Is a computer displaying "インストールしています" correct? Weird?


I just noticed that Windows is using "…をインストールしています" while installing
something. The use of "〜います" by a computer strikes me as slightly weird, like
too literal a translation leading to overdone anthropomorphism. I often see
"インストール中" or something similar instead and personally prefer it.

I'd expect this use to be _correct_ , but is it elegant, natural?




I cannot speak for other people, but personally I find nothing wrong with
either インストールしています or インストール中. In both cases, the unstated subject is the
installer or the computer.

On the other hand, インストールされています, mentioned in a comment, sounds definitely
unnatural and “translationese” to me if it is used when a program is being
installed. I guess that the reason is that されている usually means a state instead
of an ongoing action in the passive form. For example, compare the following
two sentences:

  * Office をインストールしています。
  * Office がインストールされています。

The former means that Office is currently being installed, while the latter
will almost surely mean that Office exists on the system (as a result of
installation in the past) just like the English sentence “Office is
installed.”

In general, a computer or a program can naturally be a subject of actions in
Japanese. For example, a hypothetical email client can show メールを送信しました after
sending email messages. In English, this will probably be stated in the
passive form such as “Messages (have been) sent.” If you feel that the passive
form is more natural, that preference probably comes from the use of the
passive form in your native language. In Japanese, メールが送信されました is ok, but the
use of the passive form makes it sound slightly complicated for no good
reason. メールを送信しました is just fine.




I cannot speak for other people, but personally I find nothing wrong with
either インストールしています or インストール中. In both cases, the unstated subject is the
installer or the computer.

On the other hand, インストールされています, mentioned in a comment, sounds definitely
unnatural and “translationese” to me if it is used when a program is being
installed. I guess that the reason is that されている usually means a state instead
of an ongoing action in the passive form. For example, compare the following
two sentences:

  * Office をインストールしています。
  * Office がインストールされています。

The former means that Office is currently being installed, while the latter
will almost surely mean that Office exists on the system (as a result of
installation in the past) just like the English sentence “Office is
installed.”

In general, a computer or a program can naturally be a subject of actions in
Japanese. For example, a hypothetical email client can show メールを送信しました after
sending email messages. In English, this will probably be stated in the
passive form such as “Messages (have been) sent.” If you feel that the passive
form is more natural, that preference probably comes from the use of the
passive form in your native language. In Japanese, メールが送信されました is ok, but the
use of the passive form makes it sound slightly complicated for no good
reason. メールを送信しました is just fine.

