Standard syntax for translatable UI text?

Subject: Standard syntax for translatable UI text?
From: Lee Hunter <lee -at- streamoflight -dot- com>
To: "techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>
Date: Mon, 17 Jun 2013 15:31:58 -0400

Is there a widely-used syntax standard for UI strings in terms of helping
to make them clear for non-native speakers of English and for ease of
translation?

The specific issue in question is whether, for communicating a successful
change in state, the UI should use a construction like "Settings have been
saved" vs "Settings saved" and whether it's worth adding a note to the UI
style guide to that effect.

I would have thought "Settings saved" was better but some people seem to
think the "...have been ..." construction makes translation easier.

Lee Hunter
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