Specifying a list of target languages

Hi 
all,

 

We have encountered 
the following requirement, which I know also applies to a number of other 
organizations I worked with before joining Cisco.

 

If there is an ITS 
spec for this, please could someone point me to the relevant URL and section 
within the spec.

 

Here is the 
issue:

 

Some elements, 
particularly <note>, are not translated to all target languages. Many 
notes (e.g. warning statements required to meet a specific country or region's 
legal requirements) apply only to a specific set of target 
languages.

 

At present, DITA 
supports an on/off switch via @translate.

 

I would like us to 
propose a solution for the case where authors need to specify a set of target 
languages. I feel this would be best achieved either by extending the definition 
of @translation to have the values "yes | no | group" (I'm sure we can find a 
better word than "group") and add another attribute that lists the target 
languages, or leave @translate alone and simply add a new attribute that lists 
the target languages (in which case, if the attribute is not set the default is 
to translate to all target languages). I'd anticipate a space-separated list of 
language/locale values, such as "it_IT fr_FR fr_CA".

 

I read the blog on 
dita.xml.org that proposes use of a different namespace, but namespaces 
most likely won't be supported by DITA until release 2.0 at the 
earliest.

 

I disagree with the 
statement on the blog that the CMS or translation workflow should manage the 
target languages. We're talking about a set of target languages that apply to a 
specific element, and relying on the translation workflow for this is asking for 
trouble... This information must be associated with the element it applies 
to.

 

Suggestions? 
Comments?

 

JoAnn, please could 
you forward this to the non-OASIS advisors to the Translation 
SC.

 

Thanks in advance 
for your help in driving this to a spec we can submit to the DITA TC, and/or a 
best practice we can document.

 

Gershon

 

  
  

    
      
        
        

          

        

          
            
Gershon 
            Joseph
Technical 
            Leader
PDI 
            DocTools


Phone: 
            +972 9 892-7157
Mobile: +972 57 
            314-1170

          
            
Cisco 
            Systems, Inc.

Israel
Cisco home 
            page

           

      
        
        

           
            Think before you print.

        

          This 
            e-mail may contain confidential and privileged material for the sole 
            use of the intended recipient. Any review, use, distribution or 
            disclosure by others is strictly prohibited. If you are not the 
            intended recipient (or authorized to receive for the recipient), 
            please contact the sender by reply e-mail and delete all copies of 
            this message. 

Cisco Systems Limited (Company Number: 
            02558939), is registered in England and Wales with its registered 
            office at 1 Callaghan Square, Cardiff, South Glamorgan CF10 
        5BT