dpgettext

dpgettext is a function in the GNU gettext library that returns a translated string for a given message identifier within a specified text domain and context. It extends the standard gettext mechanism by combining domain selection with context-based disambiguation, allowing the same message text to have different translations depending on how it is used.

Prototype and signature: char *dpgettext(const char *domainname, const char *msgctxt, const char *msgid); This mirrors the gettext API, with domainname selecting the translation domain (the relevant .mo file) and msgctxt providing the contextual disambiguation defined by msgctxt in the translation source. The msgid is the original, untranslated message.

Operation: The function looks up the translation for the pair (msgctxt, msgid) in the catalog for the given domain. If a matching translation exists, it returns it; otherwise it returns the original msgid. If the specified domain or catalog cannot be found, the function typically falls back to returning the original msgid.

Context and usage: Context strings (msgctxt) enable disambiguation of identical msgids, such as different meanings of a word in a user interface. dpgettext is commonly used in C or C++ programs that employ multiple translation domains and require context-aware translations.

Relation to related functions: dpgettext is part of a family that includes dgettext, dcgettext, pgettext, and dcpgettext. It is particularly useful when a program needs both domain-based and context-based translation to accurately reflect meaning across different parts of an application.