Greek Translation Notes

Greek (el_GR) Translation Notes

Core Terminology

Secret: μυστικό (neuter) - Appropriate for professional contexts

Password vs Passphrase:

• Password: κωδικός πρόσβασης - for account authentication
• Passphrase: φράση πρόσβασης - for secret protection

Burn: οριστική διαγραφή (permanent deletion)

Key Points

• Monotonic system (single accent mark) since 1982
• 4 cases, 3 genders (masculine, feminine, neuter)
• Greek question mark is semicolon (;)
• Final sigma: use ς at end of words, σ elsewhere
• Polite εσείς forms for professional tone
• Greek-derived technical vocabulary where available

Translation Guidelines

Consistency

• Use the same translation for a term throughout the application
• Maintain standardized terminology from the glossary
• Key distinctions to preserve:
  • κωδικός πρόσβασης for account passwords
  • φράση πρόσβασης for secret protection
  • μυστικό as the core concept

Context Awareness

• Consider how the term is used in the application
• Account for surrounding UI elements and user flow
• Ensure translations make sense in their specific context

Technical Accuracy

• Security-related terms must be translated accurately
• Prioritize precision over localization for technical terminology
• Use established Greek technical vocabulary
• Prefer Greek-derived terms for technical concepts where natural

Voice and Tone

• Use polite εσείς forms for professional tone
• Maintain professional and respectful language
• Ensure consistency in formality level across all interfaces

Greek Language Specifics

Monotonic System

• Modern Greek uses the monotonic system (single accent mark) since 1982
• Use only the acute accent (΄) - no grave or circumflex accents
• Always use only the acute accent (΄)
• Never use polytonic accents (grave, circumflex, breathings)

Grammatical Cases

• Greek has 4 cases (nominative, genitive, accusative, vocative)
• Apply correct case declension based on context
• Examples of important gender assignments:
  • μυστικό (neuter)
  • φράση (feminine)
  • σύνδεσμος (masculine)
  • κωδικός (masculine)

Three Genders

• Masculine, feminine, and neuter
• Ensure proper gender agreement with adjectives and articles
• Use correct definite and indefinite articles: το μυστικό, η πρόσβαση, ο κωδικός

Final Sigma

• Use ς at the end of words
• Use σ elsewhere in words
• Example: σύνδεσμος (with final ς)
• Critical for proper Greek orthography

Greek Question Mark

• Greek question mark is the semicolon (;)
• Not the same as Latin question mark (?)

Common Translation Patterns

User Instructions

Use imperative forms with appropriate case endings

Status Descriptions

Use passive voice or past participles with correct gender agreement

Help Text and Descriptions

Use declarative sentences with polite second person (εσείς)

Error Messages

Use clear, direct language with professional tone

Special Considerations

The Term “Secret”

• Fundamental to the application - translate consistently as μυστικό
• Neuter gender
• Appropriate for professional contexts
• Emphasizes the confidential nature of the shared item

Password vs. Passphrase

Critical distinction:

• κωδικός πρόσβασης - for user account login credentials
• φράση πρόσβασης - for protecting individual secrets

This distinction must be maintained throughout the application to avoid confusion.

The Term “Burn”

• Translated as οριστική διαγραφή (permanent deletion)
• More natural in digital Greek context than literal translation
• Clearly conveys permanent deletion concept

Gender Agreement

• Ensure adjectives, past participles, and pronouns agree with noun gender
• Important genders to remember:
  • το μυστικό (neuter)
  • ο κωδικός πρόσβασης (masculine)
  • η φράση πρόσβασης (feminine)
  • ο σύνδεσμος (masculine)

UI Element Conventions

• Follow platform conventions for Greek interfaces
• Use standard Greek terminology for common UI elements
• Maintain consistency with other Greek applications

Technical Security Terms

• Prioritize accuracy over casual localization
• Use Greek-derived technical vocabulary where available
• Examples:
  • κρυπτογράφηση (encryption - from Greek κρυπτός)
  • κρυπτογραφημένο (encrypted)
  • επαλήθευση (verification)
  • ταυτοποίηση or επαλήθευση ταυτότητας (authentication)