OpenStreetMap

I just noticed an interesting thing. If you want to create a point indicating a garbage dumpster (trash container or whatever similar) using iD with the English language interface, you add a point geometry and then start typing “garbage” in the Search field. Once you’ve typed “gar”, found tagging options will be related to anything “garden” and “garbage”, but there will also be a “ॐ Hindu Temple” as a sixth item. If you type one more letter and make it “garb”, you’ll have everything “garbage”, but Hindu Temple will jump to the second place.

I’m not claiming that I know how it works, but I assume that there are keywords tied to an interface language and to every tag or set of tags for a specific object. They seem to be language-dependent (while it is still possible to type something in German, like “wald”, and get Wood as an option), otherwise, there would be a lot more confusion with similarly spelled keywords from different languages.

However, I don’t see any logic in this specific situation. As Wikipedia says, “Garbhagriha” is a Sanskrit word for a part of a Hindu temple (not even for a temple itself). How often might it be typed in Latin alphabet by iD users? Does it really belong to English interface, keeping in mind that English is not the main language in any of those countries where Hindu religion is prominent enough? It definitely belongs to Hindu and some other languages, but English? By the way, if you try typing “altar” (also a part of a temple in many religions) - nothing related to temples or cathedrals will pop up. Considering this logic, Hindu Temple should not show up on a list after typing “gar” or “garb” in a search form.

Just to be clear: I don’t care if it will continue popping up - it looks amusing to me, not just “wrong”. I’m not going to dig into iD’s complicated structure and register on any translation services to fix that.

Discussion

Comment from bhousel on 19 January 2018 at 04:38

Yes you are correct! The search terms can be found in the preset definition file for Hindu temple:

` “terms”: [ “garbhargriha”, “mandu”, “puja”, “shrine”, “temple” ], `

The preset search terms are language dependent, and can contain anything that users might type while looking for the feature that they want to add. We often fill these lists with common synonyms or related words.

(If you think it makes sense for “altar” to appear in this list also, please open an issue or pull request!)

Comment from PlaneMad on 19 January 2018 at 07:34

As Wikipedia says, “Garbhagriha” is a Sanskrit word for a part of a Hindu temple (not even for a temple itself)

Good catch, have never heard the term in common use in India for a temple. Have submitted improvements to the list which should fix this.

Comment from Dzertanoj on 19 January 2018 at 09:35

@bhousel, my logic that I’ve explained above is quite opposite: neither altar nor garbhargriha should be among the keywords, altar - because it’s not a synonym for a temple, church or cathedral, garbhargriha - for the same reason and because it’s not an English word anyway. That’s what happens when people who have no idea about foreign culture/language and real needs of foreign people start “helping” foreigners. Pretty much like a lot of Russian mappers who add “English” names to everything including a local public toilet in some village.

Comment from bhousel on 19 January 2018 at 13:13

That’s what happens when people who have no idea about foreign culture/language and real needs of foreign people start “helping” foreigners.

Indeed, some days I don’t know why I even try.

Comment from Dzertanoj on 19 January 2018 at 21:04

“Helping” means “doing useful, productive things”, not “doing something”.

Comment from nzan on 21 January 2018 at 03:13

Maybe it should be geography-specific. As far as I can tell the largest Hindu nation, India, is very much also an English speaking populace. At least in cities and among the more affluent / educated. But maybe what we actually need is a drill down system so we can avoid terms that are overly-specific in any language. Like looking for a restaurant and getting “cilantro” and “carrot” as result.

Comment from PlaneMad on 22 January 2018 at 06:24

@Dzertanoj @nzan

Before we go on making assumptions about a country with 1.3 billion people, lets celebrate the fact that the system is open enough for the actual users in the country to make improvements as needed. Thank you @bhousel!

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