On Sunday 08 May 2005 06:35 pm, Chris BONDE wrote:
> Jean Hollis Weber wrote:
> > Language note (because I happen to be thinking of it):
> >
> > One thing I remove from the UK and Australian chapters is the word
> > "tick" (meaning "to select a checkbox"), because US Americans are
> > not always familiar with that term. I also prefer not to use the
> > word "check" in that context, because "check" is used to mean "look
> > at and make sure" or "look at and verify". So we "select"
> > checkboxes. Not only that, I tend to not use the term "checkbox"
> > and just say "select <blah blah>" where <blah blah> is the label of
> > the checkbox.
> >
> > Cheers, Jean
>
> I like this. This is where we have to come to an agreement. I
> remember a report about a radio conversation during WW2. (I tend to
> remember a few things about radio as I am a 'HAM'.)
>
> The Brits, Auzzies and Kiwis were passing info,(Pacific Theatre) the
> Americans asked again and 'agin' to 'say agin', finally a Canuck
> responded 'Do you want me to translate?'
>
> So do we select a check box or check a select box? Then there are
> radio boxes. I donot know what the answer is but the main thing is
> consistency. (Old auditor I do not care if it is right or wrong but
> you must be consistent!!) (The Americans tend not to know what a
> 'cheque' is)
>
> Chris
I would think that the wording should match the terminology. To use
the word "tick" requires knowing what the word means, and there are
many people who do not know. (I didn't until just now.) However,
"selecting a checkbox" has something to do with a checkbox. It is
easier then to figure out what the phrase means. (View point of a US
citizen.)
For the record, I have used cheques here in the US. We usually use
the term check when paying bills with them. However, there are American
Express Travelor Cheques available at banks that can be purchased in
certain denominations of currency. Very likely, very few people who
have used them has ever noticed the difference in spelling.
Dan
