General Expectations for Localized Sites

Translating WordPress is a big responsibility. Distributing a localized version on WordPress, hosted on WordPress.orgWordPress.org The 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/, is a bigger responsibility. Because WordPress in your language may be downloaded by millions of people all over the world, there are certain expectations 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/. has before giving you a 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/-specific WordPress.org subdomain.

What is a Rosetta site? What about forums?

A “Rosetta” site is a localized version of WordPress.org that serves as the entry page for users of your locale. Each 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. site consists of the following pieces:

  • A front page with included download link at [locale].WordPress.org
  • A blog
  • A showcase featuring WordPress sites in your language
  • A contact page
  • Other pages as needed

Optionally, if your locale meets certain requirements, you may request localized forums.

Local WordPress.org Sites, aka Rosetta sites

Rosetta sites work best when they have been translated into the language they represent. That’s why your first job as an editor of a new locale is to prepare your Rosetta site for people who speak your language, but don’t speak English.

Top ↑

Expectations for Rosetta Sites

Some links to third-party (external) community sites, such as local community sites and links to community support forums (until that feature is added for your locale on WordPress.org) are accepted practice. In the best interest of the WordPress project, additional expectations are listed here:

  1. Rosetta sites are expected to benefit the WordPress community rather than specific business(es) or individual(s). (Note the general expectations for translating WordPress.)
  2. To avoid any conflict of interest, it’s expected that validators and translators will not use their own sites as examples of good WordPress sites in their showcase.  The WordPress community is large and examples of WordPress sites are very easy to find.
  3. Rosetta sites are expected to not include advertising and affiliate marketing and to link only to websites that benefit the local community. Rosetta sites can not link to websites containing advertising for businesses or individuals.

Top ↑

Recommendations for Rosetta Sites

Here are some general best practices when it comes to managing your local site:

  • Translate your local site’s interface.
  • Add a page about Translating WordPress in your language with a link to the development project on Translate.WordPress.orgtranslate.wordpress.org The platform for contributing to the translation of WordPress core, themes and plugins.. Some teams include guidelines for translating in that particular language and links to the Glossary of  common terms.
  • Encourage people to join the translation team and point them to the WordPress Polyglots communication channels (Make.WordPress.org/polyglots or Slack).
  • To avoid receiving a lot of support requests through the contact form, add a text on top of the page in your language, specifically explaining that support requests will not receive an answer.
  • Use the blog to announce WordPress releases in your language or local WordPress community events. The blog content of every Rosetta site appears in the News Feed in the administration of every site that has switched to that language.

If you’re unsure if a site meets the above expectations, ask on the make/polyglots P2.

Last updated: