Version at: 28/03/2020, 17:30

# 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?**

Look in "comments" (below, right side) to see whether the context has been described. If there are no comments, contact Ricardo14 (see bottom of page). 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. See the [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 more information.

Also, we have a non-offical group on Telegram. 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 (see bottom of page).

## Resources for further questions

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

Alternatively, visit the  [Forum](https://www.transifex.com/tatoeba/teams/28284/discussions/).

version at: 28/03/2020, 17:35

# 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?**

Contact Ricardo. (See [Resources for futher questions](#resources-for-further-questions) below.) 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* - Strings displayed only to admins.

*countries.pot* - 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 half-hour (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?**

Look in "comments" (below, right side) to see whether the context has been described. If there are no comments, contact Ricardo. (See [Resources for futher questions](#resources-for-further-questions) below.) He'll give you some hints and add a comment to the string.

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

Sure. See the [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 more information.

Also, we have a non-offical group on Telegram. 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 (see bottom of page).

## Resources for further questions

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

Alternatively, visit the  [Forum](https://www.transifex.com/tatoeba/teams/28284/discussions/).

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, 17:30
• Go back to article's page