I couldn't agree more. The bug is on the translation process. However, there are several challenges in solving it that I don't know how to overcome:noamik wrote:Ok, so I guess the real "bug" is English strings.xml being updated but no notification to translators being generated. This issue could be addressed by one of two approaches. You could either version the string references. Or you could invalidate (read remove) translations. This should be done when changing the meaning of an English string.
- Translations are often made by one-time contributors, which cannot be contacted later, or simply don't want to work further for AT, making the "notification" difficult.
- Strings.xml must respect the android format for this type of file. We cannot add extra metadata (like versioning) in it.
- The dev team focuses on the English version, and doesn't have time (or ability) to check the translated strings for quality, we just "trust" the goodwill of the community.
- Removing obsolete translations *could* be done, but I dislike destructive processes.
I'm trying to address the "notification" thing by using this thread : http://andorstrail.com/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=4711
I hope that the translators read it. I know some of them use only Google Code's issue page or even GitHub to provide their translations, and may not even read this forum....
The whole internationalization effort for AT needs IMHO a deep rethinking, and eventually more adapted tools, that fit the way the translators work, and the way we work and receive translations.
I am open to all kinds of suggestions.