> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Rob Landley [mailto:rob@landley.net]
> > Sent: Friday, June 22, 2007 10:49 AM
> >
> > On Thursday 21 June 2007 10:40:17 Li Yang wrote:
> > > This is a Chinese translated version of Documentation/HOWTO.
> Currently
> > > Chinese involvement in Linux kernel is very low, especially
> comparing to
> > > its largest population base. Language could be the main obstacle.
> Hope
> > > this document will help more Chinese to contribute to Linux kernel.
> >
> > I'm putting together a kernel documentation directory at
>
http://kernel.org/doc
> > and I could easily add translations in there. I just don't know if
> this is a
> > good idea.
> >
> > The problem is, the submission of patches happens on the various
> kernel.org
> > mailing lists, which are all in English. Kernel development is done
> in a
> > single common language: English. (If you'd like to argue for it to be
> done
> > in another language, please make the proposal in Linus's native
> Swedish.)
> >
> > Setting aside for the moment version skew and coverage issues when
> translating
> > Documentation, which aren't really serious blocking issues, my
> question is
> > this: If developers aren't fluent enough with English to follow the
> > documentation, how can they follow any of the technical discussions
> necessary
> > to merge their patches back into the mainstream kernel? Doesn't this
> > encourage the creation of patches that can't easily be merged back
> into the
> > kernel?
>
> So as I argued in a previous email, non-native English speakers tend to
> be more confused by the policies and processes. I also don't think it's
> necessary to translate the technical documents. To be a software
> developer, one has to be educated or experienced in technical terms.
> Technical discussion can be done without too much requirement to grammar
> and emotional expressing. The translated document of policies and
> processes will help these people to understand the process better and go
> smoother in the process.
>
> - Leo
