Datasheet

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-da infinitive is used after verbs of emotion, after impersonal expressions, after et in order to and as a subject. It
can be declined: -des inessive.
Verb derivation: -ta- transitive/passive, -u- / -i- reflexive, -el- / -le- reciprocal, -ne- translative, -ata- momentane, -
el- / -skle- frequentative, -tse- continuous.
Emphasis: verb + -gi after a final voiced consonant or vowel / -ki after a final voiceless consonant, verb + küll
positive, verb + mitte negative.
Example: + installima, installida, installitud, installinud, installitakse, installiv, installitav, installige, installi
Continuous operations are usually expressed in English with a gerund, which should be translated into Estonian
using –mine suffix.
Example: + Tracing image — Pildi otsimine
Word Order
Try to ensure uniform word order within the same product as well as across different products. The general rule is
that differently from English, in Estonian, new or the most important information goes at the end of the sentence,
thus you should consider the possibility of transforming the word order used in the English sentence.
Example: + Failed to open this installation package — Paigalduspaketi avamine ebaõnnestus (the last component
of the sentence in this case conveys new information that the user‘s attention should be drawn to)
Style and Tone Considerations
This section focuses on higher-level considerations for audience, style, tone, and voice.
Audience
The style, tone and voice of Microsoft text is dependent on the audience. Most Microsoft products have a broad
audience, so the text should be inclusive and nondiscriminatory. Terminology should not make users feel that the
product is not for them. For example, Windows Live tone is very friendly and soft, while Legal texts are more strict
and official. General Microsoft style is neutral.
Example: Vaadake oma sõbra uusi pilte.
Style
The language of Microsoft products should inspire confidence in our users by:
· Including the appropriate amount of information for successful task completion.
· Providing clear, consistent syntax and terminology.
· Conveying a specific personality.
The most important goal of Microsoft language is to ensure that users understand how to use the product.