To be sure not to loose old text, make a change in the text before changing the language,like putting a space and removing it. This ensure that the text will be saved. Of course be sure that in the halo's menu of the text check that translatable is checked.

With the Etoys images 3 or 4 ,you have to check 'duplicateControlandAltkeys' in the general preference .to get these commands with alt/number key.

Easiest is to select something in the text and then to use editing handles of the text's halo by right click on the text.

Regards -----Original Message----- From: "Steve Thomas" [sthomas1@gosargon.com] Date: 02/18/2010 02:45 PM To: kharness@illinois.edu, "squeakland" squeakland@squeakland.org Subject: Re: [squeakland] Transalating Text in Etoys - followup from education committee question

Kathleen,

I looked at Berts comment at: http://tracker.squeakland.org/browse/SQ-555

We need a way to look up guides in per-language directories. Maybe by moving the QuickGuides to the locale/<lang> directories?

So it seems for Quick Guides he would prefer a separate copy in each directory.

The method I was discussing is more for making a mulit-lingual Etoy project. Where the text changes to the users native language.

To do that, you can use a Text Object (see list of which text objects this works for below) Enter your text in the default language (ex: English)In the Sugar Flap to the right of the Supplier Bin icon, click on "Choose Language" and pick another language (ex: Spanish)Change the text to SpanishNow when you switch languages the text will change. As was pointed out on the education committee meeting call you will still have problems with different languages using different length words for the same meaning. (ex:English - up -> Spanish: arriba)  This problem is independent of any translation technology, but it is good to be aware of it.  One possible way to deal with this is to change the Kerning.  To change Kerning select a word inside a Text object then <Shift><Cmd><-> to decrease the Kern and <Shift><Cmd><+> to increase the kern. (NOTE: hit all three keys at the same time, ie: Shift,Cmd and minus sign or plus sign).

List of Translatable Text Objects: Text  - this is the one from the supplies binText (border)

List of Non-Translatable Text Objects: Enhanced TextScrolling TextTitle

FYI list of keyboard shortcuts while editing Text (on Windows use <ctrl> on Macintosh <command>: Text Emphasis      (not available on all platforms)  Cmd-1    10 point font  Cmd-2    12 point font  Cmd-3    18 point font  Cmd-4    24 point font  Cmd-5    36 point font  Cmd-6    color, action-on-click, link to class comment, link to method, url          Brings up a menu.  To remove these properties, select          more than the active part and then use command-0.  Cmd-7    bold  Cmd-8    italic  Cmd-9    narrow (same as negative kern)  Cmd-0    plain text (resets all emphasis)  Cmd--    underlined (toggles it)  Cmd-=    struck out (toggles it)

Shift-Cmd--    (aka _) negative kern (letters 1 pixel closer)  Shift-Cmd-+    positive kern (letters 1 pixel larger spread)

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