Welcome to the official blog of the translator team for the WordPress open sourceOpen SourceOpen Source denotes software for which the original source code is made freely available and may be redistributed and modified. Open Source **must be** delivered via a licensing model, see GPL. project. This is where we discuss all things related to translating WordPress. Follow our progress for general updates, status reports, and debates.
We’d love for you to help out!
Translate WordPress
You can help translate WordPress to your language by logging in to the translation platform with your WordPress.orgWordPress.orgThe community site where WordPress code is created and shared by the users. This is where you can download the source code for WordPress core, plugins and themes as well as the central location for community conversations and organization. https://wordpress.org/ account and suggesting translations (more details).
We have meetings every week on SlackSlackSlack is a Collaborative Group Chat Platform https://slack.com/. The WordPress community has its own Slack Channel at https://make.wordpress.org/chat/. in polyglots (the schedule is on the sidebarSidebarA sidebar in WordPress is referred to a widget-ready area used by WordPress themes to display information that is not a part of the main content. It is not always a vertical column on the side. It can be a horizontal rectangle below or above the content area, footer, header, or any where in the theme. of this page). You are also welcome to ask questions on the same channel at any time!
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There are numerous ways to contribute to the Polyglots teamPolyglots TeamPolyglots 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/.. Contributions can be local and global, and anywhere from translation to overseeing translation quality.
On this page, you’ll find a description of:
Roles and expectations for global and local Polyglots teams
User roles and permissions on translate.wordpress.orgtranslate.wordpress.orgThe platform for contributing to the translation of WordPress core, themes and plugins., RosettaRosettaThe code name of the theme for the local WordPress sites (eg. bg.wordpress.org is a “Rosetta” site). All locale specific WordPress sites are referred to as “Rosetta sites.” The name was inspired from the ancient Rosetta Stone, which contained more or less the same text in three different languages. sites, team sites, and local forums
User roles on localeLocaleLocale = 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/ sites are similar to pre-defined WordPress roles. On locale sites, some additional capabilities are added to the Editor role and an additional Translation EditorTranslation EditorTranslation 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 role is available. Translation Editor is a complementary role that can be assigned to Editors, Authors, Contributors, and/or Subscribers.
Locale forums are running on bbPressbbPressFree, open source software built on top of WordPress for easily creating forums on sites. https://bbpress.org. and have a different set of roles and capabilities.
A contributor ladder generally shows how it may look for a contributor to progress over time. This can be a useful tool for:
new translators to understand how to grow in their role as Polyglots contributors
translation editorsTranslation EditorTranslation 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 to think through ways to keep community members engaged
general translation editors or locale managers to create clearer expectations within their teams
As a general guide, the Polyglots contributor ladder often looks like this.
While it may seem obvious, sharing this contributor ladder is valuable for new contributors to understand how to grow within their role. For example, additional mentorship roles can help new contributors seek mentorship and experienced contributors develop skills as they teach others.
This is not “one size fits all.” Each locale team will have its own needs, depending on size, local customs, and interest. You are encouraged to use only what helps and revisit your local contributor ladder regularly to ensure your team structure supports your goals.
Translator is typically how most, if not all, Polyglots contributors begin. Translators are the volunteers that translate projects into their language. Translation contributors can suggest translations to any project that then need to be verified by a translation editor.
Since all contributions (including validation of translation) are based on voluntary work, some localesLocaleLocale = 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/ (target languages) have large backlogs of pending stringsStringA string is a translatable part of the software. A translation consists of a multitude of localized strings.. The current number of waiting strings for each locale can be seen in https://translate.wordpress.org/stats/. The preferred way to deal with this is for the translator to contact the Polyglots’ team for their locale to get feedback on the translations and perhaps get promoted to PTE. Therefore, strings suggested by an active and reachable individual contributor have larger chances of being approved, than automatically generated translations of low quality, semi-anonymously uploaded by a developer.
A Project Translation EditorProject Translation EditorA Project Translation Editor (often referred to as PTE) is a person, who has access to validate strings on a specific project (for example BuddyPress, WooCommerce or Twenty Fourteen) for one specific locale. A project translation editor can approve strings that are added by translation contributors. Per project translation, editors are appointed by a general translation editor after a request by the project author or by the contributors themselves. (PTEProject Translation EditorA Project Translation Editor (often referred to as PTE) is a person, who has access to validate strings on a specific project (for example BuddyPress, WooCommerce or Twenty Fourteen) for one specific locale. A project translation editor can approve strings that are added by translation contributors. Per project translation, editors are appointed by a general translation editor after a request by the project author or by the contributors themselves.) is a person (i.e. an individual contributor) who has access to validate strings on a specific project (e.g. the BuddyPress pluginPluginA 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, WordPress for iOSiOSThe operating system used on iPhones and iPads. app, or Twenty Twenty theme) for one specific locale (e.g. Hungarian). A PTE can translate and approve translation suggestions that are added by translation contributors to the project for which they’re an editor. PTEs are appointed by a General Translation Editor after a request by the project author or by the contributors themselves. In most cases, this request is made directly within each locale team, but can also be made as a post on the team blog https://make.wordpress.org/polyglots/.
A Super Project Translation Editor (Super PTE) is an optional role. It refers to a person who has access to validate strings on a specific group of projects, such as all Plugins or Themes, for a specific locale. Super PTEs can translate and review suggested translations to any project within the group of projects for which they’re an editor. A General Translation EditorGeneral Translation EditorA General Translation Editor (often referred to as GTE) is a person, who has global access to validate strings on all projects for a specific locale. must appoint a Super PTE. While not all locale teams use this role, it can be helpful for teams wishing to allow consistent and committed contributors to build experience before becoming a GTEGeneral Translation EditorA General Translation Editor (often referred to as GTE) is a person, who has global access to validate strings on all projects for a specific locale..
A General Translation Editor (often referred to as GTE) is a person (i.e. an individual contributor role) who has global access to validate strings on all projects for a specific locale.GTEs are promoted by a Locale Manager for the same locale. If there are no active GTEs for the locale, a new GTE can be appointed by a Polyglots Global Mentor after a request on make.wordpress.org/polyglots.
GTEs typically act as community leaders in their locale. Depending on the size of the locale and number of GTEs, they may decide to prioritize and divide tasks, such as the following:
Translation consistency and quality
Community building
Documentation, e.g. locale handbooks or translating support documentation
Marketing, e.g. promoting local events or translating /news posts
It may be helpful for locale teams to decide if they want to divide these roles. For example, a large locale team may wish to have one GTE focused on community building while two others are focused on translation reviews and feedback. This can help to divide tasks and allow for other contributors to grow into different types of leadership roles based on interest and experience.
A Locale Manager is an individual contributor role, who is often responsible for many of the same tasks as GTEs. In addition, Locale Managers are also responsible for:
Generally maintaining and assisting with access to the local Rosetta site
Appointing new GTEs
Assisting with package releases for new versions of WordPress
The team representativeTeam RepresentativeThe Polyglots team rep is responsible for communicating both directions for the polyglots team. That is, they communicate to other teams what’s happening with the polyglots team and communicate back to the polyglots team what’s happening with other teams, especially core role – often shortened to team repTeam RepA Team Rep is a person who represents the Make WordPress team to the rest of the project, make sure issues are raised and addressed as needed, and coordinates cross-team efforts. – is an annual position on the global Polyglots team. Team reps act as liaisons between the Polyglots contributor team and the rest of the WordPress project. Nominations typically open at the end of the year. Historically, team reps have often led weekly Polyglots meetings and coordinated with one another to share important information relevant to the global Polyglots team.
A Polyglots Global Mentor is a role on the global Polyglots team. There are two sub-roles within the Global Mentor role:
Global Mentor
Tech Lead
Global Mentors are typically responsible for mentoring the Polyglots contributor team on a high-level through tasks such as:
triaging requests on the Make/Polyglots blog
removing obstacles to contribution, e.g. providing editor access when a translation team is inactive
conflict resolution
general advice on best practices for translators, editors, and developers
Tech Leads help with the technical aspects of translating WordPress and related projects. This may include helping troubleshoot issues with translate.wordpress.org, general best practices for internationalizationInternationalizationInternationalization (sometimes shortened to I18N , meaning “I - eighteen letters -N”) is the process of planning and implementing products and services so that they can easily be adapted to specific local languages and cultures, a process called localization. This is the process of making software translatable. Information about Internationalization for developers can be found in the Developer’s handbooks., and often acting as a liaison to share relevant information on the CoreCoreCore is the set of software required to run WordPress. The Core Development Team builds WordPress. development process with locale teams.
A Cross-Locale Project Translation EditorCross-locale Project Translation EditorA Cross-Locale Project Translation Editor is an account owned by a plugin or theme author (or the authoring organization), which uses professional translators to localize their product. The cross-locale project translation editor can import/validate strings on a specific project for more than one locale. This role has the same capabilities as a Project Translation Editor over multiple locales instead of one. Cross-Locale Project Translation Editors need to meet a set of criteria before being appointed by General Translation Editors. (CLPTECross-locale Project Translation EditorA Cross-Locale Project Translation Editor is an account owned by a plugin or theme author (or the authoring organization), which uses professional translators to localize their product. The cross-locale project translation editor can import/validate strings on a specific project for more than one locale. This role has the same capabilities as a Project Translation Editor over multiple locales instead of one. Cross-Locale Project Translation Editors need to meet a set of criteria before being appointed by General Translation Editors.) is an administrative function that can be assigned to a special account owned by a plugin or theme author (or the authoring organization), which uses professional translators to localize their product. The CLPTE can import strings on their specific projects for all locales, but doesn’t have access to review/accept/reject other users’ strings. CLPTEs need to meet a set of criteria before being appointed by a Global Mentor.
Since a CLPTE just administrates translations, the translation quality must be assured by the translator. Therefore, the following should be observed:
Polyglots’ work often extends beyond translation and localizationLocalizationLocalization (sometimes shortened to "l10n") is the process of adapting a product or service to a particular language, culture, and desired local "look-and-feel.". In many communities, the local translation community is also directly tied to support and forums, Meetups and other WordPress-related events, and generally building the local WordPress community.
Other related roles and responsibilities to keep in mind include:
Locale documentation to build out the local Handbook, guides, and information for contributors to that specific language.
MeetupMeetupAll local/regional gatherings that are officially a part of the WordPress world but are not WordCamps are organized through https://www.meetup.com/. A meetup is typically a chance for local WordPress users to get together and share new ideas and seek help from one another. Searching for ‘WordPress’ on meetup.com will help you find options in your area. and/or WordCampWordCampWordCamps are casual, locally-organized conferences covering everything related to WordPress. They're one of the places where the WordPress community comes together to teach one another what they’ve learned throughout the year and share the joy. Learn more. organizers, who can help to recruit new contributors or introduce new contributors to best practices and processes, especially at events like Contributor Days.
Other Make team roles and contributions, such as Docs, Marketing, Training, and WordPress.tv. For example, some locales have a community member contributing directly to the Training team to help with localizing existing Learn WordPress content or helping to create new tutorials in their language.
Review PTE requests on P2p2"p2" is the name of the theme that blogs at make.wordpress.org use (and o2 is the accompanying plugin). When asked to post something "on the p2" by a member of the Polyglots team, that usually means you're asked to post on the team blog https://make.wordpress.org/polyglots/.
edit own posts for up to 35 minutes from the time of submission
edit own profile
Inactive
read forums/topics/posts
change own password
Blocked
No capabilities (only applies to that particular locale)
Global Mentor
Locale Forum Admin
Locale Forum ModeratorForum ModeratorForum Moderators are active contributors who moderate their local support forums. Generally, these contributors get the permission to moderate from a forum admin of their language after contributing to the forums for a while. Moderators can be added by the local forum admins or the Polyglots team leads.