Bityi (translating code editor): Difference between revisions
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==Branding== |
==Branding== |
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The name for this concept should not require translation, thus it should not be in a natural language. The word "bityi" is drawn whimsically from John Wilkins' artificial language - best known as the butt of Borges' sophisticated joke "El Idioma Analítico de John Wilkins". In a nod to Douglas Adams and his babel fish, it refers to discourse number 42 in Wilkins' tables (bi- discourse; t-5th of 9 subgenuses ; yi, 8th of 9 subspecies). This is intended to indicate that there will be no final answer to the problems presented by language differences, nor would one even be desirable (what good is 42?); yet the search is worthwhile. |
The name for this concept should not require translation, thus it should not be in a natural language. The word "bityi" is drawn whimsically from John Wilkins' 1664 artificial language - best known as the butt of Borges' sophisticated joke "El Idioma Analítico de John Wilkins". In a nod to Douglas Adams and his babel fish, it refers to discourse number 42 in Wilkins' tables (counting from 0 in base 9: bi- discourse; t-5th of 9 subgenuses ; yi, 8th of 9 subspecies). This is intended to indicate that there will be no final answer to the problems presented by language differences, nor would one even be desirable (what good is 42?); yet the search is nevertheless worthwhile. |
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Revision as of 05:04, 20 August 2007
Source-code editor with transparent native-language display
Almost all programming is done in programming "languages" based on English. These are really codes, much less than languages, with a limited vocabulary. Still, it's a significant barrier for other-language programmers, especially young ones. A modern computer, even a cheap one, would have no trouble doing transparent, real-time translation into the user's natural language. For instance, on disk you'd have python "if ... else...", but on screen, you'd see (and write) "si... sino..." (spanish).
Current design thoughts...
are at Source-code editor with transparent native-language display/design.
Older discussion
has been moved to the talk page.
Branding
The name for this concept should not require translation, thus it should not be in a natural language. The word "bityi" is drawn whimsically from John Wilkins' 1664 artificial language - best known as the butt of Borges' sophisticated joke "El Idioma Analítico de John Wilkins". In a nod to Douglas Adams and his babel fish, it refers to discourse number 42 in Wilkins' tables (counting from 0 in base 9: bi- discourse; t-5th of 9 subgenuses ; yi, 8th of 9 subspecies). This is intended to indicate that there will be no final answer to the problems presented by language differences, nor would one even be desirable (what good is 42?); yet the search is nevertheless worthwhile.