7

In English, the word "toggle" means to switch the state of something with two states. Turn on if off, and turn off if on. In programming, it could be written as thing = !thing.

What would be the best translation for a phrase like "Toggle Edit Mode"? A few ideas:

  • Basculer mode édition

  • Activer ou désactiver mode édition

  • Changer mode édition

  • Commuter mode édition

  • Inversion mode édition

I got "basculer" from Google Translate, but it doesn't seem to be what I want, though I could be wrong. Alternative English translations include: tip, topple, tumble, overbalance.

I got "inversion" from Minecraft: /toggledownfall -> "Inversion des intempéries"

Improve this question

2 Answers 2

Reset to default
2

All of your suggestions are acceptable.

Depending on the available space, I would suggest :

Activer / désactiver le mode édition

[Dés]activer mode édition

Commuter mode édition

Activer mode édition

Mode édition

Basculer is not a bad translation either. Here, it comes from bascule (seesaw):

  enter image description here

Improve this answer
3

Some of your proposals are correct, but don’t seem natural to a native French speaker (in France).

Following other answer I’d propose

[Des] activer le mode édition

Commuter is not a commonly used word in French, looks like English, and won’t be understood...

If you have any way to speak to your developers, the best option would still be to have two strings Activer... Désactiver... Toggled from code But that’s not often an option

Improve this answer
4
  • 1
    The French and English to commute / commuter have moved away so much that they are mostly false friends nowadays. I agree the French commuter is not mainstream but it should be understood at least by technical aware people.
    – jlliagre
    Apr 5, 2018 at 17:04
  • Commuter definitely doesn't sound like an English synonym for Toggle in any way.
    – Aaron Franke
    Apr 5, 2018 at 18:50
  • 1
    Also, changing between Activer and Désactiver is not an option in some situations, such as when describing what a button does in a tutorial or in the settings menu.
    – Aaron Franke
    Apr 6, 2018 at 6:37
  • good catch @AaronFranke
    – Regis Portalez
    Apr 6, 2018 at 8:01

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge that you have read and understand our privacy policy and code of conduct.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.