[MOBY-dev] xml:lang explored

[Jason Stewart]

Hey Martin,

2008/5/28 Martin Senger <martin.senger at gmail.com>:
>> 1) allow registration with multiple languages per instance
>> 2) stick with english only
>> 3) register with one language, but record the language
>
>
>> Of these cases I believe that using xml:lang is only valuable if 1) is
>> chosen.

> When we met in February, I understood that we decided to have option 3. And
> doing it by using xml:lang - I do not see why you are saying that it cannot
> be used for option 3.

Thanks - I guess I need to clarify. I'm definitely new to the scene
and so I am trying to play catchup with what has already been
discussed.

Yes, xml:lang can be used without any problem for 3) - but my point
was that it wouldn't change the current user experience of MOBY. I
wasn't understanding how it would change what users do. If a user
registers a service and provides the description in Spanish - it will
be stored as xml:lang="es" in the DB. But I don't believe that users
will look for services based on the value of that xml:lang attribute -
the description will be returned to them (in Spanish) just as it was
without storing the xml:lang. Perhaps I am missing something important
- so please help me understand if I don't get it.

In my mind, the real value of xml:lang is when it can be used to
return the user information in their preferred language - only
supporting a single language defeats that purpose. That way the
returned descriptions of any registered service will all be in Spanish
if they exist - or English if they do not, or whatever language is
available if English is not present.

I hope this helps clarify what I meant.

Cheers, jas.