What is a preferable way to answer someones question in another language? In previous disciplines with Chemistry and Engineering, I would read someones question, convert it with Google Translate, create a response in English and then convert the response in the foreign language. I can see a few possible ways to do this and am curious what way would be helpful. I don’t want to say anything which may be considered offensive due to mis-tranlation to another language.
Here are a few examples and I am looking forward to peoples thoughts:
One way would be to answer a question with the English version and then place the google translate version below it:
English: This is how to create a messagebox:
Russian: ??? ??? ??? ??? ???
MsgBox "Hello World"
MsgBox "?????? ???"
Another possible way is to add the word ‘Google translate’ to let the other person know that there could be computer translate errors:
English: This is how to create a Message Box
French [Google Translate, Google Traduction]: Voici comment crer un message
Or should I only provide the final answer in the original language:
Esta es la forma de crear un cuadro de mensaje: Traducido por Google
Google translate is good, but far from perfect, and it can be sometimes real strange. I saw how you replied in English to a question in the French channel. You were the only one to extend a hand. If I was drowning, I would not complain about the color of the buoy.
I participate in French and Spanish channels as I am fortunate to be able to understand and write in these languages. But yet, since AFAIK Xojo itself does not provide anymore translation of its documents or Foreign versions of the IDE, it seems to be beneficial for non-English speakers to be able to read some English in order to use the product. So it should not be shocking to see English when it is the only available reply.
An interesting topic, for myself I prefer to write in English, but I don’t care if the response is German or English. Although that said, I’d prefer a well written German response to a poor translation. I’m always unsure if I’m receiving the full information that the writer intended to impart.
The big difference I see here in Switzerland is that the teenagers opt for English rather than one of our national languages when they meet teenagers from the other language regions of the country, where as the older generations go for German or French.