Proposal/Call for Volunteers: Polyglots Training Working Group

In the Polyglots Translator Research, many localesLocale Locale = language version, often a combination of a language code and a region code, for instance es_MX denotes Spanish as it’s used in Mexico. A list of all locales supported by WordPress in https://make.wordpress.org/polyglots/teams/ expressed a need to increase active translation contributors. In the Polyglots Team Plans for 2021 post, one suggestion to improve this is to create a course on becoming a translation editorTranslation Editor Translation editors can approve translations for projects. The GTE (General Translation Editor) and LM (Locale Manager) roles can add new users with the "Project Translation Editor" role that can approve translations for specific projects. There are two different Translation Editor roles: General Translation Editor and Project Translation Editor or localeLocale Locale = language version, often a combination of a language code and a region code, for instance es_MX denotes Spanish as it’s used in Mexico. A list of all locales supported by WordPress in https://make.wordpress.org/polyglots/teams/ manager.

With that in mind, I’d like to propose creating a working group of Polyglots contributors to develop a series of lessons or training resources for others in the Polyglots community. The classes may focus on basics – such as best practices for submitting translations – and community building topics, like setting priorities, finding new contributors, planning within a small or large team, and re-activating an inactive locale.

Goals: 

Current locale managers, GTEs, PTEs, and active translators have a lot of experience contributing to the Polyglots teamPolyglots Team Polyglots Team is a group of multilingual translators who work on translating plugins, themes, documentation, and front-facing marketing copy. https://make.wordpress.org/polyglots/teams/., how to mentor and onboard new contributors, and how to encourage leadership in others. It’s easy to overlook this knowledge since it often happens without even thinking. However, it is so valuable to building an active community for the long term.

Collecting this experience to share as a guide for contributors who would like to become more active in their local community can help reduce the current community’s workload. It also clearly shows new community members how they can progress and develop their goals for contribution.

How to help:

If others like the idea and are interested, there are two ways to help! First, it will be helpful to hear your thoughts and feedback on these questions:

  1. What topics would be the most helpful, both for new translators and for translation editorsTranslation Editor Translation editors can approve translations for projects. The GTE (General Translation Editor) and LM (Locale Manager) roles can add new users with the "Project Translation Editor" role that can approve translations for specific projects. There are two different Translation Editor roles: General Translation Editor and Project Translation Editor
  2. What is the best format for these training materials? (For example, Community is exploring a Learn WordPress course (video) for leadership skill training and has a text-based WordPress Community Deputy Training course.)
  3. Should the training materials be a global resource (in English) or translated?

Second, you can help by actually developing and creating these materials! Depending on the topics and format we decide on, I expect this to take two to three months to complete. You can contribute an hour or two each week by reviewing documentation or answering questions about your contribution experience. Or you can get more involved by planning and building the training materials. 

If you have feedback on the idea or are interested in working on this, please comment on the post by Tuesday, February 23, 2021.

Props/thanks to @tobifjellner and @nao for reviewing this post!

#polyglots-training