File: gettext.info,  Node: Split at paragraphs,  Next: No string concatenation,  Prev: Entire sentences,  Up: Preparing Strings

4.3.3 Split at paragraphs
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   Translatable strings should be limited to one paragraph; don't let a
single message be longer than ten lines.  The reason is that when the
translatable string changes, the translator is faced with the task of
updating the entire translated string.  Maybe only a single word will
have changed in the English string, but the translator doesn't see that
(with the current translation tools), therefore she has to proofread the
entire message.

   Many GNU programs have a ‘--help’ output that extends over several
screen pages.  It is a courtesy towards the translators to split such a
message into several ones of five to ten lines each.  While doing that,
you can also attempt to split the documented options into groups, such
as the input options, the output options, and the informative output
options.  This will help every user to find the option he is looking
for.