Language in openstreetmap and process of decision

bppb · 2024-05-14T16:02:26.287Z

Sorry, newbee here,
I had read that local language should be used in openstreetmap.
I do not understand why Philadelphi corridor in Rafa, Gaza, Palestine is marked in Hebrew
ציר פילדלפי
not in arabic محور فيلادلفيا
apparently
Why is it marked military zone? Danger zone? Who decides to make and keep these edits
What are the “tunnel areas” doing in the south of Rafah?
then some streets names appear in English ?
Thank you for your help,

ToniE · 2024-05-14T16:11:54.941Z

bppb:

I had read that local language should be used in openstreetmap.

Yeah, you’re right in general. I can’t judge in this specific area though.

name= should reflect the local language
name:en= can be used to specify the same in english language
name:de= can be used to specify the same in german language
there are many other suffixes for the language

It then depends then on the map renderer which language(es) to show on the map.

Which map are you referring to?

I also saw that a user changed some names like for this one Way: ‪موراج‬ (‪41315741‬) | OpenStreetMap two days ago and the changes did not yet show up in all zoom levels. Maybe another cause of irritation?

bppb · 2024-05-14T16:45:55.775Z

Thank for the answer.
The feature appear here :

OpenStreetMap

Way: ‪ציר פילדלפי‬ (‪1280828029‬) | OpenStreetMap

OpenStreetMap is a map of the world, created by people like you and free to use under an open license.

on the standard layer
Does this answer your question?
thanks again

bppb · 2024-05-16T08:13:18.164Z

I am replying to myself as I am not sure what to do.
Should I go ahead and replace English and Hebrew names by Arabic ones in name= and if needed add name:en= ?
Thank-you,

Casey_boy · 2024-05-16T08:21:38.419Z

It looks like @Friendly_Ghost has deleted the object in question anyway - so perhaps no longer an issue?

bppb · 2024-05-16T08:34:37.429Z

Thank you for the answer and for the remark.
Despite reloading I still had the same map worked though.
I now see the edits.

My question remains for English names on streets. Shouldn’t they be in Arabic? (It is a real question, I do not know the answer)
If so should I replace them?
Thank-you again

Casey_boy · 2024-05-16T08:39:44.844Z

As noted earlier:

ToniE:

name= should reflect the local language

name:en= can be used to specify the same in english language

and from the name Wiki page:

As a rule of thumb, the primary name would be the most obvious name of the feature, the one that end users expect data consumers to expose in a label or other interface element. Here are the usual sources of primary names:

The most prominent name on a sign posted on the feature itself, especially for a feature in the built environment

The name of the feature on a sign elsewhere, such as a fingerpost

Common or official usage, especially for a feature in the natural environment

So if you feel that the Arabic name is most suited based on the above criteria then, yes, it probably should be.

However, it’s also worth bearing in mind:

Sometimes these sources disagree: a single feature may be known by a different name to different people or in different places. In case of doubt, OpenStreetMap favours the situation “on the ground”. For example, the primary name of a disputed territory would match the usage of the side that has on-the-ground control of the territory.[1] However, the on-the-ground rule is not absolute; you may need to use common sense

Friendly_Ghost · 2024-05-16T08:49:45.608Z

Hi. Yes, I deleted some military landuse in Gaza. The relevant changeset discussion can be found here: Changeset: 150279661 | OpenStreetMap

Edit:
Second discussion: Changeset: 151384374 | OpenStreetMap