May 4, 2008...12:44 am

Ridiculous programming

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One of my pet peeves is when options to change languages in programs are only listed in the language that the program is currently set to. So, for example, if you were currently in Japanese mode and attempting to change it to English, here’s the menu you are presented with:

日本語
中国語
韓国語
英語
イタリア語
フランス語

If you don’t understand Japanese, how are you supposed to choose ‘English’ from the menu without simply guessing?! What the menu should look like (no matter what language the program is currently set to) is,

日本語
中文
한국어
English
Italiano
Français

If you can read it, you can choose it!

3 Comments

  • what program are you referring to? macs always list them in their respective languages — yay macs!

  • A certain notorious bit torrent site that I have no knowledge of whatsoever…ahem…also does a good job of this. The followup gripe being when the “Language” menu option in the first place is only in the original language. Reading 「言語」 is just as awkward for non-Japanese readers.

  • Mostly I find this sort of programming in things like digital cameras, DVD players, etc. where the options have a language setting.

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