Does "modification" include translation to another HLL?

[Kenny Tilton]

The open source licenses I have looked at cover "modifications to the
software".

Now suppose I have developed a useful hack in language X, which could
readily be translated into language Z. Can someone else make that
translation and claim ownwership of that software?

I am thinking that "modification" might include translation, or that I
would have to explicitly mention translation in a license--but would
that then hold up?

thx,

ken tilton
clinisys
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