[wp-trac] [WordPress Trac] #46057: Remove self-references ("we") in text in core

WordPress Trac noreply at wordpress.org
Mon Jan 21 23:44:04 UTC 2019


#46057: Remove self-references ("we") in text in core
-------------------------+-----------------------------
 Reporter:  johnbillion  |      Owner:  (none)
     Type:  enhancement  |     Status:  new
 Priority:  normal       |  Milestone:  Awaiting Review
Component:  General      |    Version:
 Severity:  minor        |   Keywords:  dev-feedback
  Focuses:               |
-------------------------+-----------------------------
 There are many text strings in WordPress core that reference the
 mysterious collective "we". Some examples:

 > PHP is the programming language we use to build and maintain WordPress.

 > Note to users of assistive technology: if you experience usability
 issues with the block editor, we recommend you continue to use the Classic
 Editor.

 > This format, which we call WordPress eXtended RSS or WXR, will contain
 your posts, pages, comments, custom fields, categories, and tags.

 > To learn more about what data we collect, and how we use it, please
 visit ...

 > If they don’t respect the WordPress license, we don’t
 recommend them.

 > Sit tight for a few more seconds while we update them as well.

 Some could pass as acceptable given the context (such as those on the
 About page), but most reference an unknown entity, and some cause switches
 between the grammatical person.

 Some just plain don't make sense:

 > The update cannot be installed because we will be unable to copy some
 files.

 > The ssh2 PHP extension is available, however, we require the PHP5
 function %s

 ----

 Text strings that reference "we" should be re-phrased so they no longer
 need to. For example:

 > PHP is the programming language that's used to build and maintain
 WordPress.

 > Note to users of assistive technology: if you experience usability
 issues with the block editor, you should continue to use the Classic
 Editor.

 One counter-argument might be that it reduces the personality of
 WordPress, but I think there are better ways to add personality to
 software than to reference a collective, unknown entity.

 Feedback welcome.

-- 
Ticket URL: <https://core.trac.wordpress.org/ticket/46057>
WordPress Trac <https://core.trac.wordpress.org/>
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