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Turkmen (Turkmenistan) style guide

Characters

  • Lower-case: a,b,ç,d,e,ä,f,g,h,i,j,ţ,k,l,m,n,ň,o,ö,p,r,s,ş,t,u,ü,w,y,ý,z
  • Upper-case: A,B,Æ,D,E,Ä,F,G,H,I,J,Ţ,K,L,M,N,Ň,O,Ö,P,R,S,Ş,T,U,Ü,W,Y,Ý,Z
  • Extended Latin characters: Æ ç, Ä ä , Ţ ţ , Ň ň, Ö ö, ,Ş ş, Ü ü, Ý ý
  • Total characters: 30. No caseless script.
  • Unicode: a 0061, A 0041, b 0062, B 0042, ç 00e7, Æ 00c7, d 0064, D 0044, e 0065, E 0045, ä 00E4, Ä 00C4, f 0066, F 0046, g 0067, G 0047, h 0068, H 0048, i 0069, I 0049, j 006a, J 004a, ţ 017e, Ţ 017d, k 006b, K 004b, l 006c, L 004c, m 006d, M 004d, n 006e, N 004e, ň 0148, Ň 0147, o 006f, O 004f, ö 00f6, Ö 00d6, p 0070, P 0050, r 0072, R 0052, s 0073, S 0053, ş 015f, Ş 015e, t 0074, T 0054, u 0075, U 0055, ü 00fc, Ü 00dc, w 0077, W 0057, x 0078, X 0058, y 0079, Y 0059, ý 00fd, Ý 00dd, z 007a, Z 005a
  • Write upper-case and lower-case characters in alphabetical order.
  • Alphabetical order does not indicate sorting order.

Date

  • Calendar: Gregorian. First day of week: Monday. First week of year: first week after the New Year.
  • Separator: .
  • Short date: dd.MM.yy. Example: 17.03.11
  • Long date: d-nji(y) MMMM yyyy-nji(y) ýyl.. Example: 17-nji mart 2011-nji ýyl.
  • Additional short date 1: dd.MM.yy ý.. Example: 17.03.11 ý.
  • Additional short date 2: dd.MM.yyyy. Example: 17.03.2011
  • No additional long date formats.
  • Leading zero in day field, short date: yes. Leading zero in month field, short date: yes. Digits for year, short date: 2.
  • Leading zero in day field, long date: no. Leading zero in month field, long date: no. Digits for year, long date: 4.
  • Correspondence: dd.MM.yyyy ý.. Example: 17.03.2011 ý.
  • Year ending: if the last digit is one of 1,2,3,4,5,7,8, or the last two digits are one of 20,50,70,80,00, the ending is -nji. Examples: 2008-nji, 1980-nji
  • Year ending: if the last digit is one of 6,9, or the last two digits are one of 10,30,40,60,90, the ending is -njy. Examples: 2009-njy, 1930-njy
  • Day ending: if the last digit is one of 1,2,3,4,5 or 8, the ending is -i. Example: 15-i
  • Day ending: if the last digit is one of 9,10 or 30, the ending is -y. Example: 9-y
  • Day ending: if the last digit is 6, the ending is -sy. Example: 6-sy
  • Day ending: if the last digit is one of 2,7 or 20, the ending is -si. Example: 27-si
  • Partial date format: yyyy ý. MMMM
  • Format codes: d = day, d digits without leading zero, dd digits with leading zero, ddd abbreviated day name, dddd full day name. M = month, M without leading zero, MM with leading zero, MMM abbreviated name, MMMM full name. y = year, yy two digits, yyyy four digits.

Time

  • 24-hour format: yes. Standard time format: HH:mm:ss. Examples: 12:45:23, 10:42:35
  • Time separator: : colon. Example: 12:45:23
  • Hours leading zero: yes. Example: 02:13:56
  • No AM designator. No PM designator.
  • Short time format: HH:mm and H:mm

Days

  • Monday: Duşenbe, Db
  • Tuesday: Sişenbe, Sb
  • Wednesday: Æarşenbe, Æb
  • Thursday: Penşenbe, Pb
  • Friday: Anna, An
  • Saturday: Şenbe, Şb
  • Sunday: Ýekşenbe, Ýb
  • First day of week: Monday.
  • Do not capitalize the first letter. Capitalize it only when the day name starts a sentence.

Months

  • January: Ýanwar, Ýan, long Ýanwar
  • February: Fewral, Few, long Fewral
  • March: Mart, Mart, long Mart
  • April: Aprel, Apr, long Aprel
  • May: Maý, Maý, long Maý
  • June: Iýun, Iýun, long Iýun
  • July: Iýul, Iýul, long Iýul
  • August: Awgust, Awg, long Awgust
  • September: Sentýabr, Sen, long Sentýabr
  • October: Oktýabr, Okt, long Oktýabr
  • November: Noýabr, Noý, long Noýabr
  • December: Dekabr, Dek, long Dekabr
  • Do not capitalize the first letter. Capitalize it only when the month name starts a sentence.

Numbers

  • Use numbers as in English.

Phone numbers

  • International dialing code: +993. Area codes used: yes, 2 or 3 digits. Separator: space.
  • Domestic: 5 or 6 digits, grouped (###) ## ## ##, (###) # ## ##, (###) ## # ##
  • Local: 5 or 6 digits, grouped ## ## ##, # ## ##, ## # ##
  • Mobile: 6 or 11 digits, grouped (###) ## ## ##, (#####) ## ## ##, ## ## ##
  • International: 11 digits, grouped +993 ## ## ## ##, +993 ### # ## ##, +993 ### ## # ##
  • For a domestic call from another area, dial 800 before the area code. Form: 800(area code)(local numbers)
  • Only Ashgabat has a 2-digit area code.

Addresses

  • Format: [Title/Honorific], FirstName LastName, Address, City/Town, PostalCode, Country
  • Example: Dr. Sapar Güjükow, Halkara türkmen-türk uniwersiteti, Görogly 84, Aşgabat, 744000, Türkmenistan
  • Postal code format: xxxxxx. Local and international postal code formats are the same.
  • The first two digits of the postal code are fixed: 74xxxx
  • The postal code holds digits only. No characters.
  • Do not use address entries as fictitious information.

Currency

  • Currency name: manat. Symbol: m.. Symbol position: nm.. ISO code: TMT
  • Positive currency format: 12 500m.. Negative sign symbol: -nm.. Negative currency format: -12 500m.
  • Decimal symbol: comma. Digits after decimal: 2.
  • Digit grouping symbol: space. Digits in digit grouping: 3.
  • Positive currency example: 12 345 390,43m.. Negative currency example: -12 345 390,43m.
  • Subunit name: tenge. Subunit symbol: tng. Subunit example: 12 345 390 manats 43 tenge

Digit groups

  • Decimal separator: , comma. Examples: 5,9, 150.00 Manats
  • Thousand separator: " " space. Example: 1 257

Measurement units

  • Metric system commonly used: yes. Temperature: Celsius.
  • Linear measure: Kilometer -> Kilometr, km
  • Meter -> Metr, m
  • Decimeter -> Desimetr, dm
  • Centimeter -> Santimetr, sm
  • Millimeter -> Millimetr, mm
  • Capacity: Hectoliter -> Gektolitr, gl
  • Liter -> Litr, l
  • Deciliter -> Desilitr, dl
  • Centiliter -> Santilitr, sl
  • Milliliter -> Millilitr, ml
  • Mass: Ton -> Ton, t
  • Kilogram -> Kilogram, kg
  • Pound -> Funt, funt
  • Gram -> Gram, g
  • Decigram -> Desigram, dg
  • Centigram -> Santigram, sg
  • Milligram -> Milligram, mg
  • English units: Inch -> Inç, inç
  • Feet -> Fit, fit
  • Mile -> Mil, mil
  • Gallon -> Galon, galon
  • The mass unit pound is not used in Turkmen.

Percentages

  • Use percentages as in English. No space between the % sign and the number after it.

Sorting

  • Capital and lower-case letters are equal. Make no distinction.
  • Æ, æ, Ø, ø, Å and å are separate letters of the alphabet. They are not equivalents of a or o.
  • Æ, ç, Ä, ä, Ţ, ţ, Ň, ň, Ö, ö, Ş, ş, Ü, ü and Ý, ý are letters of the Turkmen alphabet.
  • Other accented characters are not equal to non-accented characters.
  • Non-alphabetical characters, symbols such as @ ! #, sort before the letters of the alphabet.
  • Digits sort before non-alphabetical characters and before the letters of the alphabet.
  • Character sorting order: A, a {65,97}, B, b {66,98}, Æ, ç {199,231}, D, d {68,100}, E, e {69,101}, Ä, ä {196,228}, F, f {70,102}, G, g {71,103}, H, h {72,104}, I, i {73,105}, J, j {74,106}, Ţ, ţ {142,158}, K, k {75,107}, L, l {76,108}, M, m {77,109}, N, n {78,110}, Ň, ň {327,328), O, o {79,11}, Ö, ö {214,246}, P, p {80,112}, R, r {82,114}, S, s {83,115}, Ş, ş {350,351}, T, t {84,116}, U, u {85,117}, Ü, ü {220,252}, W, w {87,119}, Y, y {89,121}, Ý, ý {221,253}, Z, z {90,122}
  • Sorted words: 1, @, Aaron, andere, ändere, hiša, irdisch, ţal, ţena, Ţenēva, lävi, lie, lire, llama, Löwen, luč, luck, Lübeck, lye, lõug, lòza, Männer, möchten, myndig, màšta, mîr, pint, piña, pylon, savoir, sämtlich, Sietla, subtle, symbol, waffle, wood, yen, yuan, yucca, zoo, Zürich, Zviedrija, zysk, zzlj, zzlz}, zznj, zznz, chaque, chemin, cote, coté, côte, côté, čučēt, Czech, šàran, Šerbūra, ślub, väga, verkehrt, vox

Geopolitical concerns

  • Check maps, flags, country/region, city and language names, art and graphics, and cultural content for sensitive or offensive material.
  • Check maps and other graphic representations of countries and regions for accuracy and political restrictions.
  • Recheck country/region, city and language names for every release, even previously approved ones.
  • Check religious symbols, body and hand gestures, and clip art against the target culture.
  • Use the most up-to-date Turkmen list of country/region and city names for every release.

Adjectives

  • Use adjectives as in English. An adjective qualifies a noun or noun phrase.
  • Turkmen adjectives give colour, odour, shape. Example: red flag -> gyzyl baýdak
  • The file is too large -> Faýl aşa uly
  • Your computer is infected -> Kompýuteriňize zyýanly wiruslar giripdir
  • Press the blue button -> Gök reňkli düwmä basyň
  • Turkmen has six possessive pronouns. They are not adjectives.
  • My -> Meniň
  • Your -> Seniň, Siziň
  • His -> Onuň
  • Her -> Onuň
  • Its -> Onuň
  • Our -> Biziň
  • Their -> Olaryň
  • My Computer -> Kompýuterim or Meniň kompýuterim. Meniň is unnecessary in many cases. Kompýuterim means My Computer.

Articles

  • Turkmen has no definite articles. Do not translate the.
  • English error messages vary in their use of articles, demonstratives and possessive pronouns. Stay consistent in Turkmen.
  • File already exists, The file already exists, This file already exists -> Faýl öňden bar. Replace Faýl with the file name when the source names a file: StyleGuide.doc öňden bar.
  • Not enough memory to complete this operation. -> Bu işi gutarmak üçin ýeterlik ýat ýok.
  • Not enough memory to complete installation. -> Gurnamany gutarmak üçin ýeterlik ýat ýok.
  • Where the source names an operation instead of this operation, use "Name of an operation"+(n)y/i gutarmak üçin ýeterlik ýat ýok.
  • Windows Vista cannot start your system. If the problem persists, contact your network administrator. -> Windows Vista sistemaňyzy başladyp bilenok.Eger problema dowam etse, tor administratoryňyz bilen habarlaşyň.
  • Use noun+(y)ňyzy/(i)ňizi instead of the possessive marker your.
  • +(n)y/i: if the last syllable holds one of a, o, u, y and the last letter is not a vowel, add y. Example: faýly
  • +(n)y/i: if the last syllable holds one of ä, e, ö, ü, i and the last letter is not a vowel, add i. Example: belligi
  • +(n)y/i: if the last letter is one of a, o, u, y, add ny. Example: gurnamany
  • +(n)y/i: if the last letter is one of ä, ö, ü, i, add ni. Example: Selbini
  • +(n)y/i: if the last letter is e, add äni. Example: täzelenme -> täzelenmäni
  • +(n)y/i: if the last letter is one of k, p, t, ç, change it: k->g, p->b, t->d, ç->j. Example: bellik -> belligi
  • noun+(y)ňyzy/(i)ňizi: if the last syllable holds one of a, o, u, y and the last letter is not a vowel, add yňyzy. Example: faýlyňyzy
  • noun+(y)ňyzy/(i)ňizi: if the last syllable holds one of ä, e, ö, ü, i and the last letter is not a vowel, add iňizi. Example: bellgiňizi
  • noun+(y)ňyzy/(i)ňizi: if the last letter is one of a, o, u, y, add ňyzy. Example: guramaňyzy
  • noun+(y)ňyzy/(i)ňizi: if the last letter is one of ä, e, ö, ü, i, add ňizi. Example: täzelenmäňizi
  • Use unlocalized product portfolio names without a hyphen and without an article in any language.
  • Treat non-translated product and feature names as proper nouns in Turkmen.
  • Windows Mail shares your Internet Connection settings with Internet Explorer -> Windows Mail siziň internet aragatnaşyk gurnalyşyňyzy internet ýolbeledi bilen paýlaşýar
  • Translated feature names take a definite or indefinite article. They are not proper names.
  • Hide the Task Manager when it is minimized -> Tabşyryk Dolandyryjyňyzy kiçeldilen wagty gizläň
  • Check for updates in your installed Media Player's language -> Gurnalan Göteriji Pleýeriňiziň diliniň täzelemelerini barlaň
  • Integrate English loan words into the Turkmen noun class system. Check motivation, analogy, and frequency. The internet may help.
  • Where the noun class is your choice, translate consistently within the product. Consult the translation team lead.
  • Delete it from server. -> Ony serwerden poz.
  • Enter a password to log into the server -> Serwere girmek üçin paroly ýaz.
  • DNS cannot resolve the server IP address -> SDA serweriň IP adresini çözüp bilenok
  • Verify the name of the server’s certificate -> Serweriň kepilnamasynyň adyny barla

Capitalization

  • If the first word of the source string is capitalized, capitalize the first word of the target. If it is not capitalized, do not capitalize the target, unless Turkmen rules require it.
  • Some strings are concatenated at run-time and seem to lack a subject or start mid-sentence. Do not start such strings with an upper-case letter, unless Turkmen spelling rules require it.
  • 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 -> bu kompýutere baglanmaga synanyşýar. Eger rugsat berseňiz, siz baglanmany bilersiňiz ýöne soň dowam edip bilersiňiz. Siz bu baglanmaga rugsat berýaňizmi?\r\n
  • unknown software exception\r\n -> näbelli programma üpjünçiliginiň aýratynlygy\r\n
  • acquired -> alnan
  • Log off user -> Ulanyjy çykyşy
  • Edit... -> Düzelt
  • Do not mimic source capitalization. Apply Turkmen spelling conventions. Over-capitalization is awkward and makes the UI inconsistent.
  • Where a capitalized English noun becomes two words in Turkmen, capitalize both, or neither, or one. Stay consistent.
  • Do not capitalize every noun, pronoun, adjective, verb, adverb and subordinate conjunction in headings as English does. Follow normal Turkmen capitalization rules. The same applies to software strings.
  • Switching Between Windows -> Penjireleri öz aralarynda geçirmek
  • Capitalize names of UI elements, commands, menus, dialog box titles, and program names. Capitalize only the first word. Examples: Arabaglanyşyk dolandyryjysy, Daşky gurşaw
  • Mark UI element names by font style, for example bold. Where that is impossible, enclose them in quotes.
  • Capitalize acronyms.
  • Capitalize proper names.
  • Capitalize all words in country and state names. Examples: Amerikanyň Birleşen Ştatlary, Birleşen Milletler Guramasy
  • Capitalize all words in political names. Examples: Ýokary Gözegçilik, Türkmenistanyň Ministrler Kabineti
  • Do not capitalize month names and day names. Examples: awgust, sişenbe
  • Do not capitalize Web. Example: web baglanyşygy
  • Do not capitalize languages, nationalities, or adjectives from them. Examples: fransuz dilinde, rus dili
  • Capitalize product names, acronyms and trademarks in Turkmen headings.

Compounds

  • Keep compounds understandable and clear. Avoid overly long or complex compounds. Express the relationship among the compound parts verbally instead.
  • Translate every word of a compound, except unlocalized product and component names.
  • Internet Accounts -> Internet hasaplary
  • Logon script processing -> Giriş yazgysy işlewde
  • Workgroup Administrator -> İş toparynyň administratory
  • Internet News Server Name -> Internet habar serweriniň ady
  • Product names are trademarked. Keep them unchanged in Turkmen. Add to a product or component name with a hyphen, or build a periphrastic construction.
  • Translate component names, except unlocalized product portfolio names.
  • Windows password -> Windows paroly
  • Microsoft Word document -> Microsoft Word resminamasy
  • Microsoft SQL Server Database -> Microsoft SQL Server maglumat bazasy
  • Microsoft BackOffice product family -> Microsoft BackOffice önüm maşgalasy
  • ActiveX Control -> ActiveX dolandyryşy
  • Use compounds with numerals as in English. Translate compounds with acronyms or abbreviations only where the acronym or abbreviation is localized.
  • CD-ROM drive -> CD-ROM sürüjisi
  • 2-D gridlines -> 2-D gözenek çyzyklary
  • 24 bit color value -> 24 bitlik reňk degeri
  • 3.5 Floppy -> 3.5 çeýe disk
  • 51/4-inch Floppy -> 51/4-inch çeýe disk
  • 35mm slides -> 35 mm slaýtlary

Gender

  • Recognize the audience's sensitivity to male and female stereotypes. Use language that is as neutral as possible.
  • Apply the neutral approach to scenarios, comparisons, examples, illustrations and metaphors.
  • Balance roles and functions between men and women: active and passive, leading and secondary, technical and non-technical.
  • Base scenarios, pictures, metaphors and comparisons on areas and attributes common to both genders.
  • Use a general term that includes both genders, people, users, persons, instead of naming both genders separately.
  • Avoid sentences that refer to a single person of unknown gender. Rewrite to make the subject plural.
  • Where a reference to a single person is unavoidable, never use he or she, him or her, his or hers.
  • Keep the language natural, as in spoken conversation.
  • Avoid slashes to combine both genders, with the exceptions below.
  • Neutral noun: person, leader, team lead, expert, employee, user -> adam, lider, topar ýolbaşçy, bilermen, işgär, ulanyjy. Words translate in order.
  • Slash: he/she, s/he -> ol. Ol covers both he and she.

Genitive

  • Treat product names and non-translated feature names as proper nouns. Use them without definite or indefinite articles.
  • Never attach a genitive s to a trademarked product name. It reads as a modification of the name. Add to a product or component name with a hyphen or a periphrastic construction.
  • Microsoft’s products -> Microsoft products, Products by Microsoft
  • Never attach the Turkmen genitive yň/iň to a trademarked product name. Use a periphrastic construction.
  • Microsoftyň önümleri -> Microsoft önümleri

Modifiers

  • Delete it from server. -> Ony serwerden poz.
  • Enter a password to log into the server -> Serwere girmek üçin paroly ýaz.
  • DNS cannot resolve the server IP address -> SDA serweriň IP adresini çözüp bilenok
  • Verify the name of the server’s certificate -> Serweriň kepilnamasynyň adyny barla

Nouns

  • English loanwords inflect for number in Turkmen.
  • Clients -> Klientler
  • Websites -> Websaýtlar
  • Downloads -> Downloadlar
  • Proxys -> Proksiler
  • Administrators -> Administratorlar
  • Form the plural by adding -lar or -ler after the noun.
  • Add -lar if the last syllable holds any of a, y, o, u
  • Add -ler if the last syllable holds any of ä, i, ö, ü
  • chat -> chatler
  • crawl -> crawllar
  • debug -> debuglar

Prepositions

  • Use the correct preposition. Do not omit prepositions or change word order under English influence.
  • Translate prepositional phrases by context. Avoid anglicisms.
  • migrate to -> -a(e) göçir. Context: Migrate to local disc
  • Migrate from -> -dan/den göçir. Context: Migrate from local disc
  • import to -> -a(e) giriz. Context: Import to disc D
  • import from -> -dan/den giriz. Context: Import from disc C
  • export to -> -a(e) çykar. Context: Export to folder
  • export from -> -dan/den çykar. Context: Export from folder
  • update to -> bilen täzele. Context: Update to the latest version
  • upgrade to -> täzesini ýükle. Context: Upgrade to the beta version
  • change to -> -a(e) çalyş. Context: Change to capital letters
  • click on -> -yň/ıň üstine bas. Context: Click on the file
  • connect to -> -a(e) birikdir. Context: Connect to the server
  • welcome to ... -> -a(e) hoş geldiňiz. Context: Welcome to Windows
  • in the toolbar -> gurallar zolagynda
  • on the tab -> goşmaça goýlanlarda
  • on the menu -> menýuda
  • on the net -> torda
  • on the Internet -> internetde
  • on the Web -> webde
  • on a web site -> web saýtda
  • on a web page -> web sahypasynda

Pronouns

  • +ym/im/m/äm: if the last syllable holds one of a,o,u,y and the last letter is not a vowel, the ending is ym. Example: faýl -> Meniň faýlym
  • If the last syllable holds one of e,ä,ö,ü,i and the last letter is not a vowel, the ending is im. Example: kompýuter -> Meniň kompýuterim
  • If the last letter is one of the vowels a,u,y,i,ä, the ending is m. Example: bukja -> Meniň bukjam
  • If the last letter is e, the ending is äm. Example: köne -> Meniň könäm
  • noun/string+yň/iň: if the last syllable holds one of a,o,u,y and the last letter is not a vowel, the ending is yň. Example: faýl -> faýlyň
  • If the last syllable holds one of e,ä,ö,ü,i and the last letter is not a vowel, the ending is iň. Example: kompýuter -> kompýuteriň
  • If the last letter is one of the vowels a,u,y,i,ä, the ending is m. Example: bukja -> bukjaň
  • If the last letter is e, the ending is äň. Example: köne -> könäň

Punctuation

  • Put a space after commas and periods.
  • Use commas as in US English.
  • Use colons as in US English.
  • There are several types of Internet protocols: -> İnternet protokolynyň birnäçe görnüşi bar:; - HTTP -> - HTTP; - FTP etc. -> - FTP we ş.m.
  • There are three forms of matter: -> Maddanyň tebigatda üç haly bar:; 1) solid -> 1) gaty; 2) fluid -> 2) suwuk; 3) gas -> 3) gaz
  • English uses three dash characters. Hyphen divides words between syllables, links parts of a compound word, and connects the parts of an inverted or imperative verb form. En dash serves as a minus sign, usually with spaces before and after, and marks number ranges without spaces. Em dash emphasizes an isolated element or introduces an element that is not essential to the meaning.
  • Turkmen has only one kind of dash for all three.
  • Add no space before the ellipsis sign.
  • Use a comma as the decimal separator, not a period. Never use a space for it. A space separates the digit groups.
  • Keep the decimal separator and the abbreviation in for inches in paper sizes. The sizes are US norms.
  • 5.25 cm -> 5.25 sm
  • 5 x 7.2 inches -> 5 x 7.2 inç
  • Letter Landscape 11 x 8.5 in -> 11 x 8.5 in-lik hat ýatasy
  • Only one type of quotation mark. Example: “Maýkrosoft” kompaniýasy
  • No space between the parentheses and the text inside. Use parentheses as in US English. Example: Windows Mail habarnamalary (ugradylan we gelen hatlar)
  • Semicolon is the list separator.

Singular and plural

  • Add the ending lar/ler to a noun, verb or adjective in the plural.
  • If the last syllable or the last letter is one of a, o, u, y, add lar. Examples: faýllar, bukjalar
  • If the last syllable or the last letter is one of ä, e, ö, ü, i, add ler. Examples: kompýuterler, täzelenmeler

Split infinitive

  • Turkmen does not use split infinitives.

Subjunctive

  • Turkmen adds subjunctives to the end of verbs.
  • I go -> Gidýärin or Men gidýärin
  • We go -> Gidýäris or Biz gidýäris

Symbols and non-breaking spaces

  • Use a non-breaking space (CTRL+SHIFT+SPACEBAR) in any abbreviation.
  • Where non-breaking spaces cannot be used, for example in Help files, write these abbreviations without a space, so one letter does not move to the start of the next line.

Syntax

  • Rephrase To skip creating your startup disk, click Cancel as Click Cancel to skip creating your startup disk.
  • Avoid personified inanimate subjects. Replace active constructions with passive ones where possible.
  • Click Cancel to skip creating your startup disk -> Goýberme diskiňizi döretmegiň üstinden ätlemek üçin bes ede basyň
  • Word order: subject + object + verb. Verbs always come at the end of the sentence.
  • Setup encountered an error while creating your startup disk. -> Goýberme diskiňizi döreden wagty gurnaýjyda tötänleýin ýalňyş ýüze çykdy.
  • Setup cannot find the remote computer. -> Gurnaýjy uzakdaky kompýuteri tapanok
  • Setup cannot get disk information. -> Gurnaýjy disk maglumatlaryny alyp bilenok.
  • With more than two verbs in a sentence, one comes at the end. The others move freely.
  • Remove any existing settings to free space. -> Ýeri boşatmak üçin bar bolan sazlamalary aýyryň.
  • Attempt to remove current directory -> Häzirki direktoriýany aýyrmaga synanyşyldy. Passive construction.

Verbs

  • Translate verbs in error messages consistently. Omitting the predicate be is grammatical in Turkmen, so omit it in error messages. Stay consistent across all error messages. Be concise without changing the meaning.
  • Access was denied., Access denied. -> Ygtyýar berilenok. Do not translate word by word.
  • The application may attempt to convert the graphic. -> Programma grafikany öwürmäge synanyşdy. Verbs go at the end of the sentence. This rule always applies.
  • A problem occurred while trying to connect to the network share '%1!s!'. -> “%1!s!” bilelikde ulanylýan toruna birikdirilende näsazlyk ýüze çykdy. Plural: “%1!s!”bilelikde ulanylýan toruna birikdirilende näsazlyklar ýüze çykdy
  • The following error occurred: '%1!s!' (error #%2!lx!) -> Ýalňyş: “%1!s!”(ýalňyş#%2!x!). Plural: Ýalňyşlar
  • An unknown error has occurred./ No error occurred. -> Näbelli ýalňyş. Plural: Näbelli ýalňyşlar

Word order

  • Most sentences begin with a subject and end with a verb in the past, present or future tense.
  • A problem occurred while trying to connect to the network share '%1!s!' -> “%1!s!” bilelikde ulanylýan toruna birikdirilende näsazlyk ýüze çykdy.

Audience

  • Match the target audience. Translation of learning materials for new users is more direct and friendly. IT Pro materials are more formal.

Style

  • Consistency and idiomaticity matter equally. The language reads as if originally written in Turkmen, with idiomatic syntax and terminology.
  • Keep terminological consistency high.
  • Fluency, readability and intelligibility are essential. Use Turkmen word order instead of translating word by word, as long as the key message carries.

Tone

  • Mimic the tone of the source. Stay respectful.
  • Avoid word forms specific to one dialect.
  • Personal pronouns: Men -> I
  • Sen -> You(singular)
  • Ol -> He/She
  • Bu/Şu -> It
  • Biz -> We
  • Siz -> You(plural)
  • Olar -> They
  • Verb forms, gerunds for al and gel: Işligiň buýruk formasy: Verb. Examples: al, gel
  • Işligiň hökmanlyk formasy: Verb+maly/meli. Examples: almaly, gelmeli
  • Işligiň arzuw-isleg formasy: Verb+aýady/äýedi/sady/sedi. Examples: alaýady, geläýedi, alsady, gelsedi
  • Işligiň hyýal-niýet formasy: Verb+makçy/mekçi. Examples: almakçy, gelmekçi
  • Işligiň alkyş-gutlag formasy: Verb+syn/sin/sun/sün. Examples: alsyn, gelsin, toý bolsun
  • Işligiň rugsat-ejaza formasy: Verb+aýaýyn/äýeýin/aýsana/äýsene. Examples: alaýaýyn, geläýeýin, alaýsana, geläýsene
  • İşligiň şert formasy: Verb+sa/se. Examples: alsa, gelse
  • Işligiň nämalim(infinitiw) formasy: Verb+maklyk/meklik/mak/mek. Examples: almak(lik), gelmek(lik)

Voice

  • Use passive voice rather than active voice, even where English uses active.
  • Translate You in the second person plural.
  • You are now connected to the Internet. -> İnternet baglanyşygy guruldy., not Siz İnternete baglandyňyz.

Abbreviations

  • Abbreviate words in the UI, mainly button or option names, only for lack of space.
  • for example (e.g.) -> mysal üçin (mys)
  • versus (Vs.) -> garşylykly (garş.)
  • etcetera (etc.) -> we şuňa meňzeşler (we şm.)

Accessibility

  • Accessible products and services for people with disabilities, single-handed or with hearing or motion disabilities, may not exist in Turkmenistan. Remove those references from Turkmen text where necessary.

Acronyms

  • Acronyms are words made from the initial letters of the major parts of a compound term. Examples: WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get), OLE (Object Linking and Embedding), RAM (Random Access Memory)
  • Acronyms are widely used in Turkmen. Examples: HTML, PIN
  • Never put a generic term after an acronym or abbreviation if a letter in the acronym already stands for that term. Correct it in the localized version, even when the source has it.
  • Wrong: RPC call
  • Wrong: HTML language
  • Wrong: TCP/IP-Protocol
  • Wrong: PIN Number
  • Wrong: HTML dili
  • Wrong: PIN belgisi
  • In online help and documentation, spell out the words of an acronym on first use. Give the language-specific translation, the US term, and the acronym.
  • Examples: Maglumat Giriş Obýektleri (Data Access Objects, DAO), ActiveX Maglumat Obýektleri (ActiveX Data Objects, ADO)
  • In the UI there is rarely space for all three terms. Only wizards allow spelling out and localizing on first mention. With space constraints or no first occurrence, judge whether to leave the acronym as is or spell it out.
  • Never create a new acronym from the language-specific translated term. Leave the English acronym or abbreviation intact: DLL stays DLL, DPI stays DPI.
  • Application Initialization DLL -> DLL goşmaça başlamagy
  • DPI Scaling -> DPI masştablaşdyrma
  • Many standardized abbreviations and acronyms stay untranslated. Add the full English spelling only where the acronym needs explaining. Where the acronym is common, the spelled-out form only confuses users, so use the acronym alone.
  • Do not localize or spell out: ANSI (American National Standards Institute), ISO (International Standards Organization), ISDN, DOS, DSL, CD, DVD

Applications, products, and features

  • Application, product and feature names are often trademarked and are rarely translated. Example of a trademarked feature name: IntelliSense™
  • Verify a name is translatable before translating it.
  • Windows Media -> Windows Media. Not translated.
  • Windows Live Movie Maker -> Windows Live Film Studiýasy. Feature translated, product name not translated.

Frequent errors

  • For several minutes: üçin birnäçe minutlap -> birnäçe minutlap
  • Middle East: Orta Gündogar -> Ŷakyn Gündogar
  • For more information please contact ...: Üçin giňişleýin maglumat ... bilen habarlaşyň -> Giňişleýin maglumat üçin ... bilen habarlaşyň
  • assume -> göz öňüne getir
  • fatal error: ýalňyşlyk howply -> howply ýalňyşlyk
  • resolved invalid: çözüldi peýdasyz -> çözülen ýalňyş

Fictitious information

  • Fictitious content is legally sensitive. Never create your own fictitious names. Use the source names or the list of legally approved names.
  • Ask the product team about fictitious companies, names, addresses, email addresses and phone numbers, and whether localized fictitious content is required.

Standardized translations

  • Standardized translations sit under these topics: the importance of standardization, standard phrases in error messages, standard phrases in documentation, copyright notice.

Unlocalized items

  • Do not localize: OK, Intenet, Web, CD, DVD, Video, Audio, Stereo, Bit

User interface

  • Establish the context and exact function of a UI item before translating it. Use every available resource: Instructions, Resource ID, String ID, and sometimes Previous Source and Term Note.
  • Do not address the user directly in checkbox and radio button text. A personal pronoun such as you, vous, Sie is a rare choice there.
  • Use checkboxes and radio buttons as in US English.
  • A checkbox can be selected or deselected. A radio button can be selected or deselected. Within a list, one selected radio button excludes all others.
  • No period at the end of checkbox and radio button text. Keep the period if the source has it and the string is a complete sentence. Add a period if the target string is a complete and complex or long sentence, with sub-clauses or over several lines.
  • I accept the license terms. -> Men ygtyýarlygyň şertnamasyny kabul edýärin.
  • I accept this agreement. -> Men bu ylalaşygy kabul edýärin.
  • Confirm file format conversion on open -> Faýl formatynyň özgerilşigini açylyşda tassykla

Messages

  • Do not phrase the same message differently. Use one standard translation.
  • A status bar message informs about the active document, a selected command, or any active or selected interface item. It shows in the status bar at the bottom of the window. It refers to actions being performed or already complete.
  • Menu and command status bar messages follow this format.
  • Edit menu -> Düzelt; Contains editing commands -> Düzeltmek üçin degişli buýruklary özünde saklaýar
  • Copy to Folder... menu -> Şu Bukja Göçür; Copies the selected items to a new location -> Saýlanan bölekleri täze bir ýere göçürer
  • New command -> Täze; Creates a new document -> Täze bir resminama döreder
  • Make object visible? -> Obýekt görünýän bolsunmy?
  • Word is converting the document. Press Esc to stop. -> Word bu resminamany öwürýär. Duruzmak üçin Esc basyň.
  • Datasheet View -> Maglumat Tablisasyny Görkez
  • Done -> Ýerine ýetirildi
  • Use one standard translation where the source phrases the same meaning differently.
  • Press F1 to get Help, If you want Help press F1, To get Help press F1 -> Kömegi çagyrmak üçin F1-e basyň
  • Not enough memory, Insufficient memory, There is not enough memory -> Ýeterlik ýat ýok
  • Save changes to %1?, Do you want to save changes to %1? -> Üýtgeşmeleri %1+e/a/ä ýazmalymy?
  • If the last syllable of %1 holds any of a,o,u,y and the last letter is not a vowel, use %1+a. Example: Üýtgeşmeleri faýla ýazmalymy?
  • If the last syllable of %1 holds any of ä,ö,ü,i,e and the last letter is not a vowel, use %1+e. Example: Üýtgeşmeleri diske ýazmalymy?
  • If %1 ends with one of the vowels a,o,u,y, use %1+a. Example: Üýtgeşmeleri bukja ýazmalymy?
  • If %1 ends with one of the vowels ä,ö,ü,i,e, use %1+ä. Example: könä

Error messages

  • An error message tells the user an error must be corrected for the program to keep running. It may prompt an action or report an error that requires rebooting the computer.
  • Keep terminology and language style consistent across localized error messages. Do not translate as they appear in the source.
  • Standardize standard phrases. The source uses different forms for the same thing. Use one standard phrase for error messages with the same meaning and purpose.
  • Cannot, Could not: File could not be found, File cannot be found -> Verb+mady/medi. Example: Faýl tapylmady
  • Failed to …, Failure of …: Failed to connect, Failure to connect -> Verb+yp/ip bilmedi. Example: Baglanyp bilmedi
  • Cannot find …, Could not find …, Unable to find …, Unable to locate …: Cannot find driver software, Could not find driver software, Unable to find driver software, Unable to locate driver software -> … tapylmady. Example: Programma üpjinçiliginiň draýweri tapylmady
  • Not enough memory, Insufficient memory, There is not enough memory, There is not enough memory available -> Ýeterlik ýat ýok
  • ... is not available, ... is unavailable: The command is not available, The command is unavailable -> … elýeterli däl. Example: Buýruk elýeterli däl
  • verb+mady/medi: if the last syllable of the verb is one of a, o, u, y, use verb+mady. Example: tapylmady
  • verb+mady/medi: if the last syllable of the verb is one of ä, e, i, ö, ü, use verb+medi. Example: baglanyp bilmedi
  • verb+yp/ip bilmedi: if the last syllable of the verb is one of a, o, u, y, use verb+yp/ip bilmedi. Example: baglanyp bilmedi
  • verb+yp/ip bilmedi: if the last syllable of the verb is one of ä, e, i, ö, ü, use verb+yp/ip bilmedi. Example: iberip bilmedi
  • Find out what replaces a placeholder, so the sentence stays grammatical after replacement. Most source strings carry instructions that detail the replacement text.
  • %d minute(s) remaining (3 minute(s) remaining) -> %d minut galdy (3 minut galdy)
  • Dialing %s... (Dialing business phone) -> %s+a/ä/e jaň edýar (Iş telefonyna jaň edýär)
  • The disk in drive %c: cannot be formatted. (The disk in drive C: cannot be formatted.) -> %c sürüjisindäki disk: formatlap bolanok. (C sürüjisindäki disk: formatlap bolanok.)
  • In the English source, placeholders sit where they naturally occur in English. English numerals precede the noun, so numeral placeholders precede the noun in source strings.
  • in %d days -> %d günde
  • %d minutes -> % minut
  • %d, %ld, %u, and %lu means a number, such as 3 or 512 -> %d, %ld, %u, we %lu, Sanlar (3 ýa 513 ýaly)
  • %c means a letter, such as f or s -> %c, Harp (“f” ýa “s” ýaly)
  • %s means a string, such as Click here to continue. -> %s, Setir (“Dowam etmek üçin şu ýere basyň.” ýaly)
  • “Checking Web %1!d! of %2!d!” (“Checking Web <number> of <number>”) -> “%1!d!-nj(y)i toruň %2!d!-syny/sini barlaýar” (“<number>-nj(y)i toruň <number>-jysyny/jisini barlaýar”)
  • “INI file "%1!-.200s!" section” (“INI file "<string>" section”) -> “INI faýl "%1!-.200s!" bölümi ” (“INI faýl "<string>" bölümi”)
  • Where the language has agreement between adjective and noun and the noun is a placeholder, find the exact string so a preceding adjective inflects correctly.
  • Most source strings already avoid modifying a placeholder with an adjective. Where the language has syntactic agreement between noun subject and verb, reword the translation to avoid an ungrammatical sentence.
  • Replace invalid %s? (Replace invalid data?, Replace invalid file?) -> Ŷalňyş %s+(n)y/i çalyşmalymy? (Ýalňyş maglumady çalyşmalymy?, Ýalňyş faýly çalyşmalymy?)
  • %s already exists (File already exists, Name already exists) -> %s öňden bar (Faýl öňden bar., At öňden bar.)
  • %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) -> %s häzir şahsy kontaktyňyzy düziň. (Regina häzir şahsy kontaktyňyzy düziň, Jenap Kim häzir şahsy kontaktyňyzy düziň)
  • %s stopped working and was closed (The application stopped working and was closed, The program stopped working and was closed) -> %s işlemesini goýdy we ýapyldy (Goşmaça işlemesini goýdy we ýapyldy., Programma işlemesini goýdy we ýapyldy.)

Keys

  • The keyboard is the primary input device for text input. Most actions can be performed with the keyboard, for accessibility and efficiency.
  • Users work with keys, key combinations and key sequences.
  • Key names, such as arrow keys, function keys and numeric keys, appear in normal text, not in small caps.

Access keys and hot keys

  • Underlined or highlighted letters in menu options, commands or dialog boxes are access keys, also called hot keys. They run commands and perform tasks faster.
  • Hot keys are key combinations such as ALT+F or Ctrl+S that move focus to a menu, command, or control without the mouse.
  • Slim characters, i, l, t, r, f, allowed as hot keys. Examples: Faýl bukjalarynda ulgam faýllaryny gözlände indeks ulanma, Täze oýun
  • Characters with downstrokes, g, j, y, p, q, not allowed. The hot key underline is hard to see.
  • Extended characters allowed. Example: Görkeziş
  • An additional letter after the item name, in brackets or not: not allowed. Example: Option w / Option (w)
  • A number after the item name, in brackets or not: not allowed. Example: Option 3 / Option (3)
  • A punctuation sign after the item name, in brackets or not: not allowed. Example: Option > / Option (>)

Titles

  • English chapter titles usually begin with How to …, Working with … or Using ….
  • Titles carry as much information as possible about the text that follows, so readers locate information quickly.
  • Where the English title begins with a gerund, use a nominalized form in Turkmen.
  • Sending a file -> Faýly ugratmak
  • Using Styles -> Stilleri ulanmak
  • Do not capitalize every noun, pronoun, adjective, verb, adverb and subordinate conjunction in headings as English does. Follow normal Turkmen capitalization rules. The same applies to software strings.
  • Capitalize product names, acronyms and trademarks in Turkmen headings.
  • Switching Between Windows -> Penjireleri öz aralarynda geçirmek
  • Keep titles of lists and tables to one or two words, preferably active nouns. Keep them concise, even where the original heading uses a longer phrase.
  • In order to -> Görä
  • Do this -> Şuny et
  • How to use -> Ulanmaklygyň usuly
  • First do this -> İlki şuny et
  • Then do this -> Soňra şuny et
  • How to: -> Nätmeli:
  • Walkthrough -> Düýp-barlag
  • Copyright -> Awtorlyk hukugy