Working on #335067: format_plural is missing, I learned that some languages use the singular form when treating zero statements.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plural#Zero

In English, we say "I have 0 items" in plural form. In some languages like French, we'd say "j'ai 0 élément" in singular form. This doesn't seem to be reflected in format_plural(). I traced it into locale_get_plural() and the language table in the database. Plural is applied to zero statements by default, and there doesn't seem to be an exception for French (and perhaps for other languages too).

I don't know where the change should be, but French should treat zero statements in the singular form. Other languages might be affect as well, but I'm neither a language expert nor a language system / locale module expert.

Comments

lilou’s picture

lilou commented

see also #384866: Clarify documentation for format_plural()

damien tournoud’s picture

damien tournoud commented
Status: Active » Closed (won't fix)

The plural formula is there for this. In French, we use:

nplurals=2; plural=(n > 1)

The logic of format_plural() is a little bit convoluted, but it does work. What makes you think there is an issue here?

JamesAn’s picture

JamesAn commented
Status: Closed (won't fix) » Closed (fixed)

Cleaning up some issues.

I think I understand now. Yes, the format_plural() logic is convoluted, but I think I got it.. in a confusing sort of way. =) Issue closed.