"Nonsense" is exactly correct! I suspect this is more a case of a programmer shortcut to meet a deadline, field definition "not outlined in the code specs," or some other glitch - nefarious or not.
Regardless of whatever the vast majority of world users' information design system dictates as the commonly accepted terminology (e.g., "Postal Code," "Zip Code," etc.) the definition of a term given to an MS application entry field should
at the very least be common enough as to be locatable (and relevant to the intended application's term) in most standard English language dictionaries.
As a professional tech writer, amateur grammar Nazi, and proponent of communication in Plain English, this practice of inventing (or assimilating) terminology simply because it sounds cool or application/gadget specific is annoying to me. Here's what I mean:
- I dabble in MS SharePoint site design. If I choose to activate specific out-of-the-box SharePoint List fields to collect/display Contact information I have field names that include "First Name (/Last Name/Company) Phonetic." IMHO, these field name identifiers
conform to the tenants of Plain English (i.e. audience can find what they need; understand what they find; and use what they find to meet their needs). Any user not familiar with the term
"phonetic" can reference any standard printed or online English dictionary to locate a fairly common definition in order to understand the concept.
- In contrast, an online dictionary search for***"yomi name"***results in dozens of ambiguous (unrelated or nonsensical) definitions, including:
- Yomi (黄泉^?^),
the Japanese word for the underworld in which horrible creatures guard the exits. (Wikipedia);
- Yomi is a Japanese term
meaning "Knowing the mind of the opponent", and is essentially an intangible asset required in fighting games. (Urban Dictionary);
- Yomi origin is from Yomigana (AKA Furigana). and it was a way to put Japanese names that had arcane or ambiguous Kanji into phonetic Hiragana. (MS programmer forum;
it's all right there in the definition: "arcane... ambiguous... phonetic"!);
- Quite a few verbs in Japanese are like Yomi, where the reading changes depending on whether it is being used literally or figuratively. Picking up a word meaning in kanji may be easier by memorizing them from the kun-yomi angle. Each index card contains
the on-yomi, kun-yomis, and any related Chinese readings include Chinese compound words on the back. (sci.lang.japan);
- Yomi gives you a strong sense of responsibility in business and material affairs, and the practicality and determination to make a success of anything you undertake. Your particular date of birth determines your unique core purpose, the reason for your
life, and the pathway you should follow for ultimate happiness. (Kabala Philosophy).
If I had to choose my preferred Yomi definition/description based on personal appeal, I'd go with the Kabala Philosphy, but would choose to utilize it to enter an appropriate mantra for the name entered rather than phonetic equivalent. My
Outlook People contacts will discover an entry field below my name which reads "Om." My supervisor's? perhaps something like "glass half-empty."