Internationalization and Localization

Intro

Definition of both i18n and L10n on wikipedia

Translatable strings are referred to as "messages".

Internationalization

Programmers must take great care that all user-visible strings are translatable. To meet this goal:

• Messages must be complete phrases. For example: Please click here must be a single message, even if "here" is the only linked text. TODO: include example of message with a link

Points of Style

This content should eventually end up in a style guide.

• Example messages describing form buttons: Click "Submit" to submit this form or "Cancel" to abort and return to the main menu.

Localization

We are now using Translatewiki.net.

Translatewiki.net

• All localization must be done via Translatewiki.net.
• They have their own clone of our head repository from sf.net, which should be checked out to the 1.7.x branch.
• Ask for help on the #mediawiki-i18n IRC channel on irc.freenode.net for
  • any issues with Translatewiki.net
  • commit requests (ie: will you please commit messages for Mifos?)
  • pull requests (ie: will you please pull the latest Mifos changes?)
• Got a question? Checkout their FAQ