I’d like to discuss title case usage within the Greek localization of KDE.
This topic might spark some friendly debate within the community.
I’m a strong supporter and contributor to Greek localization efforts, and while the team’s work is fantastic, there’s one aspect that raises concerns: the capitalization of certain buttons, actions, and titles.
The KDE HIG (develop(dot)kde(dot)org/hig/text_and_labels/#capitalization-and-punctuation} specifies sentence case for:
- Sentences ending with periods or colons.
- Clear sentences.
- Subtitles, tooltips, transient messages, and placeholder labels.
- Labels for radio buttons, checkboxes, combobox items, or controls (e.g., Kirigami.FormData.label).
Title case usage isn’t explicitly defined, but it’s likely intended for buttons and titles.
However, Greek capitalization conventions differ from English. After researching the topic, I’m confident that titles in Greek can follow the same title case approach used in English. Buttons and actions could potentially be treated similarly, mirroring capitalization in Greek books.
Why This Matters?
I use my computer in Greek, not just for myself, but for my family as well. The current lack of title case support in the Greek localization presents challenges:
- Accessibility: Title case can improve button distinction for users with visual impairments.
- Consistency: It aligns with conventions used in many operating systems and applications.
- Clarity: Capitalized words enhance button readability and understanding.
- Usability: Title case promotes faster and more intuitive interaction, especially for new users. This is supported by my own observations with my family.
Examples:
- Title Case: Νέος Φάκελος (Neos Fakelos) - New Folder
- Sentence Case: Νέος φάκελος (Neos fakelos) - New Folder
- Title Case: Ρυθμίσεις Συστήματος (Rethmisis Sistimatos) - System Settings
- Sentence Case: Ρυθμίσεις συστήματος (Rethmisis sistimatos) - System Settings
Which approach do you find preferable, considering design principles and accessibility?
Title case is prevalent in Greek government websites and many general Greek websites (not localized).