Proposal: Hidden English aliases / symlinks for localized XDG user directories (for terminal users in non-English locales)
The idea is inspired by how Windows handles known folders, and I think Linux could do it even better. When you install Linux in Japanese (or any other language), the system creates localized names for the standard XDG user directories:
eg:
~/Desktop \->
デスクトップThis is nice for the graphical desktop, Dolphin, Nautilus, etc. show everything in natural Japanese. But for anyone who uses the terminal, SSHes in, writes scripts, or uses TTY, it becomes a real pain.
Long Japanese paths are cumbersome to type, tab-completion can be awkward, copying commands between machines breaks, and dealing with IME, especially if it's not set up properly ( and especially in TTY) is extra friction.
I've thought of two possible solutions to this problem:
1. Windows-style approach: the graphical file manager lies
The actual folder on the filesystem is always in English (
~/Downloads,
\~/Desktop, etc.). The desktop environment and file manager then display the localized name (
ダウンロード,
デスクトップ, etc.) to the user.
2. Hidden English symlinks/aliases approach
Both versions exist on the filesystem: The real localized folder (
~/ダウンロード), plus a hidden English symlink or alias
~/Downloads that points to the same folder.
So these both work:
cd ~/Downloads
cd ~/ダウンロード
The graphical file manager only shows you the localized path.
Addtional benefits:
People like me who currently use English on the entire system just to avoid this annoyance might actually switch to My own language. That leads to more real-world usage and better translation contributions.
I actually want to get the opinions of developers and other non-latin ESL linux users on this thread of if this is even possible. Or do you even want this? I know i certainly do.
https://redd.it/1t6zdgb@r_linux
