en_GB users, what should Pidgin's (and others) "buddy" be?

[bruce89]

In reply to this post (http://ubuntuforums.org/showpost.php?p=2640649&postcount=113) by MarkX, I am wondering what the en_GB for "buddy" would be. Buddy is not often used in Britain or other English-speaking countries much.

I have suggested a change to the mailing list (https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-l10n-eng), and some options have been suggested.

[mips]

As long as it's not "mate" as in Australian. Friend will do it for me.

[Luggy]

I'd recommend making this an issue on the Pidgin site, not the Ubuntu site.
Since you know... Ubuntu doesn't control Pidgin.... and is Pidgin even in the Ubuntu Repos?

[bruce89]

I'd recommend making this an issue on the Pidgin site, not the Ubuntu site.
Since you know... Ubuntu doesn't control Pidgin.... and is Pidgin even in the Ubuntu Repos?

Indeed, any decision will be forwarded to the Pidgin developers for their opinion, and hopefully they will change their en_GB localisation too.

From https://lists.ubuntu.com/archives/ubuntu-l10n-eng/2007-June/000619.html:

Note that a change in such nomenclature needs to be made consistent throughout
all similar (e.g. gaim/pidgin, kopete) and related (e.g. evolution, kontact)
applications. I had never in the past noticed the aforementioned
inconsistency in KDE, but it is something that we need to be wary of. I would
think it better to bring up the issue with the KDE and GNOME en-GB teams
(i.e. upstream) before changing anything in Ubuntu.

[shen-an-doah]

I vote "China".

[Lord Illidan]

Oh come on...hehe..Buddy/Friend it's all the same..

[brim4brim]

As long as it's not "mate" as in Australian. Friend will do it for me.

Most English people I know say mate.

In Ireland, most people use man. example, how are things, man? translates to how are you, friend.

[bruce89]

Another possibilty is pal.

[Ozor Mox]

I vote "China".

Rofl! There should be a en_GB_London localisation! :D

I voted friend, but contact would also be fine. Buddy has never outright bothered me, but I agree that it does sound quite...American...

Also, I find accomplice highly amusing! Maybe for an FBI version...

[Smigs]

"pal" would be pretty funny. It makes me think of world war one, and Biggles...

Anyway, it's a tough question. I'd prefer "mate", but I think "friend" will probably win out!

Oh, and I think someone was looking too hard at the thesaurus when they suggested 'accomplice'; that's to do with buddy also meaning "A partner, especially one of a pair or team associated under the buddy system." as well as just plain mate, pal, chum... hey, there's another one we could use! Alright, chum?

[Luggy]

Indeed, any decision will be forwarded to the Pidgin developers for their opinion, and hopefully they will change their en_GB localisation too.

From https://lists.ubuntu.com/archives/ubuntu-l10n-eng/2007-June/000619.html:

Oh ok then.

Anyhoo, something to consider as well, just because people use en_GB as their language doesn't mean they all go "chip chip cheerio". Canadians spell colour correctly and pronouce it zed just like the rest of you tea drinkers, but our slang is similar to our neighbors to the south. Buddy works fine us Canucks.

I think the best solution is to pick a word like "contact" that translates well enough between all types of english.

[bruce89]

...rest of you tea drinkers
I don't like tea, but haggis is nice.

neighbors
Woops.


I think the best solution is to pick a word like "contact" that translates well enough between all types of english.

There are issues with all these words. For instance, contact is a bit formal.

[Smigs]

Anyhoo, something to consider as well, just because people use en_GB as their language doesn't mean they all go "chip chip cheerio". Canadians spell colour correctly and pronouce it zed just like the rest of you tea drinkers, but our slang is similar to our neighbors to the south. Buddy works fine us Canucks.
This is why it's possible to produce en_CA localisations as well as en_GB. Because some of us do go "chip chip cheerio" and want the en_GB setting to do so also!:p

[Luggy]

Woops.

Doh!

*eats own foot*

[popey]

Oh come on...hehe..Buddy/Friend it's all the same..

Not where I live in the South of England it isn't. I don't recall anyone ever saying buddy other than saying it to take the mickey out someone in an American accent.

[JC_510]

Not where I live in the South of England it isn't. I don't recall anyone ever saying buddy other than saying it to take the mickey out someone in an American accent.

Haha, true :p

Contact would probably be the best, not everyone on my IM list is my friend!!!

[bruce89]

Contact would probably be the best, not everyone on my IM list is my friend!!!

That's the main issue with friend.

[matthinckley]

I vote for "Chap"

Didn't vote in the poll though, as I'm from the US

[jgrabham]

Most English people I know say mate.

In Ireland, most people use man. example, how are things, man? translates to how are you, friend.

Same here in NE england! "Ya all reet man" (in my best fake geordie accent)

[shen-an-doah]

I vote for "Chap"

Didn't vote in the poll though, as I'm from the US

You forgot the "old" at the beginning...

[matthinckley]

You forgot the "old" at the beginning...
ah.. yes and put a "ye" before that too

[Pete051]

Hmm, what happened to "Comrade" ?

[bruce89]

Jimmy mabye, based on where I am from.

[petersjm]

Come on, I can't be the only one here from Northern Ireland?! What about "Mucker"? As in "How's about ye, mucker?" (Trans: "Good afternoon, young sir. How are you today?") :D

But seriously... "Contact" works for me...

[regomodo]

I accidentally voted "mate".

I think it should be "chum" :D

Although "me old china" would be a good substitute

[regomodo]

Same here in NE england! "Ya all reet man" (in my best fake geordie accent)

Don't you mean "ya all reet meet!"

Or as a Manc always says at campus to everyone

"ya al rIte ladss"

[smiggs]

Hmm, what happened to "Comrade" ?

that'd be for en_communist

Buddy is pretty awful so anything from friend, mate, and contact is fine by me.

[Quillz]

Obviously, I'm not from Great Britian, but isn't "Buddy List" very synomous with AIM and instant messenging, in general? It's almost like a brand name in a way.

[bruce89]

Obviously, I'm not from Great Britian, but isn't "Buddy List" very synomous with AIM and instant messenging, in general? It's almost like a brand name in a way.

I have never heard anyone call someone a buddy here, so it is a bad word to use for a en_GB localisation.

[Footissimo]

I'm voting for 'contact' as it's the most general and would work with the wording e.g. 'contact list'....however, what I'd really like to see is 'Duck', but that'd just be silly.