Version at: 28/03/2020, 17:13

# UI Translation - FAQ

The user interface (UI) for Tatoeba is available in several dozen languages. You can select from them by using the drop-down list in the upper right-hand corner of any Tatoeba page. We use the Transifex platform to coordinate the translations from English (the source language) into other languages. This page addresses questions asked about this work.

**1. What's Transifex?**

Transifex is the platform we use to translate the UI - [https://www.transifex.com/](https://www.transifex.com/). You can register there for free.

**2. How can I join Tatoeba there?**

Once you register on Transifex, browse for Tatoeba or follow this link: [https://www.transifex.com/tatoeba/tatoeba_website/dashboard/](https://www.transifex.com/tatoeba/tatoeba_website/dashboard/). It'll redirect you to this page:

![localization activity](/media/get/localization_activity.png)

From there, choose the team(s) / (language(s)) you'd like to translate into.

**3. What if my language is not there?**

Email Ricardo at **ricardo14@tatoeba.org**. He'll check whether your language is supported by Transifex or not, add you to the team(s) and keep you updated. In your email, please tell him your username on Transifex and the language(s) you want to translate into.

**4. What's the source language?**

English.

**5. How do I translate the UI once I'm accepted?**

Once you're accepted, click on the **"Translate"** button at the top right of the page. It'll open a page like this:

![select resource](/media/get/select_resource.png)

As you might have noticed, there are four categories of strings:

*admin.pot* - What'll be displayed to admins

*countries.pt* - List of all countries in the world (as used in contributors' profiles

*default.pot* - All strings used on the website, such as "Wall" or "Add sentences".

*languages.pot* - Used whenever we should choose a language to translate from/into, languages a user should add on his/her profile, etc. It lists all languages Tatoeba supports.

Once you've clicked on any them, you'll see something like this:

![sample resource](/media/get/sample_resource.png)

If you want to check **untranslated strings**, please make sure you've clicked over "untranslated"


**6.  What register should I use? (Colloquial, Formal...)**

Formal but friendly (we don't want new users feeling uncomfortable (same for "old" users)).

**7. When does Tatoeba get updated?**

Tatoeba gets updated whenever a new feature is released, a new language is supported. It's highly recommended you check Transifex once a week at least. 

**8. Is there a way to check how is my translation being "displayed"?**

Yes. You should visit [Dev Tatoeba](https://dev.tatoeba.org/eng/). For now, translations are updated at :00 and at :30 (like 10:00, 10:30, 11:00, 11:30... 17:30,18:00, etc)


**9. I can't translate a string because it lacks context. What should I do?**

*As for March 26, 2020, this is the "for now" solution*

a) Make sure that there's one on "comments" (below, right side)
b) In case there's not, contact [Ricardo14](https://tatoeba.org/eng/user/profile/Ricardo14) - ricardo14@tatoeba.org. He'll give you some hints and somehow add a context soon.

**10. Is there a forum where I can ask for help from people who translate into the same language as I do?**

Sure. [Forum](https://www.transifex.com/tatoeba/teams/28284/discussions/) . You can access by clicking on a "ballon" on Tatoeba page on Transifex. Please, have a look here - [https://tatoeba.org/eng/wall/show_message/34581#!#message_34581](https://tatoeba.org/eng/wall/show_message/34581#!#message_34581) to get some info.

Also, we have a group on Telegram **(non-official). You just need to install the app in your phone and browse for "Tatoeba" or follow this link: [https://t.me/tatoebatelegram](https://t.me/tatoebatelegram)

**11. I can't translate a sentence. It seems to be locked. What should I do:?**

Probably this translation has been marked as "reviewed" and therefore it can't be changed. If you do not agree or would like to suggest an improvement, contact [Ricardo14](https://tatoeba.org/eng/user/profile/Ricardo14) - ricardo14@tatoeba.org and visit the  [Forum](https://www.transifex.com/tatoeba/teams/28284/discussions/)

As we've said before, this article will be updated from time to time. If you have any question, please contact him [on Tatoeba](https://tatoeba.org/eng/user/profile/Ricardo14) or email him at ricardo14@tatoeba.org.

  [1]: https://prntscr.com/rmy2kr
  [2]: /media/get/select_resource.png
  [3]: /media/get/sample_resource.png

version at: 28/03/2020, 17:25

# UI Translation - FAQ

The user interface (UI) for Tatoeba is available in several dozen languages. You can select from them by using the drop-down list in the upper right-hand corner of any Tatoeba page. We use the Transifex platform to coordinate the translations from English (the source language) into other languages. This page addresses questions asked about this work.

**1. What's Transifex?**

Transifex is the platform we use to translate the UI - [https://www.transifex.com/](https://www.transifex.com/). You can register there for free.

**2. How can I join Tatoeba there?**

Once you register on Transifex, browse for Tatoeba or follow this link: [https://www.transifex.com/tatoeba/tatoeba_website/dashboard/](https://www.transifex.com/tatoeba/tatoeba_website/dashboard/). It'll redirect you to this page:

![localization activity](/media/get/localization_activity.png)

From there, choose the team(s) / (language(s)) you'd like to translate into.

**3. What if my language is not there?**

Email Ricardo at **ricardo14@tatoeba.org**. He'll check whether your language is supported by Transifex or not, add you to the team(s) and keep you updated. In your email, please tell him your username on Transifex and the language(s) you want to translate into.

**4. What's the source language?**

English.

**5. How do I translate the UI once I'm accepted?**

Once you're accepted, click on the **"Translate"** button at the top right of the page. It'll open a page like this:

![select resource](/media/get/select_resource.png)

As you might have noticed, there are four categories of strings:

*admin.pot* - What'll be displayed to admins

*countries.pt* - List of all countries in the world (as used in contributors' profiles

*default.pot* - All strings used on the website, such as "Wall" or "Add sentences".

*languages.pot* - Used whenever we should choose a language to translate from/into, languages a user should add on his/her profile, etc. It lists all languages Tatoeba supports.

Once you've clicked on any them, you'll see something like this:

![sample resource](/media/get/sample_resource.png)

If you want to check **untranslated strings**, please make sure you've clicked on "untranslated".


**6.  Should I use formal or informal language?**

Use formal but friendly language. Try to match the level of formality of the English.

**7. When do the Tatoeba English strings get updated?**

Tatoeba gets updated whenever there is a change to the UI, or a new language is supported. It's highly recommended you check Transifex at least once a week. 

**8. Is there a way to check how my translation is being "displayed"?**

Yes. You should visit [the Tatoeba development website "TatoDev"](https://dev.tatoeba.org/eng/). For now, translations are updated every thirty minutes on the hour and thirty minutes later (10:00, 10:30, 11:00, and so on).

**9. I can't translate a string because I don't know the context. What should I do?**

a) Look in "comments" (below, right side) to see whether the context has been described.
b) If there is none, contact [Ricardo14](https://tatoeba.org/eng/user/profile/Ricardo14) - ricardo14@tatoeba.org. He'll give you some hints and add a comment.

**10. Is there a forum where I can ask for help from people who translate into the same language as I do?**

Sure: [Forum](https://www.transifex.com/tatoeba/teams/28284/discussions/) . You can access it by clicking on a "balloon" on the Tatoeba page on Transifex. See [https://tatoeba.org/eng/wall/show_message/34581#!#message_34581](https://tatoeba.org/eng/wall/show_message/34581#!#message_34581) to get some information.

Also, we have a group on Telegram **(non-official). You just need to install the app on your phone and browse for "Tatoeba" or follow this link: [https://t.me/tatoebatelegram](https://t.me/tatoebatelegram)

**11. I can't translate a sentence. It seems to be locked. What should I do:?**

Probably this translation has been marked as "reviewed" and therefore it can't be changed. If you think it should be changed, contact [Ricardo14](https://tatoeba.org/eng/user/profile/Ricardo14) via a private message at Tatoeba or via his e-mail address (ricardo14@tatoeba.org), or visit the  [Forum](https://www.transifex.com/tatoeba/teams/28284/discussions/).

If you have any questions, please contact Ricardo14 [on Tatoeba](https://tatoeba.org/eng/user/profile/Ricardo14) or email him at ricardo14@tatoeba.org.

Note

The lines in green are the lines that have been added in the new version. The lines in red are those that have been removed.

Actions

• History
• Revert to version made the 28/03/2020, 17:13
• Go back to article's page