Re: New FAQ: Defining Localization, Internationalization & Globalization

Richard, et al,

OK, I will try.
If it helps, I have a degree in linguistics.

Abbreviations are not written in capital letters in English.  When we 
abbreviate the word "international", we write "int'l", and not "INT'L". 
  If we shorten a series of names into one word that can be pronounced, 
we call it an acronym and write in all caps, such as Zone Improvement 
Plan => ZIP.  Every capital letter stands for a separate word (yes, 
there are a few cases in English where the acronym became so common that 
it is no longer capitalized, like "radar", "scuba", and "laser"). 
Whether the abbreviation has numbers in it should not affect the written 
rules.  Therefore, "i18n", "l10n", and "g11n" should not be capitalized. 
  As with any abbreviation, the first letter can be capitalized if it 
appears at the beginning of a sentence, in a title, or as part of a 
proper name, such as the W3C I18n WG.

But for the purposes of an FAQ, it would be nice to follow the 
conventions of English, since the document is in English.

FWIW

Richard Ishida wrote:

> 
> 
> The GEO task force has published another article based on an FAQ:
> 
> 	How do you define localization, internationalization and globalization? 
> 	How are these concepts related?
> 
> At: http://www.w3.org/International/questions/qa-i18n
> 
> (Contributed by Susan K. Miller, Boeing)
> 
> 
> 
> 
> You can find links to internationalization specifications, FAQs, articles, tools, tests, and soon tutorials at http://www.w3.org/International/
> 
> 

-- 
The trouble with the world is that the stupid are cocksure and the
intelligent are full of doubt. -Bertrand Russell, philosopher,
mathematician, author (1872-1970)
[...shouldn't that end with "or maybe not?"]

Received on Thursday, 21 October 2004 18:25:58 UTC