Italian Translation Notes

Italian (it) Translation Notes

Thinking Behind Translation Adjustments

1. Terminology Decision: Using “Segreto” Correctly

Reasoning: The translation guide emphasizes that “secret” is central to the brand and should be translated to maintain the context of confidentiality. Unlike the Danish example where “hemmeligheder” carried problematic personal/hidden connotations, Italian “segreto” appropriately conveys confidential information without those issues.

Core Principle from Guide:

“secret (n.) - The confidential information being shared. Translations must maintain the context of confidentiality. Preferred over terms like ‘message’ or ‘content’.”

Correct Italian Usage:

• "secretLinks" → "Link Segreti" (maintains confidentiality context)
• "createSecrets" → "Crea Segreti" (not “Crea Messaggio”)
• "retrieveSecrets" → "Recupera Segreti" (not “Recupera Messaggio”)
• "secret" → "segreto" (noun, maintaining confidentiality)

Why “Segreto” Works for Italian: Unlike Danish “hemmeligheder” which implies deeply personal secrets, Italian “segreto” naturally encompasses:

• Confidential business information
• Professional secrets
• Protected data
• Secure communications

Alternatives Rejected:

• “Messaggio” (message) - too generic, loses security context
• “Monouso” (single-use) - describes the mechanism, not the content
• “Temporaneo” (temporary) - describes duration, not confidentiality

2. UI Text Simplification for Professional Tone

Reasoning: The guide emphasizes “efficient without sacrificing quality” and “clear, direct language that respects users’ time.”

Key Examples:

• "gettingStarted": "Per Iniziare" → "Inizia" (imperative voice for actions)
• "page.editLink": "Modifica pagina" → "Modifica" (concise button text)
• "expressiveCode.copyButtonCopied": "Copiato!" → "Copiato" (removed exclamation per guide)
• "pagefind.load_more": "Carica altri risultati" → "Altri risultati" (shorter, clearer)

3. Voice Consistency Based on Context

Reasoning: The guide specifies active/imperative voice for user actions, passive/declarative for status messages.

Key Examples:

• Actions: “Inizia” (Start), “Modifica” (Edit), “Copia” (Copy)
• Status: “Copiato” (Copied), “Ultimo aggiornamento” (Last updated)

4. Cultural Adaptation for Italian Users

Reasoning: Natural Italian phrasing while maintaining technical precision.

Key Examples:

• "404.text": Removed redundant words, made more direct
• "search.devWarning": Simplified technical explanation
• "sidebarNav.accessibleLabel": "Main" → "Navigazione principale" (more descriptive for screen readers)

Summary of Italian Translation Standards

Core Terminology Standards

• “Segreto” maintained: “Secret” translated as “segreto” to preserve confidentiality context, aligning with guide requirements
• Passphrase distinction: “Passphrase” → “frase di sicurezza” (for secret protection), distinct from “password” (account authentication)
• Maintained technical terms: API, REST, v1, v2 kept unchanged
• Brand names preserved: Starlight, Onetime Secret untranslated

UI/UX Text Refinements

• Removed exclamation marks: Following style guide punctuation rules
• Shortened button text: “Modifica pagina” → “Modifica” for efficiency
• Simplified tooltips: “Copia negli appunti” → “Copia” for clarity
• Streamlined error messages: More direct, less verbose

Voice and Tone Adjustments

• Imperative for actions: “Inizia” instead of “Per Iniziare”
• Declarative for status: “Copiato” (status) vs “Copia” (action)
• Professional yet approachable: Maintained warmth while being concise

Accessibility Improvements

• More descriptive labels: “Main” → “Navigazione principale”
• Clearer terminology: Consistent use of functional rather than metaphorical terms

These changes align the Italian translation with the guide’s core principles: authenticity, efficiency, and clear communication that serves both technical professionals and general users.