Richard Stallman wrote:
rahulsundaram@yahoo.co.in wrote:
- The appropriate equivalent of the word freedom in
Tamil is 'sudanthiram' rather than 'viduthalai' as mentioned here (http://www.gnu.org/philosophy/words-to-avoid.html).
Do people agree?
'Sudanthiram' is the more appropriate equivalent in Tamil for 'freedom'. 'Viduthalai' means release from bondage. Since the point is to find an equivalent for 'free software', we may have to search further.
In Tamil, software is called 'menporul'. 'men' is derived from 'menmai' meaning 'soft', and 'pourl' meaning 'meaning', 'substance', or 'wares'. Free Software could be called 'sudanthira menporul' but does not sound good. 'ilavasam' exactly means free without price, and 'ilavasa menporul' is not the expression we would want to use.
Freedom without restrictions is often conveyed with 'kattatra sudanthiram'.
'kattatra menporul' would be closest equivalent to 'free software' in Tamil.
'kattu' means 'restriction' and 'kattatra' means 'without restriction'. The root meaning of 'kattu' is to tie together, to bond together, and this results in a 'construction'. By constructing, we restrict and control. 'kattu maram' (catamaran - in English) means the raft or float of logs (maram) tied side by side. 'kattidam' is naturally a building. Well, we can build may words and expressions this way with 'kattu' [pun unintended] 'Anai kattu' means a dam - a restriction that stores water. But freedom is more meaningful without restrictions, and the adage is therefore 'kattatra sudanthiram' - freedom without restrictions. Likewise, 'kattatra menporul' - software without restrictions - could be a suitable equivant for 'free software'.
Every Tamil probably has a poet hiding in him, and 'kattatra menporul' would allow lot of play with words. 'kattu' means to build, to compose, to bundle, to pack, firm, solid, and enjoys many more meanings that could convey various aspects of free software. 'kattatra menporul' could directly mean the (unbuilt!) source code, that we usually download and build. 'kattum' means reasonable and affordable.
'kattatra menporul kattu' - free software package 'kattatra menporul namakku kattum' - free software is reasonable and suits us. 'kattana menporul' - this is solid (and even attractive!) code
Is there a better expression than 'kattatra menporul' for 'free software' in Tamil?