Italian Style Guide - Center

Transcript

Italian Style Guide
Contents
What's New? .................................................................................................................................... 4
New Topics ................................................................................................................................... 4
Updated Topics ............................................................................................................................ 4
Introduction ...................................................................................................................................... 5
About This Style Guide ................................................................................................................ 5
Scope of This Document .............................................................................................................. 5
Style Guide Conventions .............................................................................................................. 5
Sample Text ................................................................................................................................. 6
Recommended Reference Material ............................................................................................. 7
Language Specific Conventions ...................................................................................................... 7
Country/Region Standards ........................................................................................................... 7
Characters ................................................................................................................................ 7
Date .......................................................................................................................................... 9
Time ........................................................................................................................................ 12
Numbers ................................................................................................................................. 15
Sorting ..................................................................................................................................... 20
Geopolitical Concerns ................................................................................................................ 24
Grammar, Syntax & Orthographic Conventions ......................................................................... 24
Adjectives ................................................................................................................................ 24
Articles .................................................................................................................................... 26
Capitalization .......................................................................................................................... 28
Compounds............................................................................................................................. 29
Gender .................................................................................................................................... 29
Genitive ................................................................................................................................... 30
Modifiers ................................................................................................................................. 30
Nouns ...................................................................................................................................... 30
Prepositions ............................................................................................................................ 32
Pronouns ................................................................................................................................. 33
Punctuation ............................................................................................................................. 33
Singular & Plural ..................................................................................................................... 38
Split Infinitive ........................................................................................................................... 38
Subjunctive ............................................................................................................................. 38
Symbols & Non-Breaking Spaces........................................................................................... 39
Syntax ..................................................................................................................................... 39
Verbs ....................................................................................................................................... 40
Word Order ............................................................................................................................. 41
Style and Tone Considerations .................................................................................................. 43
Audience ................................................................................................................................. 43
Style ........................................................................................................................................ 43
Tone ........................................................................................................................................ 43
Voice ....................................................................................................................................... 44
Localization Guidelines .................................................................................................................. 45
General Considerations ............................................................................................................. 45
Abbreviations .......................................................................................................................... 45
Accessibility ............................................................................................................................ 47
Acronyms ................................................................................................................................ 47
Applications, Products, and Features ..................................................................................... 48
Frequent Errors ....................................................................................................................... 48
Glossaries ............................................................................................................................... 48
Fictitious Information ............................................................................................................... 49
Recurring Patterns .................................................................................................................. 49
Standardized Translations ...................................................................................................... 50
Unlocalized Items.................................................................................................................... 50
Using the Word Microsoft ....................................................................................................... 51
Software Considerations ............................................................................................................ 52
User Interface ......................................................................................................................... 52
Messages ................................................................................................................................ 56
Keys ........................................................................................................................................ 61
Document Translation Considerations ....................................................................................... 66
Titles ....................................................................................................................................... 66
Copyright ................................................................................................................................. 68
What's New?
Last Updated: May 2011
The entire Style Guide has been reworked. Instructions, guidelines and examples from previous versions have
been reformulated and integrated with new rules, standards and sample translations in order to comply with the
new structure of the document and fulfill its purposes. Language-specific standards and conventions have been
incorporated as well and they extend information previously available in the Italian Language Kit. For these
reasons, this Style Guide should be considered an entirely new reference for localizing Microsoft products into
Italian.
New Topics
The following topics were added:

n/a
Updated Topics
The following topics were updated:

n/a
4
Introduction
This Style Guide went through major revision in February 2011 in order to remove outdated and unnecessary
content.
About This Style Guide
The purpose of this Style Guide is to provide everybody involved in the localization of Italian Microsoft products
with Microsoft-specific linguistic guidelines and standard conventions that differ from or are more prescriptive than
those found in language reference materials. These conventions have been adopted after considering context
based on various needs, but above all, they are easy to follow and applicable for all types of software to be
localized.
The Style Guide covers the areas of formatting, grammatical conventions. It also presents the reader with a
general idea of the reasoning behind the conventions. The present Style Guide is a revision of our previous Style
Guide version with the intention of making it more standardized, more structured, and easier to use as a
reference.
The guidelines and conventions presented in this Style Guide are intended to help you localize Microsoft products
and materials. We welcome your feedback, questions and concerns regarding the Style Guide. Please send your
feedback via the Microsoft Language Portal feedback page.
Scope of This Document
This Style Guide is intended for the localization professional working on Microsoft products. It is not intended to
be a comprehensive coverage of all localization practices, but to highlight areas where Microsoft has preference
or deviates from standard practices for Italian localization.
Style Guide Conventions
In this document, a plus sign (+) before a translation example means that this is the recommended correct
translation. A minus sign (-) is used for incorrect translation examples.
In Microsoft localization context, the word term is used in a slightly untraditional sense, meaning the same as e.g.
a segment in Trados. The distinguishing feature of a term here is that it is translated as one unit; it may be a
traditional term (as used in terminology), a phrase, a sentence, or a paragraph.
References to interface elements really only refer to translatable texts associated with those interface elements.
Example translations in this document are only intended to illustrate the point in question. They are not a source
of approved terminology. Always check for approved translation in the Microsoft terminology database.
5
Sample Text
Ravenna è città d'arte e cultura con una grande eredità di monumenti e di edifici religiosi decorati con mosaici
così unici che sono stati dichiarati patrimonio dell'umanità. L'arte del mosaico ha trovato qui la sua più ampia
espressione: Ravenna conserva il più ricco patrimonio mondiale di mosaici antichi dei secoli V e VI e ha dato
origine all'iconologia cristiana, una forma d'arte che combina simbolismo e realismo. È caratteristica comune delle
chiese ravennati la compresenza di culture ed espressioni artistiche, in particolare nelle splendide decorazioni
che ne arricchiscono gli interni. Ravenna è infatti un crogiolo di arte romana, gota, bizantina, nonché medievale,
veneziana, moderna e contemporanea.
È una città da visitare in qualsiasi stagione dell'anno poiché offre sempre qualcosa di nuovo, con un programma
ricco di concerti, spettacoli, manifestazioni artistiche ed eventi internazionali.
C'è sempre un ambiente naturale o un tesoro artistico da scoprire e godere in pace e tranquillità. D'estate, in una
calda giornata, è riposante ammirare gli splendidi mosaici, le colonne marmoree e gli eleganti capitelli al fresco
delle basiliche. D'inverno, si può andare alla scoperta dei tesori nascosti della città: quando il sole è un po' pallido,
più forte è il contrasto con i preziosi mosaici che illuminano all'interno chiese e monumenti antichi.
Ravenna è sempre affascinante: un ricco calendario di eventi, la possibilità di innumerevoli escursioni nei dintorni
e le fantastiche opportunità di divertimento della riviera ne fanno una meta unica. È infatti una città d'arte in riva al
mare, grazie alla vicinanza di località balneari con le loro spiagge di sabbia che coprono 36 km di costa. Quando
arriva l'estate, come resistere al richiamo invitante dell'acqua del mare?
Il turismo a Ravenna però non è solo arte o mare: gli amanti della natura rimarranno affascinati da una sosta nelle
pinete, da una visita nell'oasi naturale di Punte Alberete o di passeggiate nelle valli del Delta del Po. Non c'è nulla
di più affascinante dello stretto contatto con l'enorme varietà di vegetazione e l'avvistamento di rari esemplari
della fauna locale.
Non a caso più di 6 milioni di turisti all'anno scelgono di venire a Ravenna!
Per ulteriori informazioni:
Chiara Rossi
Assessorato al Turismo
Via Romea 8/12
48100 Ravenna
Tel. 054455555
Il nostro personale sarà a vostra disposizione per ogni vostra richiesta e curiosità, in particolare per informazioni
sulle strutture ricettive.
Documento creato venerdì 10 gennaio 2003 alle 14.30
NOTE: Sample text is taken from the Italian Language Kit.
Disclaimer: Please note that the information in this sample text should under no circumstances be used in
examples as fictitious information
6
Recommended Reference Material
Use the Italian language and terminology as described and used in the following publications.
1. Microsoft Language Portal
2. MSDN
3. TechNet
4. Microsoft Glossaries
Language Specific Conventions
This part of the style guide contains information about standards specific to Italian.
Country/Region Standards
Characters
Country/region
Italy
Lower-case characters
a, à, b, c, d, e, é, è, f, g, h, i, ì, j, k, l, m, n, o, ò, p, q, r, s, t, u, ù, v, w, x, y, z
Upper-case characters
A, À, B, C, D, E, É, È, F, G, H, I, Ì, J, K, L, M, N, O, Ò, P, Q, R, S, T, U, Ù, V, W,
X, Y, Z
Characters in caseless
scripts
n/a
Extended Latin characters
à, À, é, É, è, È, ì, Ì , ò, Ò, ù, Ù
Note on alphabetical order
Alphabetical order is not necessarily indicative of sorting order.
Total number of characters
26 plus extended characters
Unicode codes
a
A
à
À
b
B
c
C
ç
0061
0041
00e0
00c0
0062
0042
0063
0043
00e7
7
Country/region
Italy
Ç
d
D
e
E
é
É
è
È
f
F
g
G
h
H
i
I
ì
Ì
j
J
k
K
l
L
m
M
n
N
o
O
ò
Ò
p
P
q
Q
r
R
s
S
t
T
00c7
0064
0044
0065
0045
00e9
00c9
00e8
00c8
0066
0046
0067
0047
0068
0048
0069
0049
00EC
00CC
006a
004a
006b
004b
006c
004c
006d
004d
006e
004e
006f
004f
00F2
00D2
0070
0050
0071
0051
0072
0052
0073
0053
0074
0054
8
Country/region
Italy
u
U
ù
Ù
v
V
w
W
x
X
y
Y
z
Z

Notes

0075
0055
00f9
00d9
0076
0056
0077
0057
0078
0058
0079
0059
007a
005a
Officially, the Italian alphabet contains only 21 letters, a b c d e f g h i l m n o
p q r s t u v z, because j, k, w, x, and y are not used in Italian words, but in
practice all 26 letters of the standard English alphabet are used to deal with
foreign words used in Italian, and X and Y are used to indicate the axes of a
graph and for other mathematical purposes. The only implication in
localization is that J, K, W, X and Y should not be used in an ordered list,
e.g. for callouts, as Italians might not be fully familiar with their exact order in
an alphabetical list. In indexes, where there might be heading for each letter
of the alphabet, J, K, W, X and Y should be included only if there are
(foreign) entries starting with such letters, otherwise the headings should be
removed.
Accented characters are not regarded as separate characters in the Italian
alphabet
Date
Country/region
Italy
Calendar/Era
Gregorian
First Day of the Week
Monday
First Week of the Year
First week is the one containing the first Thursday of January
Separator
slash (/)
Default Short Date
Format
dd/MM/yyyy
9
Country/region
Italy
Example
17/03/2011
Default Long Date Format dddd d MMMM yyyy
Example
mercoledì 17 marzo 2011
Additional Short Date
Format 1
dd/MM/yy
Example
17/03/11
Format 2
dd.M.yy
Example
17.3.11
Additional Long Date
Format 1
d MMMM yyyy
Example
17 marzo 2011
Format 2
d-MMM-yy
Example
17-mar-11
Leading Zero in Day Field
for Short Date Format
Yes
Leading Zero in Month
Field for Short Date
Format
Yes
No. of digits for year for
Short Day Format
4
for Long Date Format
No
Field for Long Date
Format
n/a (names of months are written)
Number of digits for year
for Long Day Format
4
Date Format for
Correspondence
cityname, d MMMM yyyy
Example
Milano, 17 marzo 2011
10
Country/region
Italy

Notes

In correspondence the date is preceded by the name of the city and a
comma. Alternatively, the format d MMMM yyyy is used
Names of days and months are not capitalized in Italian
d is for day, number of d's indicates the format (d = digits without leading zero, dd =
digits with leading zero, ddd = the abbreviated day name, dddd = full day name)
Abbreviations in Format
Codes
M is for month, number of M's gives number of digits. (M = digits without leading
zero, MM = digits with leading zero, MMM = the abbreviated name, MMMM = full
name)
y is for year, number of y's gives number of digits (yy = two digits, yyyy = four digits)
Country/region
Switzerland
Calendar/Era
Gregorian
First Day of the Week
Monday
First Week of the Year
First week is the one containing the first Thursday of January
Separator
period (.)
Default Short Date
Format
dd.MM.yyyy
Example
17.03.2011
Default Long Date Format dddd, d. MMMM yyyy
Example
mercoledì, 17. marzo 2011
Format 1
n/a
Example
n/a
Format 2
n/a
Example
n/a
Format 1
n/a
Example
n/a
Format 2
n/a
11
Country/region
Switzerland
Example
n/a
for Short Date Format
Yes
Field for Short Date
Format
Yes
No. of digits for year for
Short Day Format
4
for Long Date Format
No
Field for Long Date
Format
n/a (names of months are written)
Number of digits for year
for Long Day Format
4
Date Format for
Correspondence
cityname, d MMMM yyyy
Example
Milano, 17 marzo 2011
Notes
n/a
d is for day, number of d's indicates the format (d = digits without leading zero, dd =
digits with leading zero, ddd = the abbreviated day name, dddd = full day name)
Abbreviations in Format
Codes
M is for month, number of M's gives number of digits. (M = digits without leading
zero, MM = digits with leading zero, MMM = the abbreviated name, MMMM = full
name)
y is for year, number of y's gives number of digits (yy = two digits, yyyy = four digits)
Time
Country/region
Italy
24 hour format
Yes
Standard time format
HH.mm.ss
example
23.43.12
12
Country/region
Italy
Time separator
period (.)
Time separator examples
23.42.12
Hours leading zero
Yes
Hours leading zero example
08.04.05
String for AM designator
n/a
String for PM designator
n/a
Notes
n/a
Country/region
Switzerland
24 hour format
Yes
HH.mm.ss
example
23.43.12
Time separator
period (.)
Time separator examples
23.42.12
Hours leading zero
Yes
Hours leading zero example
08.04.05
String for AM designator
n/a
String for PM designator
n/a
Notes
n/a
Days
Country/region: Italy, Switzerland
Day
Normal Form
Abbreviation
Monday
lunedì
lun.
Tuesday
martedì
mar.
Wednesday
mercoledì
mer.
Thursday
giovedì
gio.
13
Day
Normal Form
Abbreviation
Friday
venerdì
ven.
Saturday
sabato
sab.
Sunday
domenica
dom.
First Day of Week: Monday
Is first letter capitalized?: No
Notes:


If needed, e.g. software, abbreviated forms can be written without full stop (period)
If one-character abbreviations are needed, it is acceptable to have the same abbreviation for Tuesday (M)
and Wednesday (M). In this case, capital letters are used and no full stop (period) is used:
L
M
M
G
V
S
D
Months
Country/region: Italy, Switzerland
Month
Full Form
Abbreviated Form
Long Date Form
January
gennaio
gen
same as full form
February
febbraio
feb
same as full form
March
marzo
mar
same as full form
April
aprile
apr
same as full form
May
maggio
mag
same as full form
June
giugno
giu
same as full form
July
luglio
lug
same as full form
August
agosto
ago
same as full form
September
settembre
set
same as full form
October
ottobre
ott
same as full form
14
Month
Full Form
Abbreviated Form
Long Date Form
November
novembre
nov
same as full form
December
dicembre
dic
same as full form
Is first letter capitalized?: No
Notes: Abbreviated forms can also be followed by a period.
Numbers
Country/region
Italy
Native digits
0123456789
Symbol for positive sign
no positive sign used (except in mathematical expressions or financial reporting
where it is required; in such cases a plus sign is used: "+")
Symbol for negative sign
dash (-)
Positive numeric pattern
no sign symbol is used
Example
1.000
Negative numeric pattern
sign symbol is used before the number without blank.
Example
-1.000
Decimal separator
comma (,)
Example
1,23
Thousand separator
period (.)
Example
1.500
Decimal leading zero
Yes
Example
0,55
15
Phone Numbers
Country/
region
International
Dialing
Code
Area
Codes
Used?
Number of
Digits –
Area Codes
Separator
Number of
Digits –
Domestic
Digit Groupings –
Domestic
Italy
39
yes
2; 3; 4
none; space;
point; hyphen
8;9;10
#### #####; ####
####; ## #### ####;
## ## ## ## ##; ###
### ## ##; ### ## ##
##; ## ########; ##
######; ## ### ###
Country/
region
Number of
Digits –
Local
Digit
Groupings
– Local
Number of
Digits –
Mobile
Digit
Groupings –
Mobile
Number of
Digits –
International
Digit Groupings –
International
Italy
n/a
n/a
9;10
###
#######;
### ######;
##########;
#########,
### ## ##
###, ### ##
## ##, ###
### ## ##
n/a
+39 #### #####; +39
#### ####; +39 ##
#### ####; +39 ## ##
## ## ##; +39 ### ###
## ##; +39 ### ## ##
##; +39 ## ########;
+39 ## ######; +39
## ### ###
Notes:


When calling from abroad, the initial 0 of landline numbers is always retained.
Italian phone numbers no longer distinguish between area code and local phone number like in other
countries. As a result, all Italian landline phone numbers start with a 0, and all mobile phone numbers
start with a 3. They can be written as one single number with no separator or, to make reading easier,
digits can be grouped and separated by spaces, and in handwriting also by hyphens and, if referring to
the old system, with former area codes within brackets. When grouping, digits can be grouped two by two
and separated by spaces; the grouping starts from the right and if the number of digits is not even, the
first three digits are often grouped together, e.g. 065 55 55 55, 06 12 34 56 78
Addresses
Country/region: Italy
Disclaimer: Please note that the information in this entry should under no circumstances be used in examples as
fictitious information.
16
Address Format:
1. [Title] FirstName LastName
2. [CompanyName]
3. Address1
4. [Address2]
5. [CountryCode - ]PostalCode City [Province]
6. [Country]
Example Address:
Dott. Mario Rossi
Cartiere S.p.A.
Via Garibaldi 8
20090 Segrate MI
Italia
Local Postal Code Format: xxxxx
Notes:





Addresses are always left aligned.
FirstName can be omitted if Title is used
PostalCode consists of five digits, all in one block. One space between PostalCode and City and between
City and Province.
Province is a two letter code, always uppercase. It can be omitted if City is also a province. Preferred
usage should be without brackets, but some people still write it within brackets, e.g.: 20090 Segrate (MI)
If CountryCode is placed in front of PostalCode, it should be followed by space+hyphen+space. When
CountryCode is used, there will be no Country at the end of the address. CountryCode should have a
negative indent, so that PostalCode is still vertically aligned to the rest of the address, e.g.
Mario Rossi
via Garibaldi 8
I - 20090 Segrate MI

Very often a blank line is inserted between Address lines and PostalCode+City line, e.g.
Mario Rossi
via Garibaldi 8
20090 Segrate MI
17
Currency
Country/region
Italy
Currency Name
Euro
Currency Symbol
€
Currency Symbol Position
Symbol is placed in front of the numeral and is followed by a space
Positive Currency Format
€ 123,45
Negative Sign Symbol
A hyphen is used in front of the symbol; there is no space between
hyphen and figure
Negative Currency Format
-€ 123,45
Decimal Symbol
comma (,)
Number of Digits after Decimal
2
Digit Grouping Symbol
period (.)
Number of Digits in Digit
Grouping
3
Positive Currency Example
€ 123.456.789,00
Negative Currency Example
-€ 123.456.789,00
ISO Currency Code
EUR
Currency Subunit Name
centesimo (plural: centesimi), or also cent (plural unchanged)
Currency Subunit Symbol
C
Currency Subunit Example
Not normally used; decimal values are used instead, e.g. € 0,80
Digit Groups
Country/region: Italy
Decimal Separator: ,
Decimal Separator Description: comma
Decimal Separator Example: 1,2
Thousand Separator: .
Thousand Separator Description: period
Thousand Separator Example: 1.500
Notes: In Italian, a comma is used as a decimal separator. Amounts in euros have two decimal figures.
18
Measurement Units
Metric System Commonly Used?: Yes
Temperature: Celsius
Category
English
Translation
Abbreviation
Linear Measure
Kilometer
chilometro
km
Meter
metro
m
Decimeter
decimetro
dm
Centimeter
centimetro
cm
Millimeter
millimetro
mm
Hectoliter
ettolitro
hl
Liter
litro
l
Deciliter
decilitro
dl
Centiliter
centilitro
cl
Milliliter
millilitro
ml
Ton
tonnellata
t
Kilogram
chilogrammo
kg
Pound
libbra
n/a
Gram
grammo
g
Decigram
decigrammo
dg
Centigram
centigrammo
cg
Milligram
milligrammo
mg
Inch
pollice
n/a
Feet
piede
n/a
Mile
miglio
n/a
Gallon
gallone
n/a
Capacity
Mass
English Units of
Measurement
Notes:
English units of measurements should not be used in Italian, but should always be converted. Inches is maybe
the exception in some specific contexts, e.g. TV screens. In such cases, if possible the word pollici rather than the
19
symbol " should be used, e.g. 12 pollici. No other abbreviation for English units of measurements is used in
Italian.
The list for English units of measurements includes singular forms. Please note that singular and plural forms are:
pollice - pollici
piede - piedi
miglio - miglia
gallone - galloni
Percentages
Percentages are usually written in figures followed by the symbol %. No blank spaces are used between the
figure and the symbol, e.g. 45%.
Sorting
Sorting rules
Character
sorting order
1. Lowercase letters sort before equal words with upper-case letters.
2. Accented characters are equal with non-accented characters; so é and e are equal. Anyway,
in case of identical words distinguished by an accented character, the word without the
accented character sorts before the other (e.g. calamita, calamità).
3. Non-alphabetical characters (i.e. symbols like @ ! #) sort before the letters of the alphabet.
4. Digits sort before the non-alphabetical characters and before the letters of the alphabet.
a
97
A
65
à
224
À
192
b
98
B
66
c
99
C
67
ç
231
Ç
199
d
100
D
68
e
101
E
69
é
233
É
201
20
è
232
È
200
f
102
F
70
g
103
G
71
h
104
H
72
i
105
I
73
ì
236
Ì
204
j
106
J
74
k
107
K
75
l
108
L
76
m
109
M
77
n
110
N
78
o
111
O
79
ò
242
Ò
210
p
112
P
80
q
113
Q
81
r
114
R
82
s
115
S
83
t
116
21
T
84
u
117
U
85
ù
249
Ù
217
v
118
V
86
w
119
W
87
x
120
X
88
y
121
Y
89
z
122
1
@
Aaron
andere
ändere
chaque
chemin
cote
coté
côte
Examples of
sorted words
côté
čučēt
Czech
hiša
irdisch
lävi
lie
lire
llama
lõug
Löwen
22
lòza
luč
luck
Lübeck
lye
Männer
màšta
mîr
möchten
myndig
piña
pint
pylon
sämtlich
šàran
savoir
Šerbūra
Sietla
ślub
subtle
symbol
väga
verkehrt
vox
waffle
wood
yen
yuan
yucca
ţal
ţena
Ţenēva
zoo
Zürich
Zviedrija
23
zysk
zzlj
zzlz
zznj
zznz
Geopolitical Concerns
Part of the cultural adaptation of the US-product to a specific market is the resolving of geopolitical issues. While
the US-product should have been designed and developed with neutrality and a global audience in mind, the
localized product should respond to the particular situation that applies within the target country/region.
Sensitive issues or issues that might potentially be offensive to the users in the target country/region may occur in
any of the following:

Maps

Flags

Country/region, city and language names

Art and graphics
 Cultural content, such as encyclopedia content and other text where historical or political references may
occur
Some of these issues are relatively easy to verify and resolve: the objective should be for the localizer to always
have the most current information available. Maps and other graphic representations of countries/regions and
regions should be checked for accuracy and existing political restrictions. Country/region, city and language
names change on a regular basis and need to be checked, even if previously approved.
A thorough understanding of the culture of the target market is required for checking the appropriateness of
cultural content, clip art and other visual representations of religious symbols, body and hand gestures.
Grammar, Syntax & Orthographic Conventions
This section includes information on how to apply the general rules of the Italian language to Microsoft products
and documentation.
Adjectives
In Italian, adjectives should be handled in the following manner.
24
Qualifying adjectives
The qualifying adjective is the most common type of adjective used in Italian. Its use substantially differs from
English because it can occur before or after the noun it refers to. Depending on where the qualifying adjective is
placed, the meaning can be slightly different. The rule of thumb is that the qualifying adjective follows the noun
when it is used to distinguish the object among others.
Example:
This product includes innovative features.
(+) Questo prodotto include funzionalità innovative.
In this case, the qualifying adjective implies that several features are available, but a few of them distinguish
themselves because they are "innovative".
If the qualifying adjective occurs before the noun, it simply refers to a quality of the object without creating an
effect of contrast with other possible qualities.
Example:
The innovative features of this product can help users to improve productivity.
(+) Le innovative funzionalità di questo prodotto possono aiutare gli utenti ad aumentare la produttività.
Possessive adjectives
The frequent use of possessives is a feature of English language. However in Italian, possessive adjectives
should be usually omitted, except in special marketing-oriented texts or Web sites in which addressing the users
in a direct and more colloquial style is a requirement. This choice should be agreed case by case with the
Microsoft project team.
Example:
Publisher cannot wrap your text around the image.
(+) Impossibile adattare il testo attorno all'immagine.
Indefinitive adjectives: any
The translation of the adjective "any" into Italian may raise problems. Therefore, its meaning should be evaluated
not only based on grammar rules, but also considering the context .
As a general rule, "any" may be used as follows:
1. To refer to one specific object in a group of objects sharing certain features, which is chosen for a reason:
Example:
Open any file that you want to edit
(+) Aprire un [qualsiasi] file da [che si desidera] modificare
2. To refer to a whole set of objects in order to explain a common characteristic:
Example:
You can drag any items
(+) È possibile trascinare qualsiasi elemento [i.e. all of the items can be dragged]
25
3. To indicate a choice among alternatives.
Example:
Perform any of the following steps
(+) Effettuare uno o più dei passaggi seguenti
4. To refer to all of the objects of a group.
Example:
Select any files you want to delete
(+) Selezionare [tutti] i file che si desidera eliminare
5. In negative sentences.
Example:
Cannot find any user
(+) Impossibile trovare alcun utente
(+) Impossibile trovare utenti
Articles
General considerations
Special attention should be paid in using the determinative article in Italian when translating terms including
English nouns in the plural. Please refer to the following example:
… a software problem, such as a problem with drivers or files, which is preventing the system from starting.
(+) …un problema software relativo ad esempio a driver o file (i.e. the problem can be due to one or more than
one driver or file)
(–) … un problema software relativo ad esempio ai driver o ai file (i.e. the problem is due to all of drivers and files)
Unlocalized Feature Names
Microsoft product names and non-translated feature names are used without definite or indefinite articles in the
English language.
Example:
To use this application, you will need to install the .NET Framework.
(+) Per utilizzare questa applicazione, è necessario installare .NET Framework
This document can be edited using the Microsoft Word Web App
(+) Questo documento può essere modificato con Microsoft Word Web App
26
Localized Feature Names
Translated feature names are used with articles when they refer to a physical object.
Example:
Calculator
(+) La Calcolatrice
Notepad
(+) Il Blocco note
If the translated feature name refers to an abstract concept, the article should not be used.
Example:
Windows Explorer
(+) Esplora risorse
Remote Access
(+) Accesso remoto
Translated wizard names are an exception because they require the article.
Example:
Please run the Setup Wizard.
(+) Eseguire l'Installazione guidata
To create a template, please use the Template Wizard
(+) Per creare un modello, utilizzare la Creazione guidata modello
Articles for English Borrowed Terms
When faced with an English loan word previously used in Microsoft products, consider the following options:



Motivation: Does the English word have any formally motivated features that would allow a
straightforward integration into the noun class system of Italian language?
Analogy: Is there an equivalent Italian term whose article could be used?
Frequency: Is the term used in other technical documentation? If so, what article is used most often?
The internet may be a helpful reference here.
For foreign words, the article that would occur before an Italian word beginning with the same sound should be
used:
Example:
The joystick
(+) Il joystick
27
The leading h is usually ignored in Italian as for the use of articles.
Example:
The host
(+) L'host (i.e. the article that would be used before an Italian word beginning with 'o')
The letter w is considered a consonant as for the use of articles.
Examples:
The Web
(+) Il Web
The swapping
(+) Lo swapping
There are no specific rules to establish the gender of foreign words. They are often used in the masculine, but
words recalling feminine Italian words usually agree in the feminine.
Example:
Password
(+) La password (i.e. the word "password" recalls the Italian "parola")
These guidelines do not apply to all cases, therefore the choice should be often driven by how the word is
commonly used by native speakers and in authoritative sources of reference.
Capitalization
In most cases, English conventions related to capitalization are not applicable to Italian. Please refer to the
guidelines described below.
1. In titles and headings, only the first character of the first word should be upper-case.
Example:
Setting Up Printer's Options
(+) Impostazione delle opzioni della stampante
2. Names of days, months, currencies, languages and nationalities begin with lower-case.
Examples:
(+) Monday = lunedì
(+) June = giugno
(+) 1 US Dollar = 1 dollaro statunitense
(+) The user speaks Italian = L'utente parla italiano
(+) My mother is Polish = Mia madre è polacca
3. UI items begins with a lower-case character. In case of UI items made up of multiple words, only the first
character of the first word is upper-case.
Examples:
28
(+) The File menu = Il menu File
(+) Edit Movie = Modifica filmato
4. In UI items made up of two alternative commands separated by a slash (/), both commands begin with an
upper-case character.
Examples:
(+) Import/Export Files = Importa/Esporta file
(+) Show/Hide Grid = Mostra/Nascondi griglia
5. Names of keyboard keys should be written in all capital letters.
Examples:
(+) Enter = INVIO
(+) Shift Lock = BLOC MAIUSC
6. Legal documents, such as agreements, licenses, and statements, may include entire upper-case
paragraphs and/or common nouns beginning with upper-case. These conventions in the source
document may have legal implications and should be retained in target.
Examples:
YOU AGREE TO BE BOUND BY THE TERMS OF THIS EULA BY INSTALLING, COPYING, OR USING
THE SOFTWARE. IF YOU DO NOT AGREE, DO NOT INSTALL, COPY, OR USE THE SOFTWARE;
YOU MAY RETURN IT TO YOUR PLACE OF PURCHASE FOR A FULL REFUND, IF APPLICABLE.
(+) INSTALLANDO, DUPLICANDO O ALTRIMENTI UTILIZZANDO IL SOFTWARE, L’UTENTE
ACCETTA DI ESSERE VINCOLATO DALLE CONDIZIONI DEL PRESENTE CONTRATTO. QUALORA
L’UTENTE NON ACCETTI LE CONDIZIONI DEL PRESENTE CONTRATTO, ALLORA NON POTRÀ
INSTALLARE, DUPLICARE O UTILIZZARE IL SOFTWARE E DOVRÀ RESTITUIRLO PRONTAMENTE
AL RIVENDITORE. IN TALE IPOTESI, QUALORA AL MOMENTO DELL’ACQUISTO IL RIVENDITORE
ABBIA EMESSO FATTURA, L’UTENTE POTRÀ OTTENERE IL RIMBORSO DEL PREZZO.
1.1 Installation and use. You may:
(a) install and use a copy of the Software on one personal computer or other device;
(+) 1.1 Installazione e Utilizzo. L’utente potrà:
(a) installare e utilizzare una copia del Software su di un singolo computer o altro dispositivo;
Compounds
Generally, compounds should be understandable and clear to the user. Overly long or complex compounds
should be avoided. Keep in mind that unintuitive compounds are ultimately an intelligibility and usability issue.
Gender
Variable parts of speech in Italian are articles, nouns, pronouns, adjectives and verbs. Each noun in Italian has a
gender and it can be masculine or feminine. The neuter gender does not exist in Italian. In general, all variable
parts of speech should agree in gender (and number) with the noun they refer to. When one adjective, verb, and
so on refers to multiple nouns with different genders, the masculine prevails against feminine.
29
Example:
New documents and dimensions
(+) Nuovi documenti e dimensioni
Please note the following exception:
1. A few words deriving by neuter Latin words require the agreement in the masculine even though their
grammar gender appears feminine.
Example:
Something went wrong
(+) Qualcosa è andato storto
Sometimes the meaning of a noun changes depending on its gender (and number). For information about this
subject, please refer to section Nouns below in this document.
Genitive
This section does not apply to Italian.
Modifiers
This section does not really apply to Italian. For general information about the way modifiers can affect style and
meaning, please refer to sections about qualifying adjectives and word order.
Nouns
General considerations
Most nouns derive from Latin or Greek. In a few cases, they can be the Latinization of foreign words. Nouns can
only inflect by gender and number. Gender is not determined by the meaning, except for proper nouns, which
cannot inflect by number.
Example:
A beautiful home
(+) Una bella casa
Francis (proper noun of person)
(+) Francesco (masculine)
(+) Francesca (feminine)
Inflection
Nouns can only inflect by gender and number. Gender is not determined by the meaning, except for proper
nouns, which cannot inflect by number.
30
Example:
A beautiful home
(+) Una bella casa
Francis (proper noun of person)
(+) Francesco (masculine)
(+) Francesca (feminine)
Sometimes, the feminine gender of a noun in the plural denotes the literal meaning, and the masculine denotes a
figurative meaning.
Example:
(+) Le braccia = the arms
(+) I bracci = the inlets
In Italian, nouns can also be "altered" in order to express particular shades of meaning.
Examples:
Libro = book > Libretto = a small book > Libraccio = a bad book
Tavolo = table > tavolino = a small table
Alterations are usually reserved to informal and colloquial speech and should be absolutely avoided in documents
and software. Use adjectives or paraphrase instead.
Example:
A big book
(+) Un libro di grandi dimensioni
(+) Un grande libro
(–) Un librone
Plural Formation
Gender
Singular
Plural
Masculine
-o
-i
Feminine
-a
-e
Masculine/Feminine
-e
-i
Masculine
-a
-i
31
The plural form of nouns ending with an accented vowel is equal to singular.
Example:
The city
(+) La città
The cities
(+) Le città
The plural form of foreign words is equal to singular.
Example:
Files have been deleted.
(+) I file sono stati eliminati.
Please note that when the plural form is equal to singular, articles, adjectives, verbs and other modifiers agree in
the plural denoting the actual number of the invariable noun.
Sometimes, the masculine plural acts as a count noun, while the feminine plural acts as a mass noun.
Example:
(+) Due cervelli = two brains
(+) Le cervella = the cerebral matter
Prepositions
Pay attention to the correct use of the preposition in translations. Influenced by the English language, many
translators omit them or change the word order.
This aspect requires special attention. Even though in most cases the literal translation of the English preposition
is appropriate in Italian, there are contexts in which a different preposition should be used.
US Expression
Italian Expression
Comment
Save on the disk
Salvare su disco
Literal translation of the preposition
"on" is correct.
Select the Open command on the
File menu
Scegliere il comando Apri dal menu
File
In this case, the preposition "on"
should be translated using
preposition "da".
Click the button
Fare clic sul pulsante
English does not use a preposition
after the verb "to click". On the
contrary a preposition is required in
Italian.
32
US Expression
Italian Expression
Comment
Insert the image into the document
Inserire l'immagine nel documento
Literal translation of the preposition
"into" is correct.
He is from Milan
È di Milano
Please review data from the
database
Verificare i dati del database
Preposition "from" used to denote
where something/someone belongs
to should be translated using the
preposition "di".
This query retrieves specific data
from the database
Questa query recupera dati specifici
dal/del database
In this case, both prepositions "del"
and "dal" are acceptable in Italian
because of the verb "recuperare"
and the fact that "specific" data are
involved.
Pronouns
Besides the standard grammar rules to be followed in using pronouns, when translating software and/or
documentation localizers should take into account the following remarks as far as style is concerned:
-
English, especially technical English, is far more redundant than Italian. When translating from English
into Italian the degree of redundancy of the source text often needs to be reduced in target using
pronouns, otherwise fluency may be affected. Please be advised that this should not affect accuracy,
therefore when translating very technical and complex strings, it is essential to ensure that users are able
to associate pronouns to the noun they refer to uniquely.
Example:
To delete a file from your computer, select the file from the right pane and click Delete.
(+) Per eliminare un file dal computer, selezionarlo nel riquadro a destra e fare clic su Elimina.
Punctuation
General punctuation rules in Italian may be substantially different from English. Besides the following guidelines,
please make sure to refer to instructions available in the Country/Region Standards sections of this Style Guide
for information on how to use punctuation in standard formats.
Never insert blank spaces before punctuation. Always use a single blank space after punctuation.
Example:
This folder contains music files, video clips, and Word documents. Please select a file.
(+) Questa cartella contiene file musicali, clip video e documenti di Word. Selezionare un file.
33
Comma
The use of commas in Italian is somehow subjective and may depend on personal taste and preferences.
Anyway, a few general guidelines can be identified:
-
-
-
Never use a comma to separate the subject from the verb in a sentence.
Example:
The file has been removed
(–) Il file, è stato rimosso
(+) Il file è stato rimosso
Avoid using a comma before conjunctions 'e', 'o' and 'oppure' unless they introduce an aside.
Example:
Assign permissions to users, or groups
(+) Assegna autorizzazioni a utenti o gruppi
Avoid using commas after locative adjuncts.
Example:
In the Find dialog, click Options
(+) Nella finestra di dialogo Trova fare clic su Opzioni
Colon
Colons can be used to introduce a listing, a procedure, a note, and so on.
Terms following a colon sign on the same line should begin with lower-case. Depending on special requirements,
this rule can be ignored in document titles and headings.
Example:
NOTE: To open a file, please click Open
(+) NOTA: per aprire un file, fare clic su Apri
Step 1: Creating a template
(+) Passaggio 1: Creazione di un modello
When a term follows a colon sign but it is placed on another line, it should begin with upper-case.
Example:
NOTE:
To open a file, please click Open
(+) NOTA:
Per aprire un file, fare clic su Apri
Do not overuse colons within sentences, but prefer commas or semicolon wherever possible:
Example:
34
Databases are made up of several objects: tables, queries, reports, and so on.
(+) I database sono costituiti da diversi oggetti: tabelle, query, report e così via.
(+) I database sono costituiti da diversi oggetti, ad esempio tabelle, query, report e così via. (preferred)
Dashes and Hyphens
Three different dash characters are used in English:
Hyphen
The hyphen is used to divide words between syllables, to link parts of a compound word, to divide two concepts
into a title or heading. The hyphen should not be used in Italian to enclose asides within a sentence (use commas
instead) nor to introduce listing (use colon, commas or semicolon instead).
Example:
Databases - Essential Concepts
(+) Database - Concetti essenziali
This function is used for pre-processing.
(+) Questa funzione viene utilizzata per la pre-elaborazione.
The current account - the account used by the current user to log in - belongs to the local Administrators group.
(+) L'account corrente, ovvero quello utilizzato dall'utente corrente per l'accesso, appartiene al gruppo
Administrators locale.
En Dash
The en dash is used as a minus sign, usually with no spaces after.
Example:
The temperature is - 20°
(+) La temperature è di -20°
The en dash is also used in number ranges, such as those specifying page numbers.
Example:
Tab value out of range (0-1)
(+) Valore di tabulazione fuori misura (0-1)
Em Dash
The em dash should not be used in Italian, and it should be replaced with an hyphen.
Example:
Word Templates – Folder
(+) Modelli di Word - Cartella
35
Ellipses (Suspension Points)
Ellipses can be used in software to indicate that an operation is in progress (adding the expression "in corso") or
appended to a UI command to indicate that clicking that command the user will be presented further options to
choice from. Ellipses in source software progress messages and options should be retained in target version, and
removed in documentation or descriptions where a message or an option including ellipses is mentioned.
Examples:
Please wait. Removing files from your computer…
(+) Attendere. Rimozione dei file dal computer in corso…
Save as…
(+) Salva con nome…
If you want to save a copy of your file, please click Save as… from the File menu.
(+) Se si desidera salvare una copia del file, scegliere Salva con nome dal menu File.
Period
Period is used to end a paragraph or a sentence in a paragraph, and for abbreviated words. When it is used in an
abbreviation the last letter of the word before the period should be a consonant and the first letter of the
subsequent word should be lower-case.
Example:
E-mail Settings
(+) Impostaz. posta elettronica
(–) Impostaz. Posta elettronica
36
Quotation Marks
Quotation marks are used when quoting sentences from other sources exactly or to surround titles of documents
and publications. They should not be used to stress a word or phrase. In this case, using Italics is preferable.
Single quotes should be avoided. Anyway, because of the technical implications of using single and double
quotes in software and in documents based on markup and programming languages, following the English source
is acceptable.
Punctuation should always be placed outside quotes.
Example:
Microsoft Word gives you the best word processing features available, plus the mouse support and 'shortcuts' that
get you to those features quickly and easily.
(+) Microsoft Word offre le più sofisticate ed avanzate caratteristiche di elaborazione testi. Il mouse e i tasti di
scelta rapida consentono di eseguire ogni operazione in modo semplice e veloce.
For details, please see "Creating a template."
(+) Per informazioni dettagliate, vedere "Creazione di un modello".
Parentheses
In English and Italian, there is no space between the parentheses and the text inside them. The use of
parentheses should be limited in Italian to the cases where they are absolutely required, and especially avoided to
enclose asides in a sentence.
Example:
The current file (owned by the administrator) cannot be moved.
(+) Il file corrente, di proprietà dell'amministratore, non può essere spostato.
Never use parentheses to enclose a standalone sentence after a period.
Example:
You can open several file formats. (The application supports more than 100 file extensions)
(–) È possibile aprire diversi formati di file. (L'applicazione supporta più di 100 estensioni di file)
(+) È possibile aprire diversi formati di file (l'applicazione supporta più di 100 estensioni di file)
(+) È possibile aprire diversi formati di file. L'applicazione supporta più di 100 estensioni di file)
Punctuation should always be placed outside parentheses.
Example:
You can open several file formats. (The application supports more than 100 file extensions.)
(+) È possibile aprire diversi formati di file (l'applicazione supporta più di 100 estensioni di file).
(+) È possibile aprire diversi formati di file. L'applicazione supporta più di 100 estensioni di file.
(–) È possibile aprire diversi formati di file. (L'applicazione supporta più di 100 estensioni di file.)
37
Singular & Plural
Loanwords are used in the singular in Italian.
Example:
The drivers
(+) I driver
To denote the optional plural form in software a slash is used to separate the singular form from the vowel
denoting the plural formation.
Example:
Object(s)
(+) Oggetto/i
When this convention cannot be used (for example in very descriptive sentences in documentation), rephrasing is
needed.
Example:
Setup will search hard disk(s) for existing applications
(+) Il programma di installazione cercherà sul disco o i dischi rigidi le applicazioni già presenti
(–) Il programma di installazione cercherà sul disco/i rigido/i le applicazioni già presenti
A few defective nouns, such as software and hardware can be only used in the singular and cannot follow a
determinative article or an adjective denoting a quantity.
Examples:
You can choose many ClipArt
(+) È possibile scegliere diverse immagini ClipArt
With different software
(+) Con diversi tipi di software
Split Infinitive
This section does not apply to Italian.
Subjunctive
There are no special guidelines related to style in localization regarding the subjunctive. Standard grammar rules
apply. Please note that in oral, informal speech, the subjunctive tends to be replaced with the indicative, but this is
still a grammar error, which should be absolutely avoided in written language.
I would be happy if you came to my party.
(–) Sarei contento se vieni alla mia festa
(+) Sarei contento se venissi alla mia festa
38
Symbols & Non-Breaking Spaces
Blank spaces are not allowed between symbols, such as copyright or trademark symbols, and the noun they refer
to.
Example:
Microsoft® is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation
(–) Microsoft ® è un marchio registrato di Microsoft Corporation
(+) Microsoft® è un marchio registrato di Microsoft Corporation
Non-breaking spaces are used to avoid that strings which should appear on a single line wrap to a second line. In
Italian, this requirement is less important than in English, anyway it is advisable to follow the source text as far as
the use of non-breaking spaces is concerned.
Syntax
Syntax and register differ between Italian and English in many ways. The following examples are limited to the
main differences, which may affect the comprehension of the text, and therefore its translation:
1. The subject of the sentence in Italian can be implied
Example:
I go home
(+) Vado a casa
2. In Italian, pronouns can be appended to verbs
Example:
To open a file, select it from the list
(+) Per aprire un file, selezionarlo dall'elenco
3. English has phrasal verbs, that is the standard meaning of a verb can be altered by the subsequent
preposition. Obviously this affects the way a verb is translated into Italian.
Example:
Check these documents
(+) Consultare questi documenti
Check for documents
(+) Cerca documenti
Look at this image
(+) Osservare questa immagine
Look for this image
(+) Cerca questa immagine
4. Possessive adjectives and pronouns never follow an article in English.
5. In English all verbs use the auxiliary verb "to have" to form compound tenses.
6. In Italian the impersonal pronoun "si" is often used for generic description in order to avoid to address the
user directly like in English. This is an important difference affecting the register of text. The impersonal
pronoun "si" is also useful to avoid the passive form, which should be often avoided in Italian for fluency
39
reasons.
Example:
To play music files, you use Windows Media Player
(+) Per riprodurre file musicali si utilizza Windows Media Player (impersonal, preferred)
(–) Per riprodurre file musicali viene utilizzato Windows Media Player (passive, correct but less natural
and fluent)
Verbs
The impersonal form should be used to translate the second person singular of the English text, unless it is
specified to use a direct style, for example in certain Web sites and marketing collateral.
Example:
Office provides powerful ways to combine information from its applications. For example, you can place data and
charts from Microsoft Excel into a sales letter you write in Word and then mail the letter to your customers using a
Microsoft Access mailing list.
(+) Office rende disponibili metodi efficaci per l'integrazione di informazioni create nelle diverse applicazioni. È
possibile, ad esempio, inserire dati e diagrammi di Microsoft Excel in una lettera promozionale elaborata in Word
e quindi inviare la lettera ai clienti utilizzando un elenco di indirizzi creato in Microsoft Access.
Continuous operations are usually expressed in English with a gerund, which should be translated into Italian
using a noun followed by "in corso" and the ellipses.
Example:
Installing applications...
(+) Installazione delle applicazioni in corso…
Instructions directed to the user should be translated in the infinitive both in software and documentation.
Example:
Select the file you want to remove.
(+) Selezionare il file che si desidera rimuovere.
Commands for the software should be translated in the imperative.
Open
(+) Apri
Save
(+) Salva
Export file
(+) Esporta file
Future should be used to describe what happens after an action is taken.
Example:
Choose Save or Save as from the File menu. A dialog box appears.
(+) Scegliere Salva o Salva con nome dal menu File. Verrà visualizzata una finestra di dialogo.
40
The use of past tenses should be avoided when describing the features of the past version of a product.
Example:
Word 2003 allowed to save a document in DOC or RTF format, while Word 2007 allows you to save your work as
a PDF file.
(+) Word 2003 consente di salvare un documento in formato DOC o RTF, mentre in Word 2007 è possibile
salvare i documenti come file PDF.
In messages where forms such as "to be –ing" or "to be about to do something" meaning a warning to the user,
you should translate in the passive form.
Example:
You are about to remove the document. Are you sure?
(+) Il documento verrà rimosso. Continuare?
Word Order
When in the English text a noun follows two or more than two adjectives, they should be usually translated from
right to left (i.e. from the most specific to the most generic).
Example:
Default document template
(+) Modello di documento predefinito
Please note that an incorrect word order may result in a mistranslation.
Example:
Default document template
(–) Modello predefinito di documento (incorrect, because it implies that the template is the default template of a
document and not that the template is for the default document).
The sequence "verb+noun+adjective" should be translated as "verb+adjective+noun".
Example:
To keep the original unchanged
(+) Lasciare inalterato l'originale
The compounds "noun+noun" can be translated as "noun+preposition+noun" or "noun+adjective"
Example:
Text object
(+) Oggetto di testo
Bullet chart
(+) Grafico puntato
Nouns used as adjective for another noun do not inflect by gender and number.
41
Example:
Child table
(+) Tabella figlio
Child tables
(+) Tabelle figlio
Special attention should be paid in case of "adjective+noun+noun" in order to determine which noun the adjective
is referred to. Please refer to the following example:
Standard Toolbar Color
From a linguistic point of view the following translations are correct:
Colore della barra degli strumenti standard (-)
Colore standard per la barra degli strumenti (-)
Colore delle barre degli strumenti standard (-)
Colore standard per le barre degli strumenti (+)
Anyway, the only correct solution is the fourth because we know that there are multiple toolbars and a standard
toolbar does not exist in the product, while the user can choose a default color for all toolbars. In order to
determine the correct solutions in such situations, context and product features should be carefully considered
and investigated.
42
Style and Tone Considerations
This section focuses on higher-level considerations for audience, style, tone, and voice.
Audience
Localization requirements often depend on the audience the products are intended to. Entertainment applications
and games, applications for mobile devices, home productivity programs, business and financial suites, and so on
require different approaches which are determined by the tasks they allow to carry out and the users who will use
them. In general, Italian products adopt an impersonal formal style suitable for most users, but today IT is made
available to a broader range of users with different degrees of expertise, and computing deeply affect life styles as
well as business processes and operations. For this reason a more "personal touch" is often required in products
designed to entertain people or simply make their lives easier, such as media players, utilities for mobile phones,
and so on. The Italian language can be used with very different levels of formality and colloquialism, therefore it is
more and more important to agree upon the best localization strategies case by case with product teams, taking
into account the audience a product is intended to.
Style
As a general rule, an impersonal formal style is always to be used for desktop applications and documentations,
business solutions, technical writings and so on. Direct style can be used in marketing collateral or non technical
Web sites where products are described for promotional purposes, and in products designed for young people. In
marketing-oriented texts intended to business executives, decision makers or IT professionals, the impersonal
style may be more appropriate as well. For educational and training contents, the appropriate style essentially
depends on the level of technical difficulty and the audience.
Tone
As for tone, the same remarks expressed for style and audience apply. It is preferable to avoid forms which are
perceived as too colloquial. For marketing, please note that strategies suitable to the American markets often
produce the opposite and unwanted effect to Italian customers. An overenthusiastic grandiloquence with frequent
questions and answers (Got projects? See what we can do for you!) or absolute statements (The biggest IT
revolution ever! Find out more!) can annoy the Italian audience and produce negative effects on the brand. A tone
which is friendly but not too much colloquial is generally advisable.
43
Voice
Direct style (tu) should be avoided, and the impersonal form should be used in most cases
Example:
English
Translation
You are now connected to the Internet.
Si è connessi a Internet.
44
Localization Guidelines
This section contains guidelines for localization into Italian.
General Considerations
Localization conventions are aimed at ensuring that localized products meet user expectation in terms of
functionality, usability, and productivity. For these reasons, translated products should be accurate, suitable for
the local audience, and consistent from a functional, style and terminology point of view.
Abbreviations
Common Abbreviations
You might need to abbreviate some words in the UI (mainly buttons or options names) due to lack of space. This
can be done in the following ways:
Using standardized abbreviations commonly used in the local culture, in the industry or the market and
documented by Microsoft reference material or other authoritative source of references.
Using general criteria for shortening words, such as:
-
Omit at least two letters.
Truncate a word so that it ends with a consonant and place a period after it.
When a word contains a double consonant, truncate it at the second one and place a period after it.
Example:
(+) Abbreviazione > Abbreviaz.
(+) Visualizzazione > Visualizz.
(+) Geografia > Geogr.
List of common abbreviations:
Expression
Acceptable Abbreviation
articolo
art.
circa
ca.
confronta
cfr.
centimetro
cm
eccetera
ecc.
grammo
g
gigabyte
GB
gigahertz
GHz
45
Expression
Acceptable Abbreviation
ora
h
kilobit
Kb
kilobyte
KB
kilobit
Kbit
chilogrammo
kg
chilometro
km
metro
m
megabyte
MB
megabit
Mb
megabit
Mbit
megahertz
MHz
minute
min
millimetro
mm
numero
n.
Nota
NB
pagina
p.
pagine
pp.
pica
pi
secondo
s
allegato
all.
appendice
app.
capitolo
cap.
paragrafo
par.
sezione
sez.
Abbreviations should be avoided whenever possible.
46
Accessibility
Localizers should make sure to translate accurately all features (e.g. ALT texts for image, strings for TTS, and so
on).
Acronyms
Acronyms are words made up of the initial letters of major parts of a compound term. Some well-known examples
are WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get), OLE (Object Linking and Embedding), or RAM (Random
Access Memory). As a general rule, please follow the scenarios described in the subsections below.
The gender and number of the acronym are determined by the gender and number of the translation for the
governing noun of the extended form.
Example:
API (Application Programming Interface) is used in the feminine in Italian because the translation of "interface"
("interfaccia") is feminine.
To choose the appropriate article to use in front of an acronym, take into account the gender (as explained above)
and the euphonic effect.
Example:
The API
(+) L'API
For fluency reasons, and when the exact meaning of the governing noun of the acronym is known, you can use
the translation of the defining noun of the acronym in front of it.
Example:
The API
(+) L'interfaccia API
Localized Acronyms
If an Italian for the acronym exists (which should imply that the extended form is translated as well), use the Italian
acronym and add the full form in parenthesis for the first occurrence.
Example:
EU (European Union)
(+) UE (Unione Europea)
Follow the source text to determine when the acronym, the full form or both should be repeated in the subsequent
occurrences.
47
Unlocalized Acronyms
If an Italian equivalent of the English acronym does not exist, and the extended form is an untranslatable string,
use the English acronym and add the full English form in parenthesis for the first occurrence.
Example:
(+) API (Application Programming Interface)
Follow the source text to determine when the acronym, the full form or both should be repeated in the subsequent
occurrences.
If an Italian equivalent of the English acronym does not exist, but the extended form is translatable, use the
English acronym and add both the English full form and the Italian full form separated by a comma in parenthesis.
Example:
(+) ANSI (American National Standards Institute, Istituto americano per gli standard nazionali)
For the subsequent occurrences, follow the source text to determine when the acronym, the full form or both
should be repeated, but whenever the full form is required just use the Italian translation and not the English term.
Applications, Products, and Features
Application/product names are often trademarked or may be trademarked in the future and are therefore rarely
translated. Occasionally, feature names are trademarked, too (e.g. IntelliSense™). Before translating any
application, product, or feature name, please verify that it is in fact translatable and not protected in any way.
Frequent Errors
Frequent errors are mainly related to incorrect interpretation of verbs (especially phrasal verbs) or word order (see
the Word Order section for more information).
Example:
Check for Updates
(–) Controlla aggiornamenti
(+) Cerca aggiornamenti
(+) Verifica disponibilità di aggiornamenti
Glossaries
Glossaries are usually placed at the end of documentation and should be re-sorted following sorting rules of the
target language.
The single terms defined in a glossary should be lower-case unless they are a translated or untranslated proper
noun (e.g. a product or feature name). The term definition usually begins on the subsequent line with upper-case
48
and may be indented or it can follow the term after a colon (rare). It is often useful to add cross-reference to
similar or related terms.
Example:
event
An occurrence of a change to data
In highly technical glossaries, the English equivalent can be added in parenthesis next to the Italian term in order
to help users to find further information in other sources of reference.
Fictitious Information
Fictitious content is legally sensitive material and as such cannot be handled as a pure terminology or localization
issue.
Recurring Patterns
When translating the Wizard names, localizers should add the word "guidato/a" after the type of operation
performed by the Wizard.
Example:
(+) Setup Wizard = Installazione guidata
(+) Backup Wizard = Backup guidato
(+) Tuning Wizard = Ottimizzazione guidata
When the word Wizard follows a noun and it allows to "create" the object identified by the noun, use the standard
form "Creazione guidata".
Example:
(+) Letter Wizard = Creazione guidata Lettera
(+) Template Wizard = Creazione guidata modello
For more information on recurring patterns and sentences, please refer to the Standardized Translations
section.
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Standardized Translations
There are a number of standardized translations mentioned in all sections of this Style Guide. In order to find
them more easily, the most relevant topics and sections are compiled here for you reference.
Italian Style in Status bar Messages
The importance of standardization
Standard Phrases in Error Messages
Standard Shortcut Keys
Unlocalized Items
Trademarked names and the name Microsoft Corporation shouldn’t be localized. A list of Microsoft trademarks is
available for your reference at the following location: http://www.microsoft.com/trademarks/t-mark/names.htm.
A lot of English terms are untranslated in Italian. The following table contains a list of common unlocalized items.
To determine whether a term should be localized or not, please refer to Microsoft terminology references and ask
for approval in case of doubts.
Word
Comment
OK
All upper-case.
Home
Link to the home page of a Web site or name of the
default tab in the ribbon.
Backup
It can also be "Esegui backup" to strictly refer to the
backup action.
directory
account
In financial accounting products, such as Microsoft
Business Solutions and Dynamics, it can be translated
as "conto" based on context.
assembly
malware
build
When referring to a "release" of a product.
server
client
When referring to a client software application or a
client machine.
cluster
50
Word
Comment
editor
An application allowing to edit digital data.
host
online
offline
input
output
query
zoom
Using the Word Microsoft
In English, it is prohibited to use MS as an abbreviation for Microsoft. Italian target should follow the English
source as for the use of the word Microsoft. It should not be omitted when it is used, especially in product names,
but it can be added to translate the pronoun "We" in sentences where it is implied that the subject refers to
Microsoft.
Example:
We protect user's privacy.
(+) Microsoft tutela la privacy degli utenti.
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Software Considerations
This section refers to all menus, menu items, commands, buttons, check boxes, etc., which should be consistently
translated in the localized product.
Refer to http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/aa511258.aspx for a detailed explanation of the Windows user interface
guidelines (English).
User Interface
The User Interface is made up of elements such as menus, commands, dialogs and their options. UI items are
usually translated following the source, that is:
English nouns with Italian nouns (Tools > Strumenti)
Imperative for English verbal forms (View > Visualizza)
Dialog titles should be translated the same as the command that opens the dialog.
Regardless the source terms used, the minimum and the maximum limits of a slider should be translated as Min
(the lower limit) and Max (the highest limit).
Prepositions can be omitted in software strings to keep them short, where required.
Example:
Document Properties
(+) Proprietà del documento (preposition is used)
(+) Proprietà documento (preposition is omitted)
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The following table lists common standard Italian translations for UI items in Microsoft software products
(alphabetical order), which can be also used as a style reference for other UI items.
English
Italian
Arrange Icons by
Disponi icone per
AutoCorrect Options
Opzioni di correzione automatica
AutoFit
Adatta
AutoFormat
Formattazione automatica
Background
Sfondo
Bookmark
Segnalibro
Borders and Shading
Bordi e sfondo
Break
Interruzione
Browse
Sfoglia
Bullets and Numbering
Elenchi puntati e numerati
Character
Carattere
Close
Chiudi
Columns
Colonne
Comment
Commento
Compare and Merge Documents
Confronta e unisci documenti
Convert
Converti
Copy
Copia
Create shortcut
Crea collegamento
Customize
Personalizza
Cut
Taglia
Date and Time
Data e ora
Delete
Elimina
Diagram
Diagramma
Document Map
Mappa del documento
Draw Table
Disegna tabella
Exit
Esci
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English
Italian
Field
Campo
File
File
Find
Trova
Fix Broken Text
Correggi testo danneggiato
Footnote
Note a piè di pagina
Formula
Formula
Full Screen
Schermo intero
Glossary
Glossario
Header and Footer
Intestazione e piè di pagina
Hyperlink
Collegamento ipertestuale
Insert
Inserisci
Language
Lingua
Letters and Mailings
Lettere e indirizzi
Macros
Macro
Match Case
Maiuscole/minuscole
Merge cells
Unisci celle
New
Nuovo
Object
Oggetto
Online Help
Guida
Open
Apri
Open with
Apri con
Options
Opzioni
Page Numbers
Numeri di pagina
Page Setup
Imposta pagina
Paragraph
Paragrafo
Paste
Incolla
Paste shortcut
Incolla collegamento
Paste Special
Incolla speciale
54
English
Italian
Picture
Immagine
Print
Stampa
Print Layout
Layout di stampa
Print Preview
Anteprima di stampa
Properties
Proprietà
Protect Document
Proteggi documento
Redo
Ripeti
Reference
Riferimento
Refresh
Aggiorna
Rename
Rinomina
Replace
Sostituisci
Reveal Formatting
Informazioni sul formato
Ruler
Righello
Save
Salva
Save as
Salva con nome
Save as Web Page
Salva come pagina Web
Select
Seleziona
Send to
Invia a
Show grid
Mostra griglia
Sort
Ordina
Spelling and Grammar
Controllo ortografia e grammatica
Split cells
Dividi celle
Split Table
Dividi tabella
Styles and Formatting
Stili e formattazione
Summary
Sunto automatico
Symbol
Simbolo
Table Properties
Proprietà tabella
Tabs
Tabulazioni
55
English
Italian
Templates and Add-ins
Modelli e aggiunte
Text Box
Casella di testo
Text Direction
Orientamento testo
Theme
Tema
Toolbars
Barre degli strumenti
Tracked Changes
Revisioni
Undo
Annulla
Web Layout
Layout Web
What’s This?
Guida rapida
Word Count
Conteggio parole
Zoom
Zoom
Messages
Messages are used to provide instructions, warnings, descriptions, information about product functionality and
issues. Therefore, they should be accurate and consistent both in style and terminology. In general, the
impersonal form should be used for messages.
Example:
You have not selected a printer. Press OK to go back and make a selection that matches your printer
(+) Stampante non selezionata. Scegliere OK per tornare indietro ed operare una selezione che corrisponda alla
stampante in uso
Status Messages
What is a Status Bar Message?
A status bar message is an informational message about the active document or a selected command as well as
about any active or selected interface item. Messages are shown in the status bar at the bottom of the window
when the user has chosen a menu, a command or any other item, or has started a function. The status bar
messages refer to actions being performed or already complete (for example in Outlook below).
56
Italian Style in Status bar Messages
In English, the status bar messages have different forms dependent on the information they must convey. In
Italian, menu and commands status bar messages should follow the format below.
Name
Edit
Copy to
Folder...
New
Italian Name
Modifica
Category
English Status Bar
message
Italian Status Bar
message
menu
Contains editing commands
Contiene comandi di
modifica
menu
Copies the selected items to
a new location
Copia gli elementi
selezionati in un nuovo
percorso
command
Creates a new document
Crea un nuovo
documento
Make object visible?
Rendere visibile
l'oggetto?
Word is converting the
document. Press Esc to
stop.
Conversione del
documento in corso.
Premere ESC per
interrompere l'operazione.
(note that the product
name is omitted in this
case: since the message
appears in the status bar
of the application, there is
no need to use the
application name)
Datasheet View
Visualizzazione Foglio
dati
Done
Fine
Copia in cartella…
Nuovo
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The importance of standardization
In the US product you can often find messages that are phrased differently even though they have the same
meaning. Try to avoid this in the localized Italian version. Use one standard translation as in the examples below:
English term
Correct Italian translation
Press F1 to get Help
If you want Help press F1
Per visualizzare la Guida, premere F1
To get Help press F1
Not enough memory
Insufficient memory
Memoria insufficiente
There is not enough memory
Save changes to %1?
Salvare le modifiche apportate a %1?
Do you want to save changes to %1?
Error Messages
What Is An Error Message?
Here is an example:
Error messages are messages sent by the system or a program, informing the user that there is an error that
must be corrected in order for the program to keep running. For example, the messages can prompt the user to
take an action or inform the user of an error that requires rebooting the computer.
Italian Style in Error Messages
It is important to use consistent terminology and language style in the localized error messages, and not just
translate as they appear in the US product.
In English error messages, names of products, features and devices are often used as the subject of the
sentence. In Italian, this kind of personalization should be avoided. Therefore, if the product the message refers to
is obvious and implied based on context, it can be omitted. On the contrary, in complex products such as
operating systems where more components run simultaneously and could be the cause of an error, use the
following pattern:
58
[ProductName]: [message translated in the impersonal form]
Examples:
Word cannot open this document
(+) Impossibile aprire il documento
Data Protection Manager could not copy the files to the selected location
(+) Data Protection Manager: impossibile copiare i file nel percorso selezionato
When personalization cannot be avoided, otherwise important information would be lost, use the expression "non
essere in grado di".
Example:
The driver cannot recognize the specified command
(+) Il driver non è in grado di riconoscere il commando specificato
RASMXS.DLL cannot load RASSER.DLL
(+) RASMXS.DLL non è in grado di caricare RASSER.DLL
Sometimes, you can also use the simple present of the governing verb omitting the verb "potere" (can).
Examples:
The device you are trying to record from cannot recognize the current file format.
(+) Il dispositivo da cui si sta tentando di registrare non riconosce il formato di file corrente
Whenever possible, the verb "to be" is omitted in error messages.
Example:
The function is not supported
(+) Funzione non supportata
An error number was specified that is not defined in the system
(+) Numero di errore specificato non definito nel sistema
An invalid parameter was passed to a system function,
(+) Parametro non valido passato a una funzione di sistema
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Standard Phrases in Error Messages
When translating standard phrases, standardize. Note that sometimes the US uses different forms to express the
same thing.
Examples:
English
Cannot …
Could not …
Failed to …
Failure of …
Translation
Impossibile
Impossibile
Cannot find …
Could not find …
Unable to find …
Impossibile trovare
Unable to locate …
Example
Comment
Files cannot be saved
Impossibile salvare i file
Failed to save the files
Impossibile salvare i file
Cannot find the requested
documento
Impossibile trovare il
documento richiesto
Not enough memory
Insufficient memory
Memoria insufficiente
available
... is not available
... is unavailable
Not enough memory to
load the program
Memoria insufficiente per
caricare il programma
Document is not available
… non disponibile
Documento non
disponibile
Error Messages Containing Placeholders
When localizing error messages containing placeholders, try to find out what will replace the placeholder. This is
necessary for the sentence to be grammatically correct when the placeholder is replaced with a word or phrase.
Note that the letters used in placeholders convey a specific meaning, see examples below:
%d, %ld, %u, and %lu means <number>
%c means <letter>
%s means <string>
Examples of error messages containing placeholders:
"Checking Web %1!d! of %2!d!" means "Checking Web <number> of <number>".
"INI file "%1!-.200s!" section" means "INI file "<string>" section".
60
The most important aspect to take into account when translating sentences containing placeholders is the
agreement of gender and number between the items that will replace the placeholder and the surrounding words.
Sometimes, translation must be kept very generic in order to limit risks of grammar errors, especially when
placeholders are used for nouns that have different genders and numbers.
Example:
%s is non granted access
(+) Accesso non consentito a %s
%s cannot be used
(+) Impossibile utilizzare %s
%s has not been installed due to an internal error
(+) Installazione di %s non riuscita a causa di un errore interno
Keys
The keyboard is the primary input device used for text input in Microsoft Windows. For accessibility and efficiency,
most actions can be performed using the keyboard as well. While working with Microsoft software, you use keys,
key combinations and key sequences.
In English, References to key names, like arrow keys, function keys and numeric keys, appear in normal text (not
in small caps). In Italian key names should be fully capitalized.
Example:
(+) Enter = INVIO
(+) Shift Lock = BLOC MAIUSC
Access Keys/Hot keys
61
Sometimes, there are underlined or highlighted letters in menu options, commands or dialog boxes. These letters
refer to access keys (also known as hot keys) that allow you to run commands, perform tasks, etc. more quickly.
Hot Key Special Options
Usage: Is It Allowed?
"Slim characters", such as I, l, t, r, f
can be used as hot key
yes
Characters with downstrokes, such
as g, j, y, p and q can be used as
hotkeys
yes
Extended characters can be used as
hotkeys
no
An additional letter, appearing
between brackets after item name,
can be used as hotkeys
no
A number, appearing between
brackets after item name, can be
used as hotkey
no
A punctuation sign, appearing
between brackets after item name,
can be used as hotkey
no
Duplicate hotkeys are allowed when
no other character is available
yes
No hotkey is assigned when no more
characters are available (minor
options only)
no
Notes
Use only if no other character is
available, and try to avoid the
character g
This solution should be used only
for less important options
Additional notes:
When choosing access keys, it is important to choose the most significant letters, generally the first character, for
the most important commands in a specific context, e.g. File, Nuovo, and using the remaining letters for the
remaining items, possibly using characters as close to the beginning of a word as possible.
Access key consistency should be kept throughout a product and within a product family; Office and Windows
should be used as reference.
Arrow Keys
The arrow keys move input focus among the controls within a group. Pressing the right arrow key moves input
focus to the next control in tab order, whereas pressing the left arrow moves input focus to the previous control.
62
Home, End, Up, and Down also have their expected behavior within a group. Users can't navigate out of a control
group using arrow keys.
When translating arrow keys names, the word denoting the arrow's direction should be capitalized and follow the
word "freccia".
Example:
(+) Up Arrow = freccia SU
(+) Down Arrow = freccia GIÙ
(+) Right Arrow = freccia DESTRA
(+) Left Arrow = freccia SINISTRA
Numeric Keypad
It is recommended that you avoid distinguishing numeric keypad keys from the other keys, unless it is required by
a given application. In case which keys to be pressed is not obvious, provide necessary explanations.
Shortcut Keys
Shortcut keys are keystrokes or combinations of keystrokes used to perform defined functions in a software
application. Shortcut keys replace menu commands and they are sometimes given next to the command they
represent. In opposition to the access keys, which can be used only when available on the screen, shortcut keys
can be used even when they are not accessible on the screen.
Standard Shortcut Keys
US
Command
US English
Shortcut Key
Italian
Command
Italian
Shortcut key
General Windows Shortcut keys
Help window
F1
finestra della Guida
F1
Context-sensitive Help
Shift+F1
Guida sensibile al contesto
MAIUSC+F1
Display pop-up menu
Shift+F10
Visualizza menu a comparsa
MAIUSC+F10
Cancel
Esc
Annulla
ESC
Activate\Deactivate menu bar
mode
F10
Attiva/Disattiva modalità barra
dei menu
F10
Switch to the next primary
application
Alt+Tab
Passa alla successiva
applicazione principale
ALT+TAB
Display next window
Alt+Esc
Visualizza finestra successiva
ALT+ESC
Display pop-up menu for the
window
Alt+Spacebar
Visualizza menu a comparsa
della finestra
ALT+BARRA
SPAZIATRICE
63
US
Command
US English
Shortcut Key
Italian
Command
Italian
Shortcut key
Display pop-up menu for the
active child window
Alt+-
Visualizza menu a comparsa per
la finestra figlio attiva
ALT+-
Display property sheet for
current selection
Alt+Enter
Visualizza la finestra delle
proprietà dell'elemento
selezionato
ALT+INVIO
Close active application window
Alt+F4
Chiudi la finestra
dell'applicazione attiva
ALT+F4
Switch to next window within
(modeless-compliant)
application
Alt+F6
Passa alla finestra successiva
nell'applicazione (compatibile
non modale)
ALT+F6
Capture active window image to
the Clipboard
Alt+Prnt Scrn
Acquisisci l'immagine della
finestra attiva negli Appunti
ALT+STAMP
Capture desktop image to the
Clipboard
Prnt Scrn
Acquisici l'immagine del desktop
negli Appunti
STAMP
Access Start button in taskbar
Ctrl+Esc
Accedi al pulsante Start sulla
barra delle applicazioni
CTRL+ESC
Display next child window
Ctrl+F6
Visualizza la successiva finestra
figlio
CTRL+F6
Display next tabbed pane
Ctrl+Tab
Visualizza il successivo riquadro
a schede
CTRL+TAB
Launch Task Manager and
system initialization
Ctrl+Shift+Esc
Avvia Gestione attività e
l'inizializzazione del sistema
CTRL+MAIUSC+E
SC
File Menu
File New
Ctrl+N
Nuovo
CTRL+N
File Open
Ctrl+O
Apri
CTRL+F12
File Close
Ctrl+F4
Chiudi
CTRL+F4
File Save
Ctrl+S
Salva
CTRL+S
File Save as
F12
Salva con nome
F12
File Print Preview
Ctrl+F2
Anteprima di stampa
CTRL+F2
File Print
Ctrl+P
Stampa
CTRL+P
File Exit
Alt+F4
Esci
ALT+F4
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US
Command
US English
Shortcut Key
Italian
Command
Italian
Shortcut key
Edit Menu
Edit Undo
Ctrl+Z
Annulla
CTRL+Z
Edit Repeat
Ctrl+Y
Ripeti
CTRL+Y
Edit Cut
Ctrl+X
Taglia
CTRL+X
Edit Copy
Ctrl+C
Copia
CTRL+C
Edit Paste
Ctrl+V
Incolla
CTRL+V
Edit Delete
Ctrl+Backspace
Elimina
CTRL+BACKSPAC
E
Edit Select All
Ctrl+A
Seleziona tutto
CTRL+A
(in Office System
2007-2010 CTRL+5
(Tn))
Edit Find
Ctrl+F
Trova
CTRL+T
Edit Replace
Ctrl+H
Sostituisci
CTRL+H
Edit Go To
Ctrl+G
Vai a
CTRL+B
Help Menu
Help
F1
?
F1
Font Format
Italic
Ctrl+I
Corsivo
CTRL+I
Bold
Ctrl+B
Grassetto
CTRL+G
Underlined\Word underline
Ctrl+U
Sottolineato
CTRL+S
Large caps
Ctrl+Shift+A
Maiuscole
CTRL+MAIUSC+A
Small caps
Ctrl+Shift+K
Maiuscoletto
CTRL+MAIUSC+K
Paragraph Format
Centered
Ctrl+E
Allineato al centro
CTRL+A
Left aligned
Ctrl+L
Allineato a sinistra
CTRL+T
Right aligned
Ctrl+R
Allineato a destra
CTRL+R
Justified
Ctrl+J
Giustificato
CTRL+F
65
Document Translation Considerations
Document localization may require some specific considerations that are different from software localization. This
section covers a few of these areas.
For document translation, localizers should follow the guidelines described in sections about style and tone.
Technical documents and product documentation and Help (collectively "User Assistance", UA) should use
impersonal style.
Titles
In English the titles for chapters usually begin with "How to …" or with phrases such as "Working with …" or
"Using …". In the Italian version of Microsoft documentation, use the following conventions:
English
Italian
Example
Verb -ing
Noun
Working with templates
(+) Utilizzo dei modelli
Configuring printer settings
(+) Configurazione delle
impostazioni di stampa
Imperative/Infinitive
To + verb
Noun (for section/document titles)
Play a movie
Infinitive (for subsection titles)
(+) Riproduzione di un filmato
Per +infinitive (when introducing a
procedure)
(+) Riprodurre un filmato
Per + infinitive
To open a file
(+) Per riprodurre un filmato
(+) Per aprire un file
How to…
Come…
How to open a file
(+) Come aprire un file
Hiding…
Infinitive
Hiding the grid
(+) Nascondere la griglia
Pasting…
Infinitive
Pasting data
(+) Incollare i dati
Troubleshoot[ing]
Risoluzione dei problemi relativi a…
Troubleshooting printer errors
(+) Risoluzione dei problemi relativi
agli errori della stampante
What do you want to do?
Per saperne di più
66
English
Italian
More
Ulteriori informazioni
What do you need help with?
Problemi riscontrati
How?
Procedura
How do I verb
Come + infinitive
Example
How do I open a file
(+) Come aprire un file
Tell me about
Informazioni
Programming and Language
reference
Programmazione e riferimenti al
linguaggio
Administrator's Guide
Manuale dell'amministratore
A Beginners' Guide to
<productname>
Introduzione a <nomeprodotto>
Companion
Introduzione a <nomeprodotto>
[booklet]
Concise User’s Guide
Manuale dell'utente - Versione
ridotta
Developer's Guide
Manuale dello sviluppatore
Discovering <productname>
Alla scoperta di <nomeprodotto>
Getting Results
Soluzioni integrate
Getting Started
Guida introduttiva
Installation Guide
Guida all'installazione
Learning Guide
Guida all'apprendimento
Pocket Guide
Guida tascabile
Programmer's Guide
Manuale del programmatore
Quick Reference Card
Scheda di riferimento rapido
Quick Reference Guide
Guida di riferimento rapido
Reference Guide
Guida di riferimento
Roadmap
Guida di orientamento
Sampler
Raccolta di esempi
Startjump
Caratteristiche del programma
Upgrade
Aggiornamento
67
English
Italian
User's Guide
Manuale dell'utente
User's Reference Guide
Guida di riferimento dell'utente
Example
Copyright
Copyright protection is granted to any original work of authorship fixed in any tangible medium of expression from
which it can be perceived, reproduced, or communicated.
Here are some examples of aspects on legal information and copyright which need to be taken into
account:



Competitions offered legally in the United States may be illegal in other countries
The privacy laws and rules for storing personal information on Web sites vary from country to country
Check if the following aspects need to be modified or deleted for your market: prices, special offers, product
support services/offers, postal or email addresses, telephone numbers, accessibility services and competitive
comparisons
Disclaimer: Please note that the information provided in this section is for general information only.
68

Italian Style Guide - Center

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