Translation and Review Guidelines - Revision history

Ariel at 01:49, 27 February 2026

2026-02-27T01:49:36Z

Ariel at 01:47, 27 February 2026

2026-02-27T01:47:11Z

Show changes

Ariel at 17:32, 17 September 2025

2025-09-17T17:32:10Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:32, 17 September 2025
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	'''Please review the tips and guidelines below prior to localizing projects. The following information will help you navigate the Transifex interface and more effectively and accurately translate and review projects.'''		'''Please review the tips and guidelines below prior to localizing projects. The following information will help you navigate the Transifex interface and more effectively and accurately translate and review projects.'''

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			===Translation and Review Workflow Policy===
			:To ensure the highest level of quality and impartiality in our projects, we follow a double-blind workflow.
			:This means that no single contributor is permitted to perform both the translation and the review of the same string or content.
			:The translator's work is independently reviewed by a separate individual to ensure accuracy, consistency, and adherence to project-specific guidelines.
			:This two-person process is a core component of our quality assurance and is a requirement for all Localization Lab projects.
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Erin: /* Always Keep the End User in Mind */ Added technical

2021-07-26T15:12:57Z

Always Keep the End User in Mind: Added technical

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:12, 26 July 2021
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	Ask yourself: "If my 65-year-old parent read this (who has a total of 3 apps on their phone and uses only one of them on a weekly basis), would they understand this without anyone's help?".		Ask yourself: "If my 65-year-old parent read this (who has a total of 3 apps on their phone and uses only one of them on a weekly basis), would they understand this without anyone's help?".

	The goal is not to literally translate words and sentences, but to make the text understandable - while still maintaining accuracy - for people coming from different linguistic and ~~cultural~~ backgrounds.		The goal is not to literally translate words and sentences, but to make the text understandable - while still maintaining accuracy - for people coming from different linguistic, cultural and technical backgrounds.
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Erin: /* Always Keep the End User in Mind */

2021-03-24T19:19:40Z

Always Keep the End User in Mind

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:19, 24 March 2021
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	Ask yourself: "If my 65-year-old parent read this (who has a total of 3 apps on their phone and uses only one of them on a weekly basis), would they understand this without anyone's help?".		Ask yourself: "If my 65-year-old parent read this (who has a total of 3 apps on their phone and uses only one of them on a weekly basis), would they understand this without anyone's help?".

	The goal is not to literally translate words and sentences, but to make the text understandable - while still maintaining accuracy - for people ~~with~~ different linguistic and cultural backgrounds.		The goal is not to literally translate words and sentences, but to make the text understandable - while still maintaining accuracy - for people coming from different linguistic and cultural backgrounds.
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Erin: /* Always Keep the End User in Mind */

2021-03-24T19:16:50Z

Always Keep the End User in Mind

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:16, 24 March 2021
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	Ask yourself: "If my 65-year-old parent read this (who has a total of 3 apps on their phone and uses only one of them on a weekly basis), would they understand this without anyone's help?".		Ask yourself: "If my 65-year-old parent read this (who has a total of 3 apps on their phone and uses only one of them on a weekly basis), would they understand this without anyone's help?".

	The goal is not to literally translate words or sentences, but to make the text understandable - while still maintaining accuracy - for people with different linguistic and cultural backgrounds.		The goal is not to literally translate words and sentences, but to make the text understandable - while still maintaining accuracy - for people with different linguistic and cultural backgrounds.
	\|}		\|}

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	===Know the Style Guide===		===Know the Style Guide===
	Check to see if there is a style guide for [https://wiki.localizationlab.org/index.php/Language_Resources your language] on this wiki.		Check to see if there is a style guide for [https://wiki.localizationlab.org/index.php/Language_Resources your language] on this wiki.

Erin at 19:16, 24 March 2021

2021-03-24T19:16:10Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:16, 24 March 2021
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	Ask yourself: "If my 65-year-old parent read this (who has a total of 3 apps on their phone and uses only one of them on a weekly basis), would they understand this without anyone's help?".		Ask yourself: "If my 65-year-old parent read this (who has a total of 3 apps on their phone and uses only one of them on a weekly basis), would they understand this without anyone's help?".

	The goal is not to translate words or sentences, ~~the goal is~~ to make the text understandable for people ~~who grew up in a~~ different ~~country~~.		The goal is not to literally translate words or sentences, but to make the text understandable - while still maintaining accuracy - for people with different linguistic and cultural backgrounds.
	\|}		\|}

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	===Know the Style Guide===		===Know the Style Guide===
	Check to see if there is a style guide for [https://wiki.localizationlab.org/index.php/Language_Resources your language] on this wiki.		Check to see if there is a style guide for [https://wiki.localizationlab.org/index.php/Language_Resources your language] on this wiki.

Erin: /* Always Keep the End User in Mind */

2021-03-24T19:14:53Z

Always Keep the End User in Mind

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:14, 24 March 2021
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	===Always Keep the End User in Mind===		===Always Keep the End User in Mind===
	Ask yourself: "If my 65-year-old parent read this (who has a total of 3 apps on their phone and uses only one of them on a weekly basis), would they understand this without anyone's help?".~~<br>~~		Ask yourself: "If my 65-year-old parent read this (who has a total of 3 apps on their phone and uses only one of them on a weekly basis), would they understand this without anyone's help?".

	The goal is not to translate words or sentences, the goal is to make the text understandable for people who grew up in a different country.		The goal is not to translate words or sentences, the goal is to make the text understandable for people who grew up in a different country.
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	===Know the Style Guide===		===Know the Style Guide===
	Check to see if there is a style guide for [https://wiki.localizationlab.org/index.php/Language_Resources your language] on this wiki.		Check to see if there is a style guide for [https://wiki.localizationlab.org/index.php/Language_Resources your language] on this wiki.

Erin: Edited capitalization, minor changes to "Always keep the end user in mind" primarily gender neutrality.

2021-03-24T19:14:29Z

Edited capitalization, minor changes to "Always keep the end user in mind" primarily gender neutrality.

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:14, 24 March 2021
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	===Do ~~not translate~~ or ~~transliterate application~~ or ~~project names.~~===		===Do Not Translate or Transliterate Application or Project Names===
	:Do not translate or transliterate project, company or application names that do not have an official or widely adopted regional variation.		:Do not translate or transliterate project, company or application names that do not have an official or widely adopted regional variation.

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	===Always ~~keep~~ the ~~end-user~~ in ~~mind~~===		===Always Keep the End User in Mind===
	Ask yourself: "If my 65 year old ~~mother~~ read this (who has a total of 3 apps on ~~her~~ phone and uses only one of them on a weekly basis), would ~~she~~ understand this without anyone's help?". The goal is not to translate words or sentences, the goal is to make the text understandable to people who grew up in a different country.		Ask yourself: "If my 65-year-old parent read this (who has a total of 3 apps on their phone and uses only one of them on a weekly basis), would they understand this without anyone's help?".<br>
			The goal is not to translate words or sentences, the goal is to make the text understandable for people who grew up in a different country.
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Meteor0id: correction to header formatting

2021-03-23T15:14:32Z

correction to header formatting

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:14, 23 March 2021
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	==Always keep the end-user in mind==		===Always keep the end-user in mind===
	Ask yourself: "If my 65 year old mother read this (who has a total of 3 apps on her phone and uses only one of them on a weekly basis), would she understand this without anyone's help?". The goal is not to translate words or sentences, the goal is to make the text understandable to people who grew up in a different country.		Ask yourself: "If my 65 year old mother read this (who has a total of 3 apps on her phone and uses only one of them on a weekly basis), would she understand this without anyone's help?". The goal is not to translate words or sentences, the goal is to make the text understandable to people who grew up in a different country.
	\|}		\|}

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:49, 27 February 2026
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	__TOC__		__TOC__

	'''Please review the tips and guidelines below prior to localizing projects. The following information will help you navigate the ~~Transifex~~ interface and more effectively and accurately translate and review projects.'''		'''Please review the tips and guidelines below prior to localizing projects. The following information will help you navigate the Weblate interface and more effectively and accurately translate and review projects.'''

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	::Localization is a group effort. If you fix a minor typo, make the change directly. If you change key terminology or structure, leave a comment explaining the change and tag the previous translator using @username. This ensures others understand your edits and can learn from them.		::Localization is a group effort. If you fix a minor typo, make the change directly. If you change key terminology or structure, leave a comment explaining the change and tag the previous translator using @username. This ensures others understand your edits and can learn from them.
	::Leaving comments ensures that other contributors understand why you have made changes, can learn from them, and can make sure to apply the changes to future translations.		::Leaving comments ensures that other contributors understand why you have made changes, can learn from them, and can make sure to apply the changes to future translations.
	::'''Report issues to project maintainers:''' If you need more context or spot a fundamental issue with the source text, let the maintainer know. Use the "Comments" tab in Weblate to start a discussion or report an issue with the source string so developers are notified.		:'''Report issues to project maintainers:''' If you need more context or spot a fundamental issue with the source text, let the maintainer know. Use the "Comments" tab in Weblate to start a discussion or report an issue with the source string so developers are notified.
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	===Read the ''Developer Notes'' and ''Context''===		===Read the ''Developer Notes'' and ''Context''===
	:Developer notes and context are located in the "Source string info" section or "Context" tab in the Weblate editor. Always read and follow these instructions for the string you are translating.		:Developer notes and context are located in the "Source string info" section or "Context" tab in the Weblate editor. Always read and follow these instructions for the string you are translating.

	~~[[File:Developer notes.png\|500px\|center\|Example of ''Developer Notes''.]]~~
	~~<br>~~
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	===Focus on Consistency===		===Focus on Consistency===
	Ensure translations for recurring terminology and duplicate strings are consistent across a project. Weblate provides features to help manage consistency:		:Ensure translations for recurring terminology and duplicate strings are consistent across a project. Weblate provides features to help manage consistency:
	'''Search:''' Use the search bar to find words and phrases across components and projects.		:'''Search:''' Use the search bar to find words and phrases across components and projects.
	'''Translation Memory:''' The "Translation memory" tab in the editor shows how similar strings were translated previously.		:'''Translation Memory:''' The "Translation memory" tab in the editor shows how similar strings were translated previously.
	'''Glossary:''' The "Glossary" tab displays approved translations for key terms. If a term is missing, Reviewers can add it directly to the glossary.		:'''Glossary:''' The "Glossary" tab displays approved translations for key terms. If a term is missing, Reviewers can add it directly to the glossary.
	\|}		\|}

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	===Watch Out for Placeholders, HTML, and Markup===		===Watch Out for Placeholders, HTML, and Markup===
	:'''Placeholders and variables:''' Strings often contain placeholders (e.g., %s, {user}) replacing dynamic content. Keep these unchanged. You can move them to where they make grammatical sense in your target language. If you are unsure what a placeholder represents, check the context or ask the maintainer.		:'''Placeholders and variables:''' Strings often contain placeholders (e.g., %s, {user}) replacing dynamic content. Keep these unchanged. You can move them to where they make grammatical sense in your target language. If you are unsure what a placeholder represents, check the context or ask the maintainer.
	HTML and Unicode entities: Keep HTML entities (e.g.,  , <) exactly as they appear in the source, or replace them with their corresponding character if appropriate.		:'''HTML and Unicode entities:''' Keep HTML entities (e.g.,  , <) exactly as they appear in the source, or replace them with their corresponding character if appropriate.
	:'''New lines:''' Ensure your translation has the exact same number of new lines (\n) as the English source text.		:'''New lines:''' Ensure your translation has the exact same number of new lines (\n) as the English source text.
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	===Pay Attention to Read-Only and Failing Checks===		===Pay Attention to Read-Only and Failing Checks===
	Some strings are marked as read-only or flagged to be ignored. Do not force translations on these. Weblate has built-in quality checks that will trigger a ''failing check'' warning if your translation mismatches the source format, variables, or punctuation. Always review and resolve these warnings.		:Some strings are marked as read-only or flagged to be ignored. Do not force translations on these. Weblate has built-in quality checks that will trigger a ''failing check'' warning if your translation mismatches the source format, variables, or punctuation. Always review and resolve these warnings.
	\|}		\|}

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	===Punctuation, Capitalization, Double Spaces, and Typos===		===Punctuation, Capitalization, Double Spaces, and Typos===
	Small details matter. An inconsistent interface reduces user trust. While translating and reviewing, ensure you:		:Small details matter. An inconsistent interface reduces user trust. While translating and reviewing, ensure you:
	:Use correct and consistent punctuation.		::Use correct and consistent punctuation.
	:Use correct capitalization. Match the English source unless your language rules dictate otherwise.		::Use correct capitalization. Match the English source unless your language rules dictate otherwise.
	:Add the correct number of brackets and parentheses.		::Add the correct number of brackets and parentheses.
	:Do not add double spaces unless present in the original source. Weblate will flag trailing or multiple spaces as a failing check.		::Do not add double spaces unless present in the original source. Weblate will flag trailing or multiple spaces as a failing check.
	\|}		\|}

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	===Reference ~~other~~ Languages===		===Reference Other Languages===
	If you are multilingual, you can view current translations in other languages to better understand the context. Use the "Other languages" tab in the Weblate editor. Remember to ultimately defer to the English source text, as other translations may not be fully reviewed.		:If you are multilingual, you can view current translations in other languages to better understand the context. Use the "Other languages" tab in the Weblate editor. Remember to ultimately defer to the English source text, as other translations may not be fully reviewed.
	\|}		\|}

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	===Always Keep the End User in Mind===		===Always Keep the End User in Mind===
	Ask yourself if a non-technical user would understand your translation without help. The goal is to make the text understandable and culturally appropriate, rather than translating literally.		:Ask yourself if a non-technical user would understand your translation without help. The goal is to make the text understandable and culturally appropriate, rather than translating literally.
	\|}		\|}

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	===Know the Style Guide===		===Know the Style Guide===
	Check to see if there is a style guide for [https://wiki.localizationlab.org/index.php/Language_Resources your language] on this wiki.		:Check to see if there is a style guide for [https://wiki.localizationlab.org/index.php/Language_Resources your language] on this wiki.

	No style guide on the Localization Lab wiki for your language team? Refer to [https://wiki.localizationlab.org/index.php/Language_Resources#Multi-Lingual_Style_Guides style guides for other technical projects].		:No style guide on the Localization Lab wiki for your language team? Refer to [https://wiki.localizationlab.org/index.php/Language_Resources#Multi-Lingual_Style_Guides style guides for other technical projects].
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