Last modified 2 years ago

Translate Zentyal to Other Languages

Zentyal server uses the  GNU gettext tools for localization. With the aim of making translators' work easier and more accessible, we have set up an open source web application called  pootle on  http://translate.zentyal.org/ This application offers very intuitive, easy-to-use, graphical interface making it possible for anyone to start contributing to the translation simply by registering on-line and starting to translate!

All translation issues are discussed in the  zentyal-i18n mailing list. This is the place to announce what are you working at, if you want to translate a new language not existing in our pootle or if you have any problems with your account. We specially encourage you to enroll to this list if you are going to translate on your own, so you can be aware if a organized translation group is created for your language!

In order to allow the different localization (language) groups to self-organize themselves and to guarantee better quality of translation, the Zentyal Development Team has thought about establishing self-governed localization groups. Whereas it is not obligatory to belong to a localization group in order to translate, we do encourage you to get to know the other Zentyal translators of your language and to work together for a better translation! Please find below the details and the structure we propose for the localization groups.

Aims of the localization groups

We aim to create one localization group per language. Each localization group can have three types of members: Language Leader, Quality Supervisor and Translators. These groups will be created on demand, as soon as we have a Language Leader available (see roles below). All localization groups are coordinated by Localization Leader who is currently Zentyal Team member Mateo Burillo. We strongly encourage you to become Language Leader if you are a native speaker! If you meet the conditions mentioned below, simply send an e-mail to Mateo at: mburillo at zentyal dot com.

Roles

Localization leader

Responsibilities:

  • Create the localization groups and nominate the original Language Leader (LL) and Quality Supervisor (QS).
  • Coordinate the team meetings.
  • Set the goals together with the team.
  • Maintain the associated wiki pages.
  • Maintain forum board.
  • Create localization mailing lists.
  • Solve group conflicts (LL or QS succession, consensus regarding goals or resources, etc...).

Language Leader (LL)

Responsibilities:

  • Guide the language team towards the translation goals.
  • Coordinate the Translators.
  • Define the glossary.
  • Maintain localization mailing lists.

Requirements:

Quality Supervisor (QS)

Responsibilities:

  • Review the general quality of the translation:
    • Naturalness of the expression.
    • Correction of concepts comparing with the original.
    • Completion and length of the messages.
  • Evaluate translations and inform the Localization Leader as soon as possible if erroneous data is detected.

Requirements:

Translator

Responsibilities:

  • Coordinate translation efforts with the LL.
  • Pay attention to the QS advice.

Requirements:

Organization

Team meetings

Team meetings will be held every quarter (every 3 months). These meetings will be held using IRC or similar IM technologies, the assistants are: Localization Leader and all the Language Leaders and Quality Supervisors. Translators attendance will be optional.

Main contents:

  • Define goals and translation milestones.
  • Discuss about the process and governance (discuss the rules present in this text).
  • Agree on infrastructures and resources (software, necessary promotion, materials, etc.) needed for the translation.
  • Team promotion and elections if applies.

Succession

Any person with any of the mentioned roles, can resign at any moment if they don't have time to perform their tasks or they consider that other person will do a better job.

Localization Leader succession: Will be voted every two years, every LL and QS will be electable and will have voice and vote.

LL and QS succession: Won't be explicitly voted. Will happen if:

  • If they resign.
  • If the Localization Leader or the majority of the group's official translators (listed as Official Contributors) consider it necessary.

You can download the .po files from our repository (every module under trunk/client and common/libebox has a po directory) and start contributing your translations.

You can find some guidelines for Spanish localization in Document/Localization/Spanish and Estonian in Document/Localization/Estonian. We strongly suggest our translators to write similar guidelines to assure the higher quality translations.