Experiment: Translation Review Assistance from ChatGPT

For PTEs and GTEs we have added a review assistance feature for waiting and fuzzy stringsString A string is a translatable part of the software. A translation consists of a multitude of localized strings. on translate.wordpress.orgtranslate.wordpress.org The platform for contributing to the translation of WordPress core, themes and plugins..

If you have set an OpenAI key saved in your translation settings, we’ll ask ChatGPT:

For the english text “Original StringString A string is a translatable part of the software. A translation consists of a multitude of localized strings.“, is “Suggested Translation” a correct translation in language?

For strings that contain words that are already in the 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/ glossary, we also pass the locale glossary for those words to ChatGPT as a system prompt.

For example, an original string in French that has contains the word “browser” which is translated as “navigateur” in the fr locale glossary. The system prompt is given as;

You are required to follow these rules, where ‘browser’ is translated as ‘navigateur’ when it is a noun for words in the English text you are translating.

It is important to note that this feature is not meant to replace the valuable review performed by our skilled PTEs and GTEs, who are native speakers and possess extensive expertise in the language.

Rather, the purpose is to complement their efforts and streamline their workflow, allowing them to work more efficiently and effectively.

For example, if a minor detail was changed in a longer original string, it can be hard to ensure that the translation still correctly represents the original text.

See it in action below:

Here are some examples of reviews that we received from ChatGPT:

Yes, “ActivityPub PluginPlugin A plugin is a piece of software containing a group of functions that can be added to a WordPress website. They can extend functionality or add new features to your WordPress websites. WordPress plugins are written in the PHP programming language and integrate seamlessly with WordPress. These can be free in the WordPress.org Plugin Directory https://wordpress.org/plugins/ or can be cost-based plugin from a third-party” is a correct translation in German as well. The word “Plugin” is commonly used in German as well, especially in the context of software and technology. Therefore, “ActivityPub Plugin” would be easily understood by German speakers.

The translation is mostly correct, but to follow the rules mentioned earlier, the translation should be: “Du kannst dein Netzwerk erweitern, indem du dich auf Websites <a href=%1$s>anmeldest</a>, <a href=%1$s>Freundschaftsanfragen sendest</a> oder <a href=%2$s>erhaltene Freundschaftsanfragen beantwortest</a>.

Please share in the comments ChatGPT reviews that you thought were useful (or not!), thank you!