vaites! Algo non foi ben. Non podemos atopar os ficheiros que baixaches para crear unha unidade flash USB de arranque.
en 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. -> gl O contrasinal por imaxe é unha nova maneira de axudarche a protexer o teu computador de pantalla táctil. Ti escolles a imaxe (e os xestos que a acompañan) para crear un contrasinal que é unicamente teu.
en Let apps give you personalized content based on your PC’s location, name, account picture, and other domain info. -> gl As aplicacións pódenche proporcionar contidos personalizados segundo onde te atopes, o teu nome, a imaxe da conta e outra información do dominio.
en To go back and save your work, click Cancel, and finish what you need to. -> gl Para volver e gardar o teu traballo, preme Cancelar e finaliza o que necesites.
en To confirm your current picture password, just watch the replay, and trace the example gestures shown on your picture. -> gl Para confirmar o contrasinal por imaxe actual, ve a repetición e traza os xestos de exemplo que se mostran na túa imaxe.
en It’s time to enter the product key. When you connect to the internet, we’ll activate Windows for you. -> gl Chegou o momento de introducires a clave do produto. Cando te conectes a Internet, activaremos Windows.
Use plain language: straightforward, concrete, familiar words. Prefer a two-syllable word over a three-syllable one, several clear words over one complicated term.
Name only cities, countries, regions that are not politically disputed. Use equivalent references; do not mix countries with states or continents.
Show diverse people and circumstances in text and images, in many professions, educational settings, locales, economic settings.
Never generalize or stereotype by region, culture, age, gender, not even positively. For job roles, choose names reflecting varied gender identities and cultural backgrounds.
No profane or derogatory terms.
No slang that could be cultural appropriation.
No terms carrying unconscious racial bias, none tied to military actions, politics, controversial historical events or eras.
en master/slave -> primary/subordinate; gl mestre/escravo -> principal/subordinado
en demilitarized zone (DMZ) -> perimeter network; gl zona desmilitarizada (DMZ) -> rede de perímetro
en hang -> stop responding; gl colgarse -> deixar de responder
en guru -> expert; gl gurú -> experto
en guys; ladies and gentlemen -> colleagues; everyone; all; gl mozos; damas e cabaleiros -> compañeiros/colegas; todos
en parents -> family; gl pais -> familia/pais e nais
Todos os alumnos aprobaron -> A totalidade do alumnado aprobou
Ningún repetiu -> Ninguén repetiu
Rewrite relative pronouns with definite articles as a neutral form (quen, calquera, alguén) or the generic persoa.
O que solicite a beca... -> Quen solicite a beca..., As persoas que soliciten a beca..., Calquera que solicite, Cando alguén solicite
Replace do(s) mesmo(s) with the possessive seu(s) before the noun.
No defecto do mesmo, recorrerase a… -> No seu defecto, recorrerase a…
...e a lei regula a aplicación dos mesmos -> ...e a lei regula a súa aplicación
Replace nouns, adjectives, participles with nouns of the same family.
Estás obrigado a… -> Tes a obriga de…
Está atento -> Presta atención
Os interesados... -> As persoas que teñan interese...
Turn passive sentences into active ones.
O presidente será elixido polo Congreso -> O Congreso elixirá a presidencia
Estás obrigado a... -> Tes que...
For a real person use the pronouns that person prefers: el, ela, or another. Gendered pronouns and contractions are OK for real people who use them: el, ela, eles, elas, nel, nela, neles, nelas, del, dela, deles, delas.
Avoid sentences about a single person of unknown gender; make the subject plural. When unavoidable, do not use el ou ela, o ou a, usuario ou usuaria, and do not combine genders with slashes: el/ela, o/a, usuario/a (exceptions occur, such as License Terms).
Never use @ when the gender is unknown.
en A custom dictionary can only be used by the user who created it.: O dicionario personalizado pode utilizalo o usuario/a que o creou. -> O dicionario personalizado pode utilizalo quen o creou., O dicionario personalizado pode utilizalo a persoa que o creou.
en The user who uses this feature...: O usuario/a que utiliza esta característica... -> Os usuarios desta característica...
en Even if you are not a statistician, Microsoft Excel offers you...: Aínda que non sexas estatístico/a, Microsoft Excel ofréceche... -> Aínda que non domines a estatística, con Microsoft Excel podes...
en Some of the best snapshots could be made because the photographer...: Algunhas das mellores instantáneas creáronse porque o fotógrafo/a... -> Algunhas das mellores instantáneas creáronse porque a persoa que tirou a fotografía...
en Create an appealing and secure shopping environment for your customers.: Crea un contorno de compra seguro e atractivo para os teus clientes. -> Crea un contorno de compra seguro e atractivo para a túa clientela.
Welcome screen: omit welcome and congratulation expressions; not idiomatic in Galician. Same for please. benvido is controversial over gender; when it cannot be omitted use benvido/a.
Abbreviate in the UI (mainly button and option names) only for lack of space.
In help and documentation spell out abbreviations and acronyms on first mention, unless trademarks or well-known industry standards such as JPG or USB. Include the Galician translation, the US English term, the initialization.
The UI rarely fits all three terms. Spell out and localize the initialization on first mention only in wizards. With space constraints or no first occurrence, judge whether to keep or spell out. Users differ in technical knowledge: a specialist user understands LD, a general user needs lista de distribución.
Write abbreviations in lowercase, ending with a consonant and a period, unless a scientific symbol or unit of measurement.
Write initializations in uppercase without periods.
Use abbreviations and initializations consistently across the project, not extensively. Ask the language coordinator when unsure.
Many standardized abbreviations and initializations stay untranslated. Add the spelled-out English term only when the initialization needs explaining.
Use the well-known translation where a Galician one is better known.
Acronym examples: WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get), DNS (Domain Name Server), HTML (Hypertext Markup Language).
Write initializations in uppercase without periods.
Spell out acronyms and abbreviations on first mention, unless trademarks or well-known industry standards such as JPG or USB.
Never create a new initialization from the translated term.
Never replace an English initialization with a Galician one; keep the English form.
Internet Information Services (IIS) -> Servizos de información de internet (IIS)
SSO -> SSO
PC -> PC
Gender of an acronym is that of the main word in the syntagm: a (memoria) RAM, a (rede) LAN, o (número) PIN. Context can change it: a (linguaxe) HTML, o (formato) HTML.
Acronyms take no plural. Mark the plural on preceding articles or nouns, or on following adjectives: as (redes) LAN configuradas, os (números) PIN introducido,. No genitive for plurals.
Localized: en UI -> gl IU (interface de usuario); en OS -> gl SO (sistema operativo); en IT -> gl TI (tecnoloxías da información).
Unlocalized, keep as is: SQL, UTF-8, URL, 2FA, HTML, GPU, CPU, IP, DNS.
Some English verbs translate as nouns or adjectives, by context.
Do not create new verbs when another part of speech works. Avoid literal translations; use different structures or parts of speech when that sounds natural.
Translate English possessives as articles: your mouse -> o rato, your application -> a aplicación.
My terminology: leave out the possessive (My TV -> TV). Keep the term used for one product in the next version when the source is unchanged.
Nouns and adjectives agree. Masculine noun + feminine noun + shared adjective takes masculine plural: en open windows and programs -> gl programas e ventás abertos (programa masculine, ventá feminine).
When the noun is a placeholder, know the exact string so the adjective inflects correctly.
Use articles in complete sentences (ending with a period or containing a conjugated verb).
No articles when the string is not a complete sentence: field descriptions, field property descriptions, some error messages.
No articles in titles and headings.
Proper nouns take no article unless the article is part of the name.
Avoid the second form of the article. Write Non se pode eliminar o documento, not Non se pode elimina-lo documento.
Write the second form with the preposition por (polo, pola, polos, polas) and the adverb u (u-lo, u-la, u-los, u-las). It is used unwritten in speech after verb forms ending in -r or -s, the pronouns nós and vós, the words ambos, entrambos, todos, the preposition tras, the conjunction e mais.
Use the article in relative constructions (preposition + article + relative pronoun): A data na que se creou o documento (not A data en que se creou o documento); Seleccione os parágrafos nos que quere facer cambios (not Seleccione os parágrafos en que quere facer cambios).
No articles before unlocalized product names; they are proper nouns. No articles before placeholders that receive product names.
en Microsoft -> gl Microsoft. Avoid a Microsoft.
en Word -> gl Word. Avoid o Word.
en Microsoft Viva Topics -> gl Microsoft Viva Topics.
en Uninstalling %s... -> gl Desinstalando %s.... The placeholder may take a masculine, feminine, plural, or proper name.
Check the reference material for approved product and component names; ask the language coordinator for the list of translated and untranslated names.
Articles can precede feature names based on generic terms, when language rules require.
en Microsoft Download Center -> gl Centro de descargas de Microsoft; with article o Centro de descargas de Microsoft
en File Explorer -> gl Explorador de ficheiros; with article o Explorador de ficheiros
en Accessibility Wizard -> gl Asistente de accesibilidade; with article o Asistente de accesibilidade
Choose the article for an English loanword by motivation (features fitting the Galician noun class system), analogy (an equivalent Galician term), frequency (usage in other technical documentation). In technical contexts loanwords may follow the Galician rules for articles, gender, number.
Some English words have a Galician equivalent: nickname (alcume). Some adapt to Galician rules: boolean (booleano), trojan (troiano). Some take a syntagmatic translation: email (correo electrónico), spyware (programa espía). Some need a semantic translation: locale (configuración rexional), ampersand (signo &), phishing (suplantación de identidade).
en web -> gl o/a web. Mainly an adjective, invariable (o sitio web, as páxinas web). As a noun, identify the referent (site or page) to pick gender and number (os webs, a web).
en interface -> gl a interface. Feminine, variable in number (a interface, as interfaces).
en cache -> gl a caché. Feminine, variable in number (a caché, as cachés). Galician accentuation.
en codec -> gl o códec. From codificador-descodificador. Masculine, variable (o códec, os códecs).
en zoom -> gl o zoom. Masculine, variable (o zoom, os zooms).
en copyright -> gl o copyright. Masculine, variable (o copyright, os copyrights). Can be dereitos de autor.
en buffer -> gl o búfer. Masculine, variable (o búfer, os búferes). Galician accentuation.
Do not copy source capitalization. Apply Galician conventions.
When a capitalized English noun becomes two or more words, capitalize the first word only.
Some words are capitalized in English but not in Galician, such as Web.
Capitalize the first target word when the first source word is capitalized; keep it lowercase when the source is lowercase. Exceptions follow.
Capitalize proper nouns (apps, wizards, programs): Microsoft Outlook, Excel. Lowercase generic terms: folla de cálculo de Microsoft Excel.
Capitalize the first word of a compound at the start of a sentence; not always mid-sentence.
Capitalize place names (Brasil, Francia); lowercase language names (portugués, francés).
Capitalize title abbreviations (Sr., Sra.); lowercase spelled-out titles (don, dona).
Lowercase company titles and positions: presidente/a.
Lowercase time references: xoves, febreiro, primavera.
Lowercase measurement units: hertz, xigabytes, segundos. Follow established conventions for symbols.
Capitalize menu and option names and the names of dialog boxes, buttons, sections: menú Ferramentas, prema en Aceptar. No quotes with this convention, even when the source uses them.
en Microsoft Home Page -> gl Páxina principal de Microsoft
en Press CTRL+R. -> gl Preme CTRL+R.
en Sort Options -> gl Opcións de ordenación
en Protect Shared Workbook -> gl Protexer libro compartido
en If this is correct, choose Next -> gl Se é correcto, escolle Seguinte
Some strings are concatenated at runtime and start mid-sentence. Do not start such strings with a capital.
English headings sometimes capitalize nouns, pronouns, adjectives, verbs, adverbs, subordinate conjunctions (that, until, which). Do not copy this in Galician headings or software strings.
Keep compounds clear. Avoid long or complex compounds.
Galician forms new words mainly by derivation: previsualización, renomear, formatación. English hyphenates (bi-directional, auto-capitalizing); Galician does not.
Translate forms like built-in, frequently-used, command-line with syntagmatic expressions, following Galician word formation, or give a semantic translation. Keep it idiomatic.
Create periphrastic constructions or full sentences when needed. Be concise without losing meaning.
In English strings of several nouns and adjectives, identify the head noun and the modifiers. Capitalize per Galician rules.
en Xbox Accounts -> gl Xbox de internet
en Kinect sign-in -> gl Iniciar sesión con Kinect
en Mailbox Server Name -> gl Nome do servidor da caixa de correo
Look compounds up in reference documents. Use partial or combined searches to check the identification or a wrong source term.
Use correct Galician word order; capitalize only when needed.
en Visio desktop and web app: Escritorio de Visio e aplicación web -> Aplicación de escritorio e web de Visio
en Untitled Narration: Sen título Narración -> Narración sen título
en Red Eyes: Ollos Vermellos -> Ollos vermellos
en New Collection Folder: Cartafol de nova colección -> Cartafol Nova colección
en Search Help: Buscar axuda -> Buscar na Axuda
en View Menu: Ver menú -> Menú Ver
en Microsoft Software License Terms: Termos de licenza para Software Microsoft -> Termos de licenza do software de Microsoft
Product and component names stay unchanged and capitalized. Microsoft, Windows, DirectX are always capitalized; in wizard names only the first word: Asistente de gráficas. Add prepositions to link the compound.
en Windows password -> gl Contrasinal de Windows
en Microsoft Word document -> gl Documento de Microsoft Word
en Microsoft SQL Server Database -> gl Base de datos de Microsoft SQL Server
en SQL query file -> gl Ficheiro de consulta SQL
With abbreviations and numerals, add the linking particle, often a preposition: garabato en 3D. Put a space between numeral and unit. Most units take no period, except at the end of a sentence.
en 3D Fly In -> gl Voo de entrada en 3D
en 8-bit integer -> gl Número enteiro de 8 bits
en 24 bit color value -> gl Valor de cor de 24 bits
en 7200 RPM HDD -> gl Unidade de disco ríxido de 7200 revolucións por minuto
Use conjunctions for a friendly, conversational tone. Starting a sentence with one is informal and acceptable.
Remove conjunctions and reword when that improves flow and clarity.
Así mesmo, pode actualizar o contorno. -> Tamén podes actualizar o contorno.
Nestes intres non se pode engadir un computador de confianza. -> Agora non podes engadir un computador de confianza.
Este dispositivo non pode acceder ao seu contido multimedia cando o seu computador entra en modo de suspensión. -> Este dispositivo non pode acceder aos teus ficheiros se o teu computador está suspendido.
Aínda así, permite que este computador se mostre e se localice na rede. -> Igualmente, permíteche ver e atopar o computador na rede.
Non obstante, pode seguir tirando proveito dos servizos de Viva Insights creando unha nova conta de Microsoft Viva Insights. -> Pero podes aproveitar os servizos de Viva Insights cunha nova conta de Microsoft Viva Insights.
Use the second form of the article (lo, la, los, las) in speech after e mais.
Create periphrastic constructions or complete sentences to render the source meaning. In strings of several nouns and adjectives, identify the head noun and the modifiers.
Derivative negative markers are common with some adjectives (invisible, incorrecto, desactivado, desinstalado) and verbs (desbloquear, desprotexer, desinstalar). Do not overuse them, especially when the negative term is absent from the reference sources.
New nouns from verbs: en cipher -> cifrar, cifraxe; en format -> formatar, formatación; en mark -> marcar, marcación; en monitor -> monitorar, monitoraxe; en virtualize -> virtualizar, virtualización.
-aría and -ería are both valid (enxeñaría, enxeñería; pirataría, piratería). Prefer -aría.
Use prepositions correctly. Do not omit them or change word order under source influence.
Use simpler prepositions instead of extended prepositional phrases.
A utilización de HTTPS axudará a manter a súa conta segura fronte aos hackers, en especial se utiliza normalmente computadores públicos ou conexións sen fíos inseguras. -> Con HTTPS poderás manter a túa conta segura contra hackers, en especial se utilizas computadores públicos ou conexións sen fíos inseguras.
Non é posible continuar a executar o programa. A causa de que se detivese é a seguinte: -> Non é posible continuar a executar o programa. Detívose pola seguinte causa:
Interrompeuse a operación por causa de que se creou, eliminou ou renomeou unha subweb durante a mesma. -> Interrompeuse a operación porque se creou, eliminou ou renomeou unha subweb durante esta.
Translate prepositional phrases by context. Avoid anglicisms.
en associate with -> gl asociar a; change to -> cambiar a; click on -> premer en; connect to -> conectar a; export to -> exportar a; export from -> exportar desde; import to -> importar a; import from -> importar desde; migrate to -> migrar a; migrate from -> migrar desde; update to -> actualizar a; upgrade to -> actualizar a; welcome to... -> benvido/a a.
Use premer en for on-screen actions, premer for physical buttons (keyboard, mouse).
Never use noun + a + infinitive or noun + para + infinitive; both are incorrect.
Never coordinate two verbs needing different prepositions: correo enviado a e recibido de is incorrect.
en in the toolbar -> gl na barra de ferramentas; generic also da barra de ferramentas.
en on the tab -> gl no separador; generic also do separador.
en on the menu -> gl no menú; generic also do menú.
en on the net -> gl na rede; generic also da rede.
en on the web -> gl no web / na web; generic also do web / da web.
en on a website -> gl nun sitio web; generic also dun sitio web.
en on a web page -> gl nunha páxina web; generic also dunha páxina web.
Use ao(s), not ó(s), in all cases. Always pronounced /ɔ/.
Use the second form of the article with por: polo, pola, polos, polas.
Use first-person and second-person pronouns. Use the infinitive when the user tells the program or a wizard what to do. Use che/te to address users personally.
en You can change when new updates get installed. -> gl Podes elixir cando instalar as actualizacións.
en Choose one of these schemes or make your own. -> gl Elixe un dos temas ou crea un propio.
en Remember my password -> gl Recordar o meu contrasinal
en Tell me when a new Bluetooth device tries to connect to my PC -> gl Avisarme cando un novo dispositivo Bluetooth tente conectarse ao meu computador.
en We recommend that you back up your files on a regular schedule. -> gl Recomendámosche que fagas unha copia de seguranza dos teus ficheiros regularmente.
en We strongly discourage you from installing these codec packs. -> gl Recomendámosche que non instales estes paquetes de códecs.
en We can't find a printer. Do you want to add one? -> gl Non podemos atopar a impresora. Queres engadila?
en The information we collect won't be used to personally identify you. -> gl A información que recompilamos non se usará para identificarte.
Use an informal tone. Use the second person, and omit the subject pronoun ti where possible.
Place the pronoun proclitically or enclitically as the structure requires. When both are correct, stay consistent.
Follow the normative rules. Put a space after commas and periods.
Bulleted lists: end each element with a period when the elements are complete sentences.
When elements continue an introductory clause, begin each with a lowercase letter and end with a semicolon, except the last, which ends with a period.
Short bulleted elements need no punctuation.
No comma after a conjunction (e, nin, ou), with very few exceptions in the normative sources.
No comma before etc.; the conjunction et is implicit.
No comma between subject and predicate.
Use a comma between the place name and the date in letters: Santiago, 25 de xaneiro de 2022. No preposition after the comma.
Use a comma for decimals.
Put a space after the colon. Do not capitalize the word after a colon, except in letter salutations or before a list of complete sentences.
Separate hours, minutes, seconds with a colon (18:30), not a period.
Never use semicolons.
Hyphen: divides words between syllables, links parts of a compound, connects the parts of an inverted or imperative verb form. Follow the normative rules.
En dash: minus sign, usually with spaces around it; number ranges such as page numbers, with no spaces. Generally not used in Galician.
Em dash: emphasizes an isolated element or introduces a non-essential one. Generally not used in Galician. Use commas or parentheses instead.
Follow the normative rules for the ellipsis. Remove all spaces before it, even when the source has one.
en Predefined ... -> gl Predefinidos...
en Browse ... -> gl Explorar...
Keep the ellipsis on command names that open a dialog window.
Use a period at the end of a complete sentence and at the end of abbreviations.
A period can be a thousands separator (6.520), but prefer a space. Years and page numbers take no thousands separator. Four-digit numbers take none.
No period after IS measurement units, unless at the end of a complete sentence.
No period with acronyms.
No period after question marks, exclamation points, or an ellipsis.
No period in titles or headings.
Bulleted items that are complete sentences each end with a period.
Bulleted items that continue an introductory clause take no period.
List items that are neither sentences nor continuations (chapters, sections, products, system requirements) take no period.
When the translation is longer than the source, or split into several sentences, insert a period if it improves the style.
Never put a period after just one word.
The same period conventions apply to instruction lists, captions, callouts.
Source strings may surround software references with English quotation marks.
Do not use angle brackets <> instead of quotation marks.
Put the period, comma, question mark, exclamation point outside the quotation marks, unlike English.
Parentheses hold supplementary information. No space inside the parentheses; leave a blank before and after them. Punctuation inside parentheses or brackets is independent of the rest of the text.
Put question marks and exclamation points only at the end of the string. Avoid exclamation points; choose stronger words.
Prefer the simple present. Use the future only for something that really will happen. Use the simple past for events that already happened.
Use conjugated verbs in complete sentences (with a period) and the second person (ti). Use verb forms consistently, especially in instructions.
en Your file has been saved, but you might experience problems when you try to open it. -> gl Gardouse o ficheiro, pero pode ser que experimentes algún problema ao abrilo.
en Use these settings to customize your search experience for this search service. -> gl Usa esta configuración para personalizar a túa experiencia de busca neste servizo.
en To apply these settings, click Next. -> gl Para aplicar esta configuración, preme Seguinte.
Use the first person (eu, me, meu) when the customer tells the program or a wizard what to do. Use the second person (ti, teu) when the program tells the customer what to do.
en Alert me when this file is modified. -> gl Avísame cando se modifique o ficheiro.
Use nós in place of a product or company name when users can imagine people behind the action, to describe an action by the team, and to take responsibility for bad news. With bad news add sentímolo and helpful advice.
Use recomendámoslle for specific recommendations by the organization.
Do not overuse the first person. Where you can be conversational and warm without we, drop it; often you can drop the subject entirely.
en If you accept, we’ll collect anonymous information about your hardware configuration…: not Deberías aceptar para que se recollan datos anónimos sobre a túa configuración de hardware… -> Se aceptas, recolleremos información anónima sobre a túa configuración de hardware…
en We strongly recommend you to…: not Recoméndase... -> Recomendámosche encarecidamente que…
en We’re sorry but the ‘|’ table was truncated and data was lost.: not A táboa ‘|’ estaba danada. Perdéronse algúns datos. -> Sentímolo, pero a táboa ‘|’ estaba danada e perdéronse algúns datos.
Avoid the future tense unless something really will happen, or a conditional clause requires it. Periphrastic clauses can express the future.
Despois de terminar de instalar a ferramenta, a icona aparecerá no teu escritorio. -> Cando instalas a ferramenta, a icona aparece no teu escritorio.
Se está a ter algún problema, pode pechar esta mensaxe e tentar conectarse de novo. -> Se tes algún problema, pecha esta mensaxe e tenta conectarte de novo.
Cando abra a ventá, aparecerán as iconas. -> Cando abres a ventá, aparecen as iconas.
Ao iniciar a copia de seguranza, crearanse varios ficheiros cos teus cartafoles. -> Ao comezar a copia de seguranza, estarás a crear varios ficheiros cos teus cartafoles.
Do not use gerunds or the passive voice as a rule; they are not idiomatic.
Some English verbs translate as nouns or adjectives by context. Avoid creating verbs or verb forms when another part of speech works.
Translate option names consistently; use the same part of speech for all items in one list, dialog box, or table. Ask the language coordinator about standardizing legacy inconsistencies.
Parallel: Escoita, Mira, Comparte, Colecciona are all single-word imperatives.
Not parallel: Música, Vídeo, Comparte, Escoita mix nouns and verbs.
Parallel: Selecciona toda a palabra, Formata o lenzo de deseño are both imperative.
Not parallel: Selección de toda a palabra, Formata o lenzo de deseño mix a noun phrase and an imperative.
Specify the object with transitive verbs.
en Correct the problem and try again.: Corrixe o problema e tenta de novo. -> Corrixe o problema e téntao de novo.
en Try Again: Tenta novamente -> Téntao novamente
Do not coordinate two verbs needing different prepositions with a shared complement: correo enviado a e recibido de.
Prefer the active voice over the passive.
en Text format cells are treated as text even when a number is in the cell. The cell is displayed exactly as entered.: passive As celas con formato de texto son tratadas como texto mesmo cando conteñen números. A cela é mostrada exactamente como foi introducida. -> active As celas con formato de texto trátanse como texto mesmo cando conteñen números. A cela móstrase exactamente como se introduciu.
en This font is designed for use with a pen.: passive Este tipo de letra foi deseñado para ser utilizado cun lapis. -> active Este tipo de letra deseñouse para o seu uso cun lapis.
Progress messages use -ing plus three dots in English. Choose a Galician tense or aspect expressing the ongoing action. This is one of the few places the gerund is allowed.
en Scanning Files -> gl Explorando ficheiros...
en Opening message -> gl Abrindo mensaxe...
Avoid excessive gerunds; break up sentences.
Do not use the gerund to mark a noun with an adjective quality.
Do not use the gerund as a coordinating element linking consecutive actions.
Do not use the gerund in titles and section headings. Use nouns or infinitives, unless the action is in progress (marked by the ellipsis).
Do not use the gerund in links. Use the infinitive.
Do not translate topic titles with verbs. Use nominative forms.
Adapt the text to the local language, customs, standards.
The language must have the look and feel of a product originally written in Galician, with idiomatic syntax and terminology and high terminological consistency.
Avoid literal translations in software and help files. Readers unfamiliar with IT jargon must understand the text immediately.
Reword every sentence that is not perfectly clear in Galician.
Rework every sentence that sounds like a translation.
Break long sentences into smaller parts.
Reword technical terms and IT jargon in an easy, understandable way, unless already common.
Apply the voice principles so the translation sounds natural and empathetic.
en Something went wrong -> gl Houbo algún problema
en Not enough memory to process this command. -> gl Non hai memoria suficiente para procesar este comando.
Use consistent terminology and style. Do not translate messages as they appear in the source.
Translate dialog boxes and error messages with a verbal form. Prefer the active voice.
Use Sentímolo only for a serious problem (data loss, the customer cannot keep using the computer) or when a product or service fails. Never for a problem during normal functioning.
An error message often has two items: a phrase explaining the problem, and a sentence stating the consequences or the fix. English separates them with a period, comma, colon, or semicolon; Galician uses a period. Translate the first item by the general rules, the second as a complete sentence ending in a period.
en Cannot …, Could not … -> gl Non se pode...; Non se pode atopar o ficheiro.
en Failed to …, Failure of … -> gl Non se pode...; Non se pode conectar.
en Cannot find …, Could not find …, Unable to find …, Unable to locate … -> gl Non se pode atopar...; Non se pode atopar o software do controlador.
en Not enough memory, Insufficient memory, There is not enough memory, There is not enough memory available -> gl Memoria insuficiente for general messages; a verb phrase for complete sentences: Non hai memoria suficiente para...
en ... is not available, ... is unavailable -> gl ... non está dispoñible; O comando non está dispoñible.
Use impersonal verbs for an action that could not be completed or an item that could not be found: Non se pode..., Non hai.... For incomplete sentences, noun phrases with a negative particle work: insuficiente, incorrecto, non válido, non definido.... Some negative words carry stronger or unintended connotations: inválido, ilegal.
Find out what replaces 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."
%d minute(s) remaining -> user sees 3 minute(s) remaining
Dialing %s... -> user sees Dialing business phone
The disk in drive %c: cannot be formatted. -> user sees The disk in drive C: cannot be formatted.
English places placeholders where they naturally occur; numeral placeholders usually precede the noun, as in Galician. Verify each case and move words when needed.
en %u hours ago -> gl Hai %u horas
Adjectives and nouns agree, so know the exact placeholder string before inflecting a preceding adjective. Reword to avoid an ungrammatical sentence.
en %s already exists (File already exists, Name already exists) -> gl %s xa existe
en %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.) -> gl Configurouse %s como o teu contacto persoal
en %s stopped working and was closed (The application stopped working and was closed, The program stopped working and was closed) -> gl %s deixou de funcionar e pechouse.
Describe the action before the purpose. To skip creating your startup disk, click Cancel becomes Click Cancel to skip creating your startup disk. Replace passive constructions with active ones. Ask the language coordinator about updating inconsistent legacy strings.
en Setup encountered an error while creating your startup disk. -> gl Produciuse un erro no programa de instalación ao crear o disco de inicio. Avoid personified subjects where the context allows omission.
en Setup cannot find the remote computer. -> gl O programa de instalación non pode atopar o computador remoto.Non se pode atopar o computador remoto works when the reference to Setup stays clear.
en Setup cannot get disk information. -> gl O programa de instalación non pode obter a información do disco. Rephrase and change word order when necessary.
en Remove any existing settings to free space. -> gl Elimina a configuración existente para liberar espazo
en Attempt to remove current directory -> gl Intenta eliminar o directorio actual
Translate verbs in error messages consistently. Omit the predicate be when the sentence stays grammatical, consistently across all messages. Be concise without changing the meaning.
en The document is too large., Document too large. -> gl O documento é demasiado grande.
en Access was denied., Access denied. -> gl Denegouse o acceso.
In complete sentences, use verbs and the same tense as the source.
en The file '%s' is an unknown graphics format. -> gl O ficheiro '%s' ten un formato de gráficas descoñecido. Rephrase is as have when needed.
en The application may attempt to convert the graphic. -> gl A aplicación pode intentar converter a gráfica.may + verb becomes pode + verb.
en A problem occurred while trying to connect to the network share '%1!s!'. -> gl Produciuse un problema ao intentar conectar co compartimento de rede %1!s!'. Shorten to Produciuse un problema ao conectarse...
en The following error occurred: '%1!s!' (error #%2!lx!) -> gl Produciuse o seguinte erro: '%1!s!' (erro #%2!lx!) Shorten to Erro: '%1!s!' (erro #%2!lx!)
en An unknown error has occurred./ No error occurred. -> gl Produciuse un erro descoñecido. / Non se produciu ningún erro. Shorten incomplete sentences to Erro descoñecido. / Sen erros
Specify the object with transitive verbs: Corrixe o problema e tenta de novo. -> Corrixe o problema e téntao de novo.; Tenta novamente -> Téntao novamente
Underlined or highlighted letters in menu options, commands, dialog boxes are keyboard shortcuts. Examples: New, Cancel, Options.
Slim characters I, l, t, r, f: allowed, not recommended.
Characters with downstrokes g, j, y, p, q: allowed, not recommended.
Extended characters: not allowed. Most need two key strokes (except ñ); only single strokes are allowed.
An additional letter in brackets after the item name: not allowed.
A number in brackets after the item name: not allowed.
A punctuation sign in brackets after the item name: not allowed.
Duplicate keyboard shortcuts: allowed only as the last choice, when no other character is available. Consider rewording the string.
No keyboard shortcut assigned when no characters are left: allowed, for minor options only.
Access key: a letter or number the user types to reach UI controls with text labels, assigned to top-level controls. Example: F in Alt+F; in UI localization H&ome. Most access keys use Alt.
Key tip: the letter or number shown in the ribbon when Alt is pressed. In UI localization it is the last character after the ` character. Example: Home`H.
Shortcut key: a key the user types to perform a common action without the UI. Not available for every command. Examples: Ctrl+N, Ctrl+V. Most use Ctrl. Ctrl+letter and F1-F12 are the best choices.
Only single-stroke characters can be used.
Preferred shortcut characters, not case-sensitive: A, E, O, U, B, C, D, H, M, N, S, V, X, Z.
Allowed shortcut characters, case-sensitive: F, G, I, L, P, Q, R, T.
Assign shortcuts toward the left of the word in strings higher up in the dialog box. With two Explorar buttons in one dialog box, the upper takes &Explorar, the lower E&xplorar.
Standardize shortcuts: one per common instruction, used consistently.
en Right -> inconsistency Dereita
en Delete`D -> inconsistencies Eliminar`A, Eliminar`D, Eliminar`E, Eliminar`L, Eliminar`M
Pronounce unlocalized English terms and product names as English words. Adapt when the original sounds awkward in Galician: Microsoft['maikrosoft] becomes [mikro'soft].
Skype: [es'kaip]
Pronounce acronyms as real words, adapted to local pronunciation.
RADIUS: ['raðjus]
RAS: ['ras]
ISA: ['isa]
LAN: ['laŋ]
Pronounce other abbreviations letter by letter in the target language.
IP: ['i 'pe]
XML: [ʃe eme ele]
HTML: ['atʃ e 'te 'ɛme 'ɛle]
Leave out http://; read the rest of the URL aloud.
Pronounce www as ['uβe 'ðoβɾe 'uβe 'ðoβɾe 'uβe 'ðoβɾe].
Omit the dot, or read it aloud the Galician way as ['puŋto].
The speaker's tone implies most punctuation marks (?!:;,).
Pronounce an en dash – like a comma, as a short pause.
Pronounce special characters such as /\˘<>+- with the approved Galician translations.
Match the tone to the text and audience. Informal, playful, inspiring suits most products and games; formal, informative, factual suits technical content.
Use contemporary style and terminology.
End users: avoid technical language, use everyday words. set up for end users, configure for technical audiences.
classic en To confirm that call forwarding has been correctly configured, press the Call button, and then wait until a confirmation message appears on your phone. -> modern en Press the Call button and then watch the screen on your phone for a confirmation message that lets you know call forwarding has been set up correctly. -> gl Preme o botón Chamar e, a seguir, mira no teu teléfono se aparece a mensaxe de confirmación que che indica se se configurou correctamente o desvío de chamadas.
IT generalists: use technical terms where necessary, but avoid a stiff, mechanical tone.
classic en Inbox rules allow you to control the flow of email messages in your organization. If you don’t want a rule to execute, delete it. -> modern en Use rules to control the flow of email messages in your organization. If you don't want a rule to run, you can turn it off or delete it. -> gl Usa as regras para controlar o fluxo das mensaxes na túa organización. Se non queres usar unha regra, podes desactivala ou borrala.
classic en A remote PowerShell '%1' call for type '%2' threw an unhandled exception: %n%3 -> modern en An error occurred in response to a remote PowerShell '%1' call for type '%2': %n%3 -> gl Produciuse un erro ao dar unha resposta a unha chamada de PowerShell remota para o tipo '%2': %n%3
Avoid overly colloquial language; keep a professional tone.
Same term for both audiences: en attempt -> try, gl tentar; as well as -> also, too, gl tamén; halt -> stop, gl deter; image -> picture, gl imaxe; locate -> find, gl atopar; modify -> change, gl cambiar; obtain -> get, gl obter; purchase -> buy, gl comprar; resolve -> fix, gl solucionar, arranxar; refer to -> see, gl ver; subsequent -> next, gl seguinte; utilize -> use, gl usar.
Different by audience: IT disable / end users turn off -> gl IT desactivar, general apagar / desactivar.
IT enable / end users turn on -> gl IT activar, general acender / activar.
IT value / end users number, letter, word -> gl IT valor, general número, letra, palabra.