Roles and Capabilities

There are numerous ways to contribute 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/.. 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.org The platform for contributing to the translation of WordPress core, themes and plugins., RosettaRosetta The 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 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/ 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 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 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 bbPressbbPress Free, 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.

The contributor ladder

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 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 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.

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How to use the contributor ladder

The contributor ladder is a suggestion that may be helpful for teams. If you’d like to use this resource for your local team, you may:

  • Translate the image above, as well as portions (or all) of this page
  • Adapt the image to reflect your team’s structure better
  • Potentially add new roles, as well, if it’s an improvement to your team

You can translate the image above using this template from Canva, or this blank document.

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.

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Team roles and responsibilities

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Translator

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.

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Project Translation Editor

A Project Translation EditorProject Translation Editor A 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 Editor A 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 who has access to validate stringsString A string is a translatable part of the software. A translation consists of a multitude of localized strings. on a specific project (e.g. the BuddyPress 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, WordPress for iOSiOS The operating system used on iPhones and iPads. app, or Twenty Twenty theme) for one specific locale. 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.

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Super Project Translation Editor (Optional)

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 Editor A 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 Editor A 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..

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General Translation Editor

A 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. 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.

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Locale Manager

A Locale Manager 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

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Polyglots team representative

The team representativeTeam Representative The 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 Rep A 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. 

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Global Mentor

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 internationalizationInternationalization Internationalization (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 CoreCore Core is the set of software required to run WordPress. The Core Development Team builds WordPress. development process with locale teams. 

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Cross-Locale Project Translation Editor

A Cross-Locale Project Translation EditorCross-locale Project Translation Editor A 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 Editor A 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 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/, 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.

A manually maintained list of current CLPTE’s is located at https://make.wordpress.org/polyglots/teams/clpte-list/

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Other roles

Polyglots’ work often extends beyond translation and localizationLocalization Localization (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.
  • MeetupMeetup All 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 WordCampWordCamp WordCamps 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 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. 
  • Local forms of communication, including local SlackSlack Slack is a Collaborative Group Chat Platform https://slack.com/. The WordPress community has its own Slack Channel at https://make.wordpress.org/chat/. instances and/or chat groups to help contributors communicate and coordinate with one another.

As you explore your local contributor journey, it can be helpful to see where these roles connect and overlap with your translation needs.

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Overview of user roles and permissions

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translate.wordpress.org user roles

Global MentorLocale ManagerGTEPTECLPTEContributor
Moderate all translations for a localeYESYESYES
Moderate translations for a project in a localeYESYESYESYES
Moderate translations for a project in all localesYES*
Suggest translationsYES
Import translation file as “Current” statusYESYESYESYESYES
Import translation file as “Waiting” statusYESYESYESYESYESYES

CLPTEs can approve and reject translations for strings without Current translations already approved by a PTE or GTE.

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Local sites (Rosetta) user roles

Locale Manager

  • all capabilities of a pre-defined editor role
  • add/promote/remove users
  • add/remove Translation Editors
  • release WordPress packages

Editor

Author

Contributor

Subscriber

Polyglots Global MentorLocale Manager
Admin all Rosetta sitesYES
Assign CLPTEsYES
Admin a locale Rosetta siteYESYES
Assign LMs for a localeYESYES
Assign other roles for locale site (editor, etc.)YESYES
Assign PTEs for a localeYESYES
Assign GTEs for a localeYESYES

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Team site user roles

An example of a “team site” is https://fr.wordpress.org/team/, which also contains a handbook section like https://fr.wordpress.org/team/handbook/.

Locale managers of the parent Rosetta site of a team site have an Editor role unless the role is explicitly removed.

Editor

  • all capabilities of a pre-defined editor role
  • add/promote/remove users
  • change theme settings

Author

Contributor

Subscriber

Global MentorLocale ManagerGTEPTEContributor
Moderate postsYES
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/.YESYESYES
Add usersYESYES

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Locale forums user roles

Keymaster

  • add/edit/remove forums, topics and posts
  • open/close topics
  • stick/unstick topics
  • promote/demote users
  • edit users’ profile

Moderator

  • add/edit/remove topics and posts
  • open/close topics
  • stick/unstick topics
  • edit own profile

Member

  • add topics and posts
  • read forums/topics/posts
  • 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 MentorLocale Forum AdminLocale Forum ModeratorForum Moderator Forum 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.
Moderate a locale forumYESYESYES
Assign locale forum adminYESYES
Assign locale forum moderatorYESYES

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Other

Polyglots Global MentorLocale ManagerGTEPTECLPTEWP.org User
Host a weekly meeting on Make WordPress SlackYESYESYESYESYESYES
Polyglots table lead at Contributor DayContributor Day Contributor Days are standalone days, frequently held before or after WordCamps but they can also happen at any time. They are events where people get together to work on various areas of https://make.wordpress.org/ There are many teams that people can participate in, each with a different focus. https://2017.us.wordcamp.org/contributor-day/ https://make.wordpress.org/support/handbook/getting-started/getting-started-at-a-contributor-day/.YESYESYESYES
Spotting plugins and themes that use not-very-translatable-stringsYESYESYESYESYESYES

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