Translations

This text primarily focuses on translations from 🇬🇧 English to 🇸🇪 Swedish, but most of the information is useful for anyone translating open source, regardless of language.

On Itiquette, you’ll find forks of several GitHub projects that are being translated into Swedish. There’s also a discussion forum dedicated to translation work and best practices.

Swedish translations managed here#

Translation of programs and texts#

For beginners in program translation, it can be difficult to know where to start. There is no single, common portal where all translations take place - instead, the work is performed across various communities and projects. So, if you’re interested in translating free and open software, this page provides you with links to a variety of projects to get started with.

Only for Swedes - TP-SV: Bookmark this, it’s a Swedish traditional mailing list with a long history. Although it primarily focuses on projects from Translation Project, the members are happy to provide feedback on almost any Swedish translation. Perfect for beginners who need guidance or have questions. Examples: GNU Coreutils, GNU Grep, GNU Tar, Wget, Nano editor

🌐 But, why should you translate?#

Read this post and see if it convinces you.

The following is a list of prominent projects that need help.

Translation Platforms#

These platforms host multiple projects and provide tools specifically designed for translation work:

• Transifex: A translation platform hosting thousands of projects.
  Examples: VLC Media Player, GIMP, OBS Studio, Krita, Nextcloud
• Weblate: An open source-based translation platform with a clean interface. Smaller than Transifex.
  Examples: phpMyAdmin, FreeCAD, Godot Engine, Jellyfin, calibre
• Translation Project: One of the oldest coordination efforts for translation, primarily focused on GNU and other central free software.
  Examples: GNU Coreutils, GNU Grep, GNU Tar, Wget, Nano editor
• Crowdin: Translation platform hosting many large projects.
  Examples: OBS Studio, LineageOS, Pi-hole, Ventoy, Mastodon

Operating Systems and Desktop Environments#

Linux Distributions#

• Debian: Statistics and information about translation needs within the Debian ecosystem. Debian influences many other distributions like Ubuntu and Linux Mint.
  Examples: APT package manager, Debian Installer, Debian documentation, package descriptions
• Ubuntu: This guide explains how to join the Ubuntu translator community. However, many Ubuntu components are translated upstream in projects like GNOME or Debian.
  Examples: Ubuntu Software Center, Ubuntu Settings, Ubuntu documentation, Ubiquity installer
• Fedora Weblate: Translation platform for Fedora Linux and related projects. Good starting point for Red Hat-related translations.
  Examples: Fedora Workstation, Fedora documentation, DNF package manager, Anaconda installer
• openSUSE: Translation platform for this Linux distribution, with instructions to get started.
  Examples: YaST installer, openSUSE documentation, distribution-specific tools
• Linux Mint: For translation of Linux Mint-specific components. Examples: Mint Menu, Mint Update Manager, Mint Welcome Screen, Cinnamon-specific components
• Elementary OS: Translation portal for this Linux distribution.
  Examples: Pantheon desktop environment, AppCenter, System Settings, elementary apps
• Arch Linux Wiki: Although not a traditional translation platform, the Arch Wiki welcomes translations of its extensive documentation into several languages.
  Examples: Installation guides, software configuration tutorials, troubleshooting guides
• Tails Documentation: Translate documentation for this privacy-centered Linux distribution.
  Examples: Installation guides, security documentation, usage tutorials
• LineageOS: Translation portal for the Android distribution.
  Examples: System UI, settings menu, built-in apps

Desktop Environments#

• GNOME - Damned Lies: Translation portal for the popular GNOME desktop environment and its applications. Examples: GNOME Shell, GNOME Files (Nautilus), GNOME Calendar, Evince document viewer, GNOME Software
• KDE: The KDE desktop environment and its rich ecosystem. Includes good documentation for beginners.
  Examples: KDE Plasma desktop, Dolphin file manager, Konsole terminal, Okular document viewer, Kdenlive video editor
• XFCE Translation Project: Translate this lightweight and user-friendly desktop environment and its applications.
  Examples: XFCE Panel, Thunar file manager, XFCE Terminal, Mousepad text editor
• LXDE: Guide for translating this lightweight desktop environment. Examples: PCManFM file manager, LXPanel, LXTerminal, LXSession, LXDE settings
• Enlightenment: Translation portal for this distinctive desktop environment and window manager.
  Examples: Enlightenment window manager, EFL libraries, Terminology terminal emulator

Major Project Categories#

Internet and Communication#

• Mozilla l10n: Firefox and other Mozilla projects are translated.
  Examples: Firefox browser, Thunderbird email client, Firefox Mobile, Firefox Monitor, Mozilla VPN
• Matrix.org Translation: Matrix protocol and Element client.
  Examples: Element messenger interface, room settings, encryption explanations
• Signal Desktop: Privacy-focused messaging application.
  Examples: Chat interface, settings menu, security notifications
• DuckDuckGo Community Translation: Privacy-focused search engine.
  Examples: Search interface, settings pages, privacy explanations
• Mastodon: Translate this decentralized social media platform.
  Examples: User interface, settings pages, moderation tools
• Jitsi Meet: Translate this open source video conferencing platform.
  Examples: Meeting controls, settings menu, chat interface, welcome screens
• PeerTube: Translate this decentralized video platform.
  Examples: Video player interface, channel management, moderation tools

Office and Productivity Tools#

• LibreOffice: office suite.
  Examples: Writer, Calc, Impress, Draw, Base, Math components and help files
• Calibre: e-book management. Examples: Interface elements, format conversion options, library management tools
• NextCloud: file sharing and collaboration suite.
  Examples: NextCloud Files, Calendar, Contacts, Tasks apps and administrator interface
• CryptPad: collaboration suite. Examples: Document editor, spreadsheet, presentation tools, administrator interface
• Zim Desktop Wiki: wiki software.
  Examples: Editor interface, plugin descriptions, format options
• Etherpad: collaborative document editors.
  Examples: Editor interface, pad settings, plugin descriptions

Multimedia#

• Blender Translation Project: Translate this 3D creation suite used by artists, animators, and game developers worldwide.
  Examples: Blender UI, documentation, add-ons, Cycles rendering engine terminology
• Inkscape Translation: Contribute to localizing this popular vector graphics editor.
  Examples: UI elements, tool descriptions, SVG filter names, documentation
• OBS Studio: Translation project for this popular open source streaming and recording software.
  Examples: Interface elements, encoding settings, filter descriptions
• Audacity Translation: Translate this widely used open source audio editing software.
  Examples: Interface elements, effect descriptions, editing tools, settings
• HandBrake Translation: Contribute to localizing this popular open source video transcoder.
  Examples: UI elements, encoding presets, filter descriptions, documentation
• VLC Media Player: Translate this extremely popular cross-platform media player.
  Examples: Player interface, playlist management, settings pages, media information

Development Tools#

• Git Documentation: Translate documentation for the well-used version control system.
  Examples: Command references, concept explanations, workflow guides
• GitLab Localization Project: Translation of the GitLab interface, making this development platform more accessible to non-English speakers.
  Examples: GitLab UI, documentation, error messages, email templates
• FreeCAD Translation: Translation of CAD modeling software. Examples: UI elements, documentation, workbench-specific terminology
• QGIS Translation: Translation of well-known open source GIS application.
  Examples: QGIS Desktop interface, processing tools, map rendering options, documentation

System Tools#

• Wine Translation: Translate Wine, which enables running Windows applications on Linux and other UNIX-like systems.
  Examples: Wine UI, error messages, configuration tools, compatibility layer
• [Flatpak Documentation][44]: Translate documentation for this new generation Linux package format.
  Examples: User guides, developer documentation, installation instructions
• Syncthing: Translation project for this decentralized file synchronization tool.
  Examples: UI elements, synchronization status messages, settings descriptions
• Transmission: Translation portal for this lightweight BitTorrent client.
  Examples: UI elements, torrent status messages, settings
• Home Assistant: Translate this popular home automation platform.
  Examples: UI elements, device integrations, automation tools
• OpenWrt: Translate this powerful router firmware.
  Examples: Web interface, network configuration tools, package descriptions
• TigerVNC: Translate this VNC server/client implementation.
  Examples: Connection dialogs, settings pages, authentication messages

Databases and Data Management#

• MariaDB/MySQL Documentation: Translate documentation for these popular database systems.
  Examples: SQL reference, administration guides, backup procedures, performance optimization
• MusicBrainz: Contribute to translation of this open music encyclopedia and database.
  Examples: User interface, tagging guidelines, editing tools, documentation

Mobile Applications#

• F-Droid: Translate this alternative app store for Android.
  Examples: App descriptions, category names, settings interface

Documentation and Infrastructure Projects#

• GNU Savannah: Home to many GNU project translations. If you care about core free software tools and applications, start here.
  Examples: GNU Emacs, GCC, GNU Privacy Guard (GPG), GNU Cash, GNU Health
• Man-pages-l10n: Project dedicated to translating Linux manual pages (man pages) to various languages. Essential documentation for command-line users.
  Examples: System call documentation, library function references, configuration file formats
• OpenStreetMap Translator: Contribute translations for this collaborative mapping platform.
  Examples: Editor interface, map legends, wiki documentation, tagging guidelines
• FSFE Translation: Translations related to FSFE projects.

Individual Programs#

Beyond these platforms, you can of course explore your favorite programs to see if they need translation help.

Look for links like “Contribute” or “Translation” on their websites, or check out their GitHub/GitLab repositories for translation files. Another strategy for beginners is to visit AlternativeTo.net to find popular open source programs, and then check if they have complete translations in your language.

Translation processes vary greatly across different projects - some use platforms as listed above, while others might ask you to simply email translated files directly to the developers.