Tor: Translation Overview


All translation projects can be found at https://www.transifex.com/projects/p/torproject/.

The Tor bundles include several different programs, all of which need translation help. In order of importance they are: Torbutton, and TorCheck. You can also help translate Torbutton, Orbot, and GetTor.

Please read the sections below and help out. If you need help, please ask; we're always happy to lend a hand.

Using Transifex


Transifex is a website that lets users contribute translations online using their web browser. A project may have many files that can be translated. In transifex, these files are called resources. Transifex lists all sentences or phrases (called "strings") used by a particular resource, and allows interested volunteers to translate individual sentences or phrases as they are able.

You can check the status of all translations for a given resource by visiting each resource page. All statuses are updated in real time when new translations are added.

To get started with Transifex, you need to sign up for an account. Visit the account registration page to get started. Be sure to enter a proper email address and a strong password. Once that's done, click on the resource you wish to translate, choose your language and click the "Translate Now" button. Transifex will allow you to lock a translation to notify others that you are working on it. You can also download the po file, translate it offline and upload it when you are finished.

Transifex supports automatic translations using the Google Translate API (which currently supports 50-something languages). If the language you are working on is supported by the Google Translate API, you will see a yellow lightning bolt on the left side of the text field (on mouseover).

If you're able, please translate the strings you see and click the 'Save All' button at the bottom of the page. If you're unsure, click the 'Suggestions' button (visible when you move the mouse over the text area). Feel free to leave comments for any of the translations if you feel it's important to clarify anything.

For more advanced users who like to translate without a web browser, you can also download the .po file directly. You'll find this option after clicking on a resource name and a language. If this option fits your working habits, by all means, please use it! You may find a program called Poedit to make the job easier, especially for right-to-left languages that don't work as well in text editors. If you're using Poedit, you should disable compiling .mo files in Poedit's preferences (File -> Preferences -> Editor -> Behavior, uncheck "Automatically compile .mo file on save"). When you're finished translating the .po file, you can upload it by clicking on the resource name of the file you translated, choosing your language and clicking on "Upload file" button.

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