2023-04-04 - Translation User Group Meeting (London)

Introduction: Yongsheng: There were only two values until 2017: Entire term case sensitive (CS) and Only initial character case insensitive (cI). The third value, Entire term case insensitive (ci) was introduce due to needs in the international edition, where English terms were/are written with initial upper case. For the rules, see table in Editorial Guide: Case Significance The purpose of the rules is to preserve the meaning of the concept when considering changing the case.

Disussion:

Frank: Instead of meaning, isn´t it rather a grammar rule?

Peter: Is it always about meaning? Regarding the concept 315374006 |Born in Australia| the meaning wouldn´t change if Australia was written with lower case, born in australia. It is a question of aesthetics.

François: In the Common French Translation, there are only two values

Elze: How it is shown is an important user case. The national guidelines should address this.

Ole: Are there three "axes" in this discussion:  Aestetics (but isn´t that an implementation issue?), semantics and grammar rules? Should we choose one of the axes?

Elze: Keep all three axes.

Peter: The French approach of simplifying is a sensible choice.

Alejandro: Case sensitivity is rarely used in implementation. Rather start with the use case instead of the rules

Louise: Many case sensitivity errors in the national extension, supports the French approach.

Yongsheng: The value Initial character case sensitivity is not required for languages in which, in general, terms starts with lower case. The rules are based on conventions for the international edition.

Alejandro: Possibly started with RF1 before 2008. It was called initial capital status, referring to the first costumer. This changed when RF1 became RF2.

Frank: The rules were understandable, but not the reason behind: Why?

Anne: There are not many questions regarding this topic in the courses. Maybe expand on what we teach in his areas; Let the learners reflect.

Peter: Initial character or initial letter? Simple approach is first letter, however, it will increase complexity. The issue stems from the Dutch translation.

Elze: In the Dutch translation, when using an English term, the simple quotation mark is being used. So the first character would be a quotation mark.

Yongsheng: Assigning entire term insensitive as a default because it is the most common value, however, this would be dependant upon the language. It´s possbile as a rule in the tool. 

Elze: Rather ignore the initial character as a rule

Yongsheng: Possible in a national extension. Automation is possible, where exceptions are treated as exceptions.

Peter: We need to be consistent in saying initial character, not initial letter. Rules are being created from work with the Dutch extension.

Ole: Follow-up in TUG meeting.

Web pages:

Anne: There is a focus of the implementation team on how to provide information about translations more accessible. Information is already available on the Confluence site, but can be hard to find. The implementation team propose new web pages for translations, but needs help from member countries with providing information. 

François: Good idea, also add multiple NRC-translations such as French and German.

Frank: Important.

Ole: The Translation User Group supports the new design and would be happy to provide necessary information.

Tooling:

Snomed Int. is working on a survey in order to understand the needs and how to provide a better service. Tooling depends on the needs, so it is important to understand these with input from the Translation User Group.

Ole: Welcomes the effort, which is highly appreciated. It is important to take into consideration both the translation project itself and the maintainance afterwards: There are different approaches and needs.

Elze: Also experience with existing tools that are being used by different countries.

Alejandro: It could be useful with a comparing table for the tools

Frank: Germany did this and might be able to share the catalogue.

Anne: The implementation team will continue to work with the survey.