# Computer terminology in other languages

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-terminology-in-other-languages/24092>\
**Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\
**Created:** [June 29, 2000, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-terminology-in-other-languages/24092 "2000-06-29T23:40:38Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![dougie\_monty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@dougie\_monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougie_monty)\
**Post date:** [June 29, 2000, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-terminology-in-other-languages/24092/1 "2000-06-29T23:40:38Z")

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For example, how does one pronounce the “@” symbol when giving an e-mail address in Spanish?

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**Author:** ![Coldfire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a587f6/32.png) [@Coldfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coldfire)\
**Post date:** [June 29, 2000, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-terminology-in-other-languages/24092/2 "2000-06-29T23:55:12Z")

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We proncounce it as “at”, just like y’all, or as “apestaartje” which means monkey tail. Cool, huh?

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**Author:** ![matt\_mcl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ab992/32.png) [@matt\_mcl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/matt_mcl)\
**Post date:** [June 29, 2000, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-terminology-in-other-languages/24092/3 "2000-06-29T23:59:18Z")

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In French, an @ is “un arobas” or “un a commercial”.

In Esperanto, it used to be called “po-signo” (meaning apiece-sign, since that’s how it’s used in commerce). Now, of course, it’s called “che-signo” (at-sign), but is read “che” (at). As in

[matt\_mcl@hotmail.com](mailto:matt_mcl@hotmail.com)

is read

mo-a-to-to-substreko-mo-co-lo-che-hotmail-punkto-co-o-mo