Last update: January 16, 2026
If you have any comments, suggestions, questions or need for an arbitration, create a topic in the Style Guide section, the Language Lead will get back to you.
Here you will find the guidance for Kabyle, but you should also consider the guidance for all languages.
Capitalization
• Capitalize only the first letter of a sentence and proper names (people, products, places).
Examples:
o Capitalize: Proton Mail, Proton VPN, NetShield; first word in a sentence, title, or subtitle.
o Do not capitalize: web, internet (unless first word in a sentence).
• UI commands with slash: capitalize both words: Import/Export File
Gender
• Use gender-neutral forms where possible.
• If neutrality is impossible, use appropriate grammatical gender.
• Prefer passive voice only if it does not reduce clarity.
• Rephrase for clarity and neutrality:
o “Are you sure you want to delete this calendar?” → “Do you really want to delete this calendar?”
Abbreviations
• Avoid abbreviations unless space-constrained.
• Truncate words by omitting letters and adding a period if necessary.
• Days/Months abbreviations:
o Monday → Mon, January → Jan
Acronyms
• Refer to glossary for common acronyms.
• Spell out acronym once per section if repeated.
• Gender/number based on main noun translation (API = feminine).
Pronouns
• Reduce or omit pronouns where possible.
• Avoid possessive pronouns when unnecessary.
• Use structured sentences: “Contacts imported. They will appear in your contact list.”
Gerunds (-ing)
• Action/title → infinitive: “Generating keys” → “Generate keys”
• Processing → in-progress form: “Importing” → “Importing in progress”
Punctuation
• Periods: follow English rules.
• Exclamation marks: sparing use.
• Parentheses: avoid when possible; restructure sentence if needed.
• Comma: no comma before “and” or “or” linking two related terms.
• Colon/Semicolon: precede by space; lowercase after semicolon.
• Dashes: replace Em/En dash with comma/full stop if more natural.
• Quotation marks: use “example”; period inside.
Spacing / Non-breaking spaces
• Non-breaking spaces for: punctuation, product names, numbers, dates, units, currency.
Example: 30 € → 30[non-breaking space]€
Numbers
• Decimal point → dot.
• Thousands separator → comma.
• Time: 24-hour or AM/PM format.
• Date: US mm/dd/yy; UK dd/mm/yy.
Ordinal Numbers
• Numerals + suffix: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, …
• Plural: complete word (first → firsts).
Currencies
• Do not convert USD/EUR.
• Symbol after number with space: $30, €30
Units of measurement
• Metric preferred; insert space between number and unit.
• Convert imperial units to metric.
Form of address
• Use second-person singular/plural as appropriate.
• CTA buttons: infinitive or 2nd person plural.
English/US Terms
• Keep common English expressions: “Please”, “Now”, “Successfully”, “Failed”.
• Use clear, benevolent phrasing in errors/messages.
Foreign words
• Keep common English terms if widely recognized.
• Provide explanation for less common words.
• Avoid unnecessary anglicisms.
Localizing person names
• Fictitious names: generic, non-stereotypical.
• Real names: do not translate.
Domains/email addresses
• Localize fictitious addresses only.
• Real addresses/domains: do not translate.
Error / Success / Info messages
• Structured sentences: subject + verb.
• Full negation for clarity.
• Nominal phrases: no final period.
CTA (Call-To-Action) buttons
• Neutral/infinitive: Copy link, Download, Learn more.
• Engaging/2nd person: Contact us, Share this page, Buy gift card.