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# Problem Words

These are some words that always create problems in that they are often translated into a language using the same word but these words have different meanings in computer terminology.

## How to check for duplicates

You can use pocompendium -v to see if you have used the same word for various English words.

## In and Out of your computer and programs

The following are in order of severity

Word | Meaning
--- | ---
Off | Swith an option off (like switching off a light switch)
Close | Usually closing the Window of an application but not closing the application itself (close a window)
Quit/Exit | Close the application (exit from the stage)
Logout | Close all the applications and return to the login screen (go outside)
Shutdown | Shutdown all systems on the computer and often turn it off (turn the light off)

## Getting rid of things

Word | Meaning
--- | ---
Cancel | Ignore this action
Delete | Remove a file
Stop | Do not continue with this task
Erase | Same as delete
Remove | Same as delete
Clear | Usually to clear the screen, to erase a white/black board

## Your settings, etc

Most of these are the same, although some programs might use them slightly differently.

    Preferences
    Settings
    Configuration
    Options

## Programming languages

You will often see text that relates to programming or programming like languages. Some of them you can change.

- Spreadsheet functions - you can translate these if they make sense
- Program syntax - never translate as this is the grammar of a programming language
- SQL - you should never change this unless the program is providing some user interface that will hide people from the actual SQL language.

### Do translate

- Many people cannot read Latin characters so the words and names will appear meaningless
- You don’t need to think about whether this is or isn’t translatable

### Don't translate

- Think of it as another language, you have to learn the language of the spreadsheet
- Outside of your application people will see only the English so if you translate it will confuse them
- If people work in a multilingual environment its better to leave it untranslated becauase you don’t want them to struggle when they can’t remember the Afrikaans naam for SUM()