Translation:Guidelines
From OpenLP
Here are some guidelines that translators should follow when using transifex, the translation system, for translating OpenLP into their language.
- Be Consistent
- If you translate a certain word one way initially, as far as possible translate other instances of that word the same way. Keep close to common translations of other applications. Common translations can be found on Open-Tran.
- Translate Meaning, Not Words
- When translating, translate the meaning of the words or phrase, rather than directly translating the actual word. But do not start to explain (see next point).
- Do not Explain
- Do not start to explain the original string in your translation, because this increases the translation's length. However, your are still supposed to translate the meaning and not words, but you translation is not supposed to explain more than there is actually. (The translation is no manual.)
- General Length, Not Actual Length
- The translation does not need to be the same number of words as the original text, but it does need to be a similar length.
- Adhere to Standards, Language Rules Override
- Stick to the string standards as much as possible, but any grammatical or spelling rules for your language override the string standards.
Language (specific) String Standards
The following list links to the language specific string standards. If there is no such page for one translation you can create one, but before you do so discuss about your draft (we want to avoid, that people translate OpenLP using different string standards). If you wish you can write the string standards in the language you are translating to. However, do not hesitate to make any suggestion!
If your language is not in the list, feel free to add it.