" Microsoft has also managed to upset women and entire countries. A Spanish-language version of Windows XP, destined for Latin American markets, asked users to select their gender between "not specified," "male" or "bitch," because of an unfortunate error in translation. "
Nothing like having microsoft ask you if you are a bitch or not
Posted by Farmgirl (Member # 5567) on :
*cough* link *cough*
Posted by Scott R (Member # 567) on :
That's hilarious.
Posted by Insanity Plea (Member # 2053) on :
We need an official Hatrack /. reader to post interesting articles and have a rule where nobody else is allowed to. Satyagraha
Posted by plaid (Member # 2393) on :
The "search" function for the forums works pretty well nowadays, so if you're thinking of posting a link that's relatively fresh, it only takes a minute to use the search function to see if someone else has already posted it... I've saved my self from getting a few *cough*s this way Posted by Icarus (Member # 3162) on :
How did they mistranslate female into bitch?
Posted by Phanto (Member # 5897) on :
Underpaid translator is my bet.
Posted by Eduardo_Sauron (Member # 5827) on :
I already felt the guilt of double posting.
The pain...the angst! Posted by Icarus (Member # 3162) on :
Yeah, but I'm just trying to think of which specific word they used, and logically understand the error.
Perra? Puta? (Apologies if I offend . . . )
What were they going for?
Hembra? Mujer? Señora?
Posted by Insanity Plea (Member # 2053) on :
This isn't the first time that a multinational corpration has been culturally insesetive...by fact of being large, things like this are bound to happen...it's just the first time it happened to Microsoft. Though, I have other thoughts on how corperations handle cultures anyway... Satyagraha
Posted by Jess N (Member # 6744) on :
Just remember--this is the same corporation that gives us "spell check and grammar check"--a function that is not worth the code wasted to create it. If it can't create a basic program that recognizes the English language and its various nuances, how in the world do we expect anything less than woman to be translated into "bitch?" Posted by Jutsa Notha Name (Member # 4485) on :
Spell and grammar check work okay to me. They can't make me a better writer, but the get rid of the silly little stupid mistakes.
Posted by Jess N (Member # 6744) on :
That's true unless you have an above average vocabulary. Also, grammar check only catches about 30% of the usual "silly mistakes" people make.
Posted by Icarus (Member # 3162) on :
Keep spell check, but turn off grammar check. It is wrong literally more often than right. Ask anybody else you trust to know about grammar--don't just take my word for it. (Or leave it on, but only take its advice when it is recognizably correct to you, and ignore it when it seems more esoteric.)
Posted by Jutsa Notha Name (Member # 4485) on :
Well, I agree that Office 97 was blatantly wrong, but we're a few versions past that now. Since I got Office XP, I've seen it be correct on almost every occasion. The reason I don't heed it all the time is because sometimes the context is not accurate. Like I said, it's a good measure for keeping out silly things like comma splices, but it doesn't make up for crappy grammar.
Posted by Jess N (Member # 6744) on :
Yeah, there's just nothing that matches human grammar correction. Until computers gain more in the way of grey thinking, they will miss the subtle nuances that make our language so interesting and grammatically challenging.
Posted by Icarus (Member # 3162) on :
I hear that other grammar checkers are better. Just M$ being Jack of all trades and master of none again.
Posted by Jutsa Notha Name (Member # 4485) on :
Well, putting it that way is a whole lot different than "not worth the code wasted to create it." It is plenty worth it to me, who isn't a writing or spelling geek. I even use a spell-check on my browser for posting.
Posted by Jess N (Member # 6744) on :
Perhaps Microsoft should invest in people that are grammar and spelling geeks to better develop the program. It isn't worth it in terms of using it for papers for school because it does miss things that grammar teachers look for and because so many students use the programs rather than proofread themselves. That's where my extreme prejudice comes from concerning the programs. When I ask students,"Did you proofread this?" I get tired of them replying, "Oh yeah, I ran grammar check on it."
So forgive my extreme view here. Posted by Icarus (Member # 3162) on :
Jutsa, I'm not sure whom you're responding to . . .
Posted by CaySedai (Member # 6459) on :
Icarus:
the article I read said they used the word "hembra" which has the "bitch" connotation in some countries.
quote:The Spanish version of Windows used the word Hembra - meaning "woman" in Spain - for choosing gender. But in some Central American republics, notably Nicaragua, the word is an insult meaning "bitch". The programme was changed.
Posted by Farmgirl (Member # 5567) on :
Icarus -- we've learned now to never slam M$ when Justa's around. He's their biggest fan....
FG
Posted by Jutsa Notha Name (Member # 4485) on :
And Farmgirl seems to be overly obsessed with making fun of them. Kind of funny when she probably posts the wisecracks from a Windows install.
Posted by Farmgirl (Member # 5567) on :
Good to see you DO have a sense of humor this morning, Justa. I was beginning to wonder if you were serious all the time.
Most of my posts are intended as the teasing, soft punch on the shoulder razzing between friends. I'm afraid up to this point I wasn't sure you understood that, no matter how many smilies I use...
I do have utmost respect for your opinion on these matters.
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Good to see you DO have a sense of humor this morning, Justa. I was beginning to wonder if you were serious all the time.